Bowyer sticks with fuel plan over higher-risk move

Clint Bowyer knew what a win would do for his Stewart-Haas Racing team, but he also understood a busted gamble could blow up his season. As such, Bowyer seemed as content as he could be with a fifth-place finish at Watkins Glen International – a finish Bowyer earned by saving fuel to make it to the end, sometimes even having to let his competition go by.

"I don't know. How the hell do you know?" Bowyer said with a small chuckle when asked if he thought he had the right strategy. "I can't see everybody else. You hate to let those cars go by, but you've got to be careful there.

"I don't know if we could have won the race or not – the 78 (Martin Truex Jr.) did, he was kind of within arm's reach, but you could have killed your chances too there. So, probably the right call."

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On the bright side, Bowyer and the No. 14 team battled from the back of the pack to run as high as second in the I LOVE NEW YORK 355. Brake issues during the second round of qualifying forced the team to work on the car and relegated Bowyer to starting at the rear instead of inside the top 12.

A victory Sunday would have locked Bowyer into the playoffs. Instead, Bowyer remains the first driver on the outside of the playoff grid, now 28 points behind Matt Kenseth.

"When you have them there at arm's reach you want to go for it (because) that's the win that will put you into the playoffs right there in front of you – but if you run out of gas, that's the dagger that will probably knock you out for good," Bowyer said.

"It's the right thing. We've just got to keep knocking on the door. Another top five."

In 22 races, Bowyer has earned five top-five finishes. Of the four remaining races in the regular season, Bowyer has won twice at Richmond International Raceway.