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Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

Clint Bowyer returns home for a major career milestone.

In Saturday night’s 5-Hour Energy 400, the Emporia, Kansas, native will make his 300th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start. Bowyer will look to become the next driver to win in his 300th start. His good friend Denny Hamlin did it on Sunday at Talladega.

Four others have accomplished the feat: NASCAR Hall of Famers Ned Jarrett and Rusty Wallace, and Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch.

Bowyer will be racing with an extra added level of security this weekend. Michal Waltrip Racing (MWR) announced this week that it had signed a multiyear contract extension with sponsor 5-Hour Energy, Bowyer and crew chief Brian Pattie. The new deal begins with the 2015 season and the length of the agreement was not disclosed.

"This is big news for all of us,” said Bowyer, who is an eight-time winner in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition. "It creates great stability and excitement about what the next few years can bring. MWR is my racing home and continuing this relationship with 5-Hour Energy was a high priority. It's time to put the paperwork in a drawer and focus on winning."

Bowyer, who sits 18th in driver points, is currently winless on the season.

In unrelated news this week, Bowyer announced on Twitter that he and his wife of two weeks are expecting their first child, a son, according to an ultrasound taken this week.