Childress sounds as if Bowyer won't return in 2012

[September 09, 2011]  RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- It doesn't sound as if Clint Bowyer will be back with Richard Childress Racing.

The team owner said Thursday a new contract with Bowyer has not been ruled out, but spoke of Bowyer in the past tense in an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Childress said Bowyer has other options available to him, and he could not get all the details worked out on a new deal with the driver.

Bowyer has repeatedly said he wants a three-year extension to stay at RCR, but talks have deteriorated.

Bowyer said Childress' comments on Sirius were "fair" and he's still trying to put a deal together for next season.

Bowyer made his Sprint Cup Series debut with RCR in 2005. He's won four races in 206 career starts.

[Associated Press; By JENNA FRYER]

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