On June 12, FOX Sports broadcast their final NASCAR Cup Series race for the 2022 season At Sonoma Raceway.  Continuing their series of guest commentators, FOX brought in Hall of Fame driver Tony Stewart who won his last race at Sonoma Raceway. 

Also in the broadcast booth was longtime FOX commentator and former crew chief Larry McReynolds.  But the one person missing from the broadcast booth was former driver Clint Bowyer.  FOX Sport announcer Mike Joy explained the absence as Boyer was taking car of a “personal matter”.

While there has been a great deal of speculation as to just exactly why Bowyer was missing; speculations that even included Bowyer being let go from FOX Sports.

It has since been revealed that Bowyer’s “personal matter” involved a fatal automobile accident.  After leaving the racetrack at World Wide Technology Raceway, Bowyer was driving west on US highway 54 on his way to Missouri highway 242 when he struck a woman who was awalking along the ramp.

According to police, Bowyer stopped immediately upon realizing he had hit something and called first responders himself; pointing out the victim upon their arrival.  An onsite breathalyzer test showed Bowyer’s alcohol level was 0.000.

The woman, Mary Jane Simmons, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The 43 year old Simmons was found with a crystalline substance that is believed to be methamphetamine.  Police believe that she may have been under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the accident.

Bowyer’s car suffered some heavy damage to the windshield on the driver’s side.

Bowyer has issued a statement on the event saying, “anyone that knows me, knows that family is everything to me.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Ms. Simmons. This is a very difficult time for my family and I, please respect our privacy as we move forward.”

FOX has also issued a statement saying, “we are deeply saddened by the news of this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”

Bowyer spent 16 years as a Cup Series driver where he won 10 races in 541 starts including a race at Sonoma.