That driver was a consistent top-10 performer in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, netting four top-10s in the season’s opening six races.

Now after a tough middle part of the season, Bowyer appears to be back in strong form.

The latest evidence came in Sunday’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, where he finished seventh to earn his second straight top-10 and sixth in 10 races. That was second to teammate Jeff Burton among Richard Childress Racing drivers.

“It was a good run for our [team],” the RCR driver said. “We are still a little bit off here, but it is a huge step in the right direction.

“We just have to keep plugging away."

Bowyer, who missed NASCAR’s Chase For The Sprint Cup, remained 15th in the standings heading into next Sunday’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“We are getting there; we’re running out of time though,” said Bowyer, who qualified for NASCAR’s 10-race playoff in 2007 and 2008. “There is only one race left.

“All in all it was a good day for us.”

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