“Looks Like a Pain in the B**t”- Rick Hendrick’s Superstar Divulges Apprehension Behind Working on Next-Gen Cars

Not many are a fan of the Next-Gen cars. While the vehicles are the stock racing organization’s bid to even the field, drivers have, more often than not, expressed concerns about them. A new member of that list is Alex Bowman, who, like many others, isn’t a fan of the sophistication these new-generation cars come with.

“They are so complicated” is what the 30-year-old said on the popular YouTube channel, DIRTRACKR, as he opened up about NASCAR’s NEXT-GEN cars and how the new racecars have got him concerned.

Alex Bowman says he doesn’t want to work on a Next-Gen car

NASCAR has been one promotion that has constantly evolved in terms of driver safety. NASCAR’s Next-Gen platform is also a giant step in that direction, keeping its drivers tucked in safely. Though the cars have now become quite rigid due to the enhanced chassis and frame, the SMT data electronics on board also have made it quite cumbersome to work on. Speaking on the DIRTRACKR, Bowman mentioned this aspect of the new-gen cars, saying, “I mean the engineering side of things, especially with Next-gen, like it’s so different. I kind of felt like I just started to understand how stock cars worked a little bit with previous-gen cars and then throw all that out of the window with this new car so, yeah, they are so different, they’re honestly so complicated.”

I look at a Next-Gen car and I really don’t want to work on it. It just looks really difficult to work on. Everything looks like a pain in the b**t,” said Bowman, stating his concerns.

NASCAR introduced state-of-the-art, most modern driver safety harnesses inside the car following its icon, Dale Earnhardt‘s untimely passing in 2001. This revolution was a major game-changer in racing, quite literally saving lives from fatal head traumas. But a few drivers have expressed their reservations about the Next-Gen cars.

Former NASCAR Cup Series driver and Daytona 500 winner Geoff Bodine believes the parity in next-gen cars had “ruined racing”. Talking to Autoweek he reckoned the series has turned into a business, taking the fun out of racing, berating NASCAR’s current stance on modifications, with small altercations incurring significant penalties.

For Bowman, the Next Gen cars are the least of worries right now. The driver is gearing up for a 2024 Cup comeback after an unsatisfactory performance this year and also opened up about the measures he’s taking this year.

Bowman reveals his plans after the Cup Series

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Though his title aspirations got squashed pretty badly in 2023, while trying a stroke of luck in Sprint car racing, Bowman has confessed his love for dirt tracks. Recently, before he dropped the Next-Gen revelation, Bowman also chimed in with his desire to return to dirt track after his time in the Cup Series.

WATCH THIS STORY: Alex Bowman reveals guilt about how letting Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon down

Speaking specifically about the World of Outlaws Series, Bowman said, “I mean, I think as long as I’m able to. As soon as I’m done Cup racing, I’d love to do the Outlaw tour,“ stated Alex Bowman. “I think the areas of the country that I’ve never been to and that I want to see the life on the road, kind of all of it. I want to do it for sure,” he added.

The driver has made it clear that Cup racing is his number one priority. Owing to that commitment, he has even opted to stay away from the upcoming 2024 Chilli Bowl Nationals. Talking about the decision, Bowman revealed, “I hate that I can’t race more dirt stuff. I think I saw a lot of people think that it was somebody else’s decision, and honestly, like regardless of what anyone else said, the decision was made before I talked to anybody else.” Looks like the #48 driver is all set to prove himself once again in the coming year!

READ MORE: Alex Bowman Shuts Down Speculation Surrounding HMS’ Hand Behind Harsh Dirt Racing Decision