Emporia honors NASCAR's Bowyer with street name

NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer has donated thousands of dollars in his Kansas hometown in recent years, and now Emporia is showing its thanks.

Bowyer's racing career began on a practice track at Flint Hills Towing on Emporia's Graham Street. This week, he was on hand as the city unveiled a sign adding the honorary label, Clint Bowyer Boulevard.

Two years ago, Bowyer established the 79 Fund with the Emporia Community Foundation to help Emporians in need. The fund has helped a city cleanup project and the city Arts Council's building fund, and this month provided 20 Christmas trees to needy families and shoes for 85 children.

Bowyer says he's humbled by the street sign, and promises that his fund's work has just begun.