
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 16, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (48) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Feb 16, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (48) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Bowman came off a strong finish at last weekend’s wild Bristol race. Despite being one of the younger racers, Bowman warmed up well to the challenges of the Food City 500 race. He supervised tire management while his crew chief managed pit strategy. Overall, the teamwork paid off, and Bowman scored his second top 5 spot this season. Now the duo is setting their sights on upcoming races.
Bowman’s team is gearing up for a grand showdown at Martinsville, a track close to Rick Hendrick’s heart. Geoff Bodine won there in 1984, saving Hendrick’s racing team from shutting down. Bowman also has a Martinsville victory under his belt. But he is determined to make this race more about himself and not his team.
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Alex Bowman directs the spotlight to himself
Alex Bowman is in a race against time to get his first win of the season. His last Cup victory came in the 2022 Spring race in Las Vegas. At the beginning of 2023, he led the Cup Series point standings and looked to fish out his next win. But a sprint car crash in late April cut short Bowman’s pursuit, derailing his entire 2023 season efforts.
Now, in 2024, Bowman is entirely focused on snagging wins to restore his name in NASCAR circles. Hendrick cars will be painted in a special ruby red shade at Martinsville Speedway, with Jeff Gordon and Geoff Bodine acting as the co-grand marshals. However, Bowman is intent on his personal glory rather than the team’s.
“It’s more just wanting to win and wanting to get back to performing how I know we can,” Bowman said. “Selfishly, I don’t really care what other people think. I don’t want only to win races because I drive for Hendrick Motorsports, I want to win races for me. I want the trophies for me.”

via Getty
FONTANA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 29: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Cincinnati Chevrolet, walks on the grid before qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on February 29, 2020 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Alex Bowman further stressed his point, highlighting the bumpy road so far. “I don’t really give a f**k about the rest of it. Running how we have has been so frustrating. I’ve worked super hard and done everything that I can to get back to where we need to be. So, I don’t feel outside pressure, it’s just me wanting to win for me.”
Alex Bowman owns seven Cup victories in total, and it may not be long before he scores his eighth under the aegis of an efficient crew chief.
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No. 48 Hendrick crew chief is confident about Bowman’s imminent glory
Alex Bowman got on board with Hendrick Motorsports way back in 2017, but he was paired with crew chief Blake Harris recently in 2022. Despite Harris’ relatively fresh start as a crucial pit member, he has been forming a good rapport with Bowman. After fantastic teamwork at Bristol Motor Speedway, Harris is optimistic about his ventures with Bowman.
“I love working with him,” Harris said. “No, it hasn’t gone the way we’ve wanted, but we’ve had opportunities to win races. We might not be where we want to be every week, but we’ve had plenty of times we’ve been in the mix, and things just haven’t fallen our way. When it does click and it does go our way, I think it’ll be fine, and we can get on a roll.”
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With a hardworking crew chief having his back, it may only be a matter of time until Alex Bowman gets back to Victory Lane.
Read More: Alex Bowman Bears the Fruit of His ARCA Roots to Shine On Goodyear’s Bristol Hurdle
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