Driver: Billy Bowden
Car: #16 Street Stock
Hometown: Escanaba, Michigan
Born in Escanaba, Michigan, Billy Bowden is the driver of the number 16 Street Stock at the Advanced Auto Parts Upper Peninsula International Raceway. In his third year of racing, Bowden has found success early in his new car, winning his first feature ever at UPIR’s opening event. Although it is his third year racing a car, racing has been a part of his life since he was born. Whether it be racing bikes with the neighborhood kids of Sheridan Road or building remote control cars, Bowden has always had an affinity for speed and competition.
Billy Bowden, however, isn’t the only member of his family to be involved in racing. In fact, the racing lineage in the Bowden family can be traced back through Billy’s father, Brian, to Billy’s grandfather who worked on modified in the 1960s. Even today Bowden has family members at the track with his cousin, Gunnar Hansen, racing in the Sportsmen Micro Sprint division.
“Racing has always been a family thing,” Bowden said with father Brian nodding in agreement.
Billy wouldn’t have it any other way, though. Surely, in his three years of driving his favorite racing memory would be his first feature win in front of a hometown crowd. Or maybe it would be his third place finish at Luxemburg. In reality, both of those pale in comparison to simply being at the racetrack with his dad.
“What’s really special is all the time I get to spend with Dad,” remarked Bowden, “To me, that’s the best thing about all of this.”
Bowden plans to run the entirety of the 2019 schedule at the Advanced Auto Parts Upper Peninsula International Raceway, with possibly running at a few other places in between race dates in Escanaba.
Billy would like to thank his sponsors, Mark Wirhanowicz and Edwards Collision Center, Kevin Robitaille of Sayklly’s Candies and Support Autism Awareness, along with Todd Nelson and Pomp’s Tire. He would also like to thank all of his supporter’s and race fans.
By Todd Rose