An often used expression when discussing a driver mired in a slump is, "He didn't forget how to drive."

In this most recent case, I heard it used in describing Clint Bowyer's struggles of late. We all have heard it, and I probably used it a few years back in describing Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s headwinds. And I lived it a few times in my driving career, where another competitor and I would cross paths and they would offer, "Keep your head up, it's not like you've forgotten how to drive."

Well, guess what?

You actually can forget how to drive, or at least it feels as though.

Every driver I know has experienced a slump, some level of adversity in their career. It's inevitable, and the best usually survive, because the short duration of their poor performance prevents them from incorporating bad habits.

It's when you've had an extended period of underachieving that the crisis is created.

It begins with what is described as "over driving," or driving beyond the car's capabilities.

It's when you no longer have control of your car's attitude.

Then, over time, it graduates to a point that you're guilty of "under driving" (you're overthinking driving a race car, instead of instinctively driving the race car) so now the car has taken control of your attitude and you no longer trust it, nor can you predict if it is about to slide the front tires, slide the rear tires, or both.

You're lost, and the information (or lack thereof) you deliver to your crew chief confirms it. From there the downward spiral continues.

It's a miserable experience, but like Dale Earnhardt Jr., it's something a good driver can, and should survive.

Kyle Busch is the complete opposite of what I just described.

He clearly hasn't forgotten how to drive. In fact, Kyle is the hottest driver in our sport.

When a driver is winning races, it's amazing how simple the process seems.

Everything is free flowing, and without obstruction. Your attitude, your communication with the team, even your sleep improves. It's simply an ultimate "frame of mind."

Inside the race car, everything slows down for you. The car doesn't surprise you, because you are ahead of it, you are in control, you are driving it.

It's crazy how you can perform at your best in a race car and not remember it.

That's exactly how it was for me on the final half lap of my 2003 Darlington win against Kurt Busch. Moments after the race, I struggled to remember all that I did in those final 15 seconds with my hands and feet. It's because I was driving on instinct.

Denny Hamlin described the same exact circumstance a short time after winning this year's Daytona 500.

Denny made every correct decision in the final half lap, but remembers little of it.

It's because he entered a level of concentration and focus that is difficult to obtain, and impossible to retain, exclusively.

It's where Kyle Busch is in a race car right now, regardless of the track, regardless of the vehicle.

Kyle Busch doesn't seem to be having any trouble maintaining his groove right now. Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Kyle Busch is relaxed, composed and in complete control.

Clint Bowyer is not, at least he is not all three, and all three are required to win!

The bottom line

Clint Bowyer is a good driver, he will survive.

But the road back to becoming an instinctive driver may be a ways away.

It may require a new environment, a fresh start, where he can reboot his hard drive and simplify the process.

Clint will have that with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2017, something I'm certain keeps him inspired and motivated through this current and difficult tenure.

If I were coaching Clint, I would have him call Dale Earnhardt Jr., or perhaps Roger Penske or Jack Roush (Stewart Haas will compete with Fords next year). Get contracts to run three Xfinity Series races ASAP, because the clearest way back to remembering how to drive is getting aboard a fast horse in a short race.

A fast, comfortable, race car provides much-needed therapy for a struggling race car driver.

That car helps more than anything else on the planet to unlock the door leading to your natural ability.

Not all drivers need this practice, but not all good drivers experience a trough as deep as what Clint may be experiencing.

In this case, a few Saturday races aboard a proven car could go a long way in helping a good driver remember how to drive.