The empire strikes back

And by "empire" we mean "Clint Bowyer's wife."

The NASCAR driver from Emporia, Kansas, and diehard Kansas Jayhawks fan, put everyone in his rearview mirror Monday in winning the Cup race at Martinsville, delayed a day because of -- yes -- snow. But he couldn't get around his wife, Lorra, who, exhibiting excellent blocking strategy, nixed Bowyer's proposal that  take off to San Antonio next weekend to watch his Jayhawks in the Final Four.

"No," she said.

Every put-upon spouse in America could relate to her reasoning.

"I had my best friend and their two kids here for a week, seven days, and she enlightened me that that was a lot on her plate," hubby explained.

"Enlightened" him. Yeah. I bet she did.

Here's the thing: Because NASCAR doesn't race on Easter, the Bowyer family is headed for a much-deserved vacation (especially for Lorra, no doubt). So when Bowyer asked if he could go to the Final Four, here's what Lorra no doubt heard:

Hey, babe, I know you had to put up with houseguests for an entire week, and you've been looking forward to a vacation as a result, but what do you say I ditch y'all early to go to the Final Four? That'd be cool, right?

Yeaaah. No wonder she said no.

Although she did say if the Jayhawks reach the championship game next Monday, Clint has permission to go.

"I'm not that mean, lol," she tweeted.

Sounds like ol' Clint's a lucky man.