MWR talking to Clint Bowyer about joining team

JOLIET, Ill. – Michael Waltrip Racing is in active discussions with free agent Clint Bowyer.

Both Bowyer and team co-owner Michael Waltrip said Friday at Chicagoland Speedway that they are talking about a deal. Waltrip says the discussions are "very productive."

Bowyer is in the final year of his contract with Richard Childress Racing, and talks on an extension deteriorated over the last month.

Bowyer now is talking to other teams and says MWR would be "a good home."

It's not clear if Bowyer would be added to the MWR driver lineup to create a new third team, or if he would replace David Reutimann in the No. 00 Toyota.

Reutimann has another year left on his contract.