Bowyer wins first his Nextel Cup race

LOUDON, N.H., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Clint Bowyer Sunday won his first Nextel Cup race, in the opening event of the 10-race "Chase for the Nextel Cup" at the New Hampshire International Speedway.

Bowyer, the No.07 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet driver, made just his 64th start and crossed the finish line 6.469 seconds ahead of Jeff Gordon in the Sylvania 300.

The win helped Bowyer move from 12th and last in the "Chase" to fourth.

Bowyer, who won the Sylvania 300 pole Friday, brought the field to the green flag for 300 laps around the 1.058-mile NHIS oval.