Car: #07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Richard Childress Racing
Born: May 30, 1979 in Emporia, Kan.

Career highlights: Bowyer is a rookie in the Nextel Cup series.

• In 2004, Bowyer entered the Busch Series, driving half of the 34 races in the #21 Reese’s Chevrolet (Kevin Harvick drove the other half). He had one pole and seven top tens. His highest finish was a third at Nashville Superspeedway in June.

• In 2005, Bowyer drove a full season in the #2 ACDelco Chevrolet, and it served as his break-out year. He won two races, captured two poles, and finished second in the points standings, losing to Martin Truex Jr. by just 68 points. He ran one Nextel Cup race in 2005, finishing 22nd in the Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

2006 so far ... In 2006, Bowyer will run a full season in the Nextel Cup series, though he continues to run a full-time Busch schedule.