"You decided that for yourself" - When Jeff Gordon took a jibe at Clint Bowyer as they reflected on championship costing NASCAR rivalry

The Penultimate races of the 2012 Sprint Cup Series championship will always be remembered for Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer's on and off-the-track fights. While Brad Keselowski claimed the title that season, he was partly overshadowed by Gordon and Bowyer's scuffle, which cost them their championships. Speaking via NASCARonFOX in 2021, both former drivers reflected on the fateful day in Phoenix.

During the 2012 AdvoCare 500 that took place at Phoenix Raceway, Gordon and Bowyer got involved in an on-track fight. The fight soon escalated to off-track, and team officials, including pit crews, were involved.

It was the penultimate race of the 2012 Cup Series season — the 35th of the year, and the ninth of the 10-race Sprint Cup competition. Kevin Harvick claimed the victory at Phoenix that day, but Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer snatched the attention with their fight.

Gordon and Bowyer took a trip down memory lane in 2021 with Fox Sports when they recalled the turn of events on that day in 2012. It was the day both drivers lost their championship chance which was ultimately won by Keselowski.

"There's your side, and there's my side, and then my side's right, then there's the truth," Bowyer said on NASCAR on Fox's YouTube channel. "Your side is literally out of your mind."

Upon hearing Bowyer's comment, Gordon replied,

"No way in hell you were gonna win that championship, boy you made sure of that, didn't you?" Gordon stated. "Oh no no, that's not what I decided, you decided that for yourself. " (0:17-0:47)

Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer could not do much for themselves in the season-ending race at Homestead. As a result, Brad Keselowski picked the title ahead of Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson, and 10th-placed Gordon.

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What happened in the 2012 AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix?

The 319-lap race at Phoenix International Speedway took place on November 11, 2012. Kyle Busch of Joe Gibbs Racing started the race from the pole and led most laps in the race. It was the penultimate race of the season and was of utmost importance for playoff drivers Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, and Brad Keselowski, among a few others.

With nine laps to go, Bowyer made contact with the rear of Gordon's car. Soon after, he made another contact with Gordon's front and sent him into the barrier. This has come after Gordon allegedly slowed down to return the action on Bowyer.

Upon realizing this, NASCAR decided to park him for the rest of the race. Once he learned about the penalty, Gordon slowed down and waited for Bowyer to come back. In Lap 311, Gordon made contact with Bowyer's rear, sending him into the wall.

Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer (15) and driver Jeff Gordon (24) during the AAA Texas 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Following this, NASCAR summoned Jeff Gordon, his crew chief and team owner to inquire about his actions. Before Gordon made it to the NASCAR hauler, Clint Bowyer's pit crew confronted Gordon, resulting in a short scuffle, prompting Gordon's crew to join in.

Nobody was injured in the resulting confrontation. That was not all, as Bowyer decided to confront Gordon near the paddock area once again, but failed after officials intervened. Following the race, NASCAR fined the Hendrick Motorsports driver $100,000, 100 driver's points, and his crew chief $50,000.

Clint Bowyer's crew chief reportedly received a $35,000 fine for swearing on TV, and Rick Hendrick $5,000 for failing to control his driver. Kevin Harvick won the race, ahead of Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch.