With a string of fantastic results in recent weeks, Alex Bowman is at an all-time high. He hasn’t finished lower than third in his last two races, winning the 2024 Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course to secure a place in the playoffs. Granted, being in a team like Hendrick Motorsports has its perks, not only because of his on-track performance but also because of the stability he enjoys off-track as well, which undoubtedly makes all the difference in getting the best out of his talent.

On the other hand, with Stewart-Haas Racing ceasing operations at the end of the 2024 season, not every driver has been as fortunate. Recognizing his privilege to be a part of Rick Hendrick’s team, Alex Bowman expressed empathy for his colleagues who have been through an emotional roller coaster with the Silly Season.

Alex Bowman feels settled at Hendrick Motorsports

Stewart-Haas Racing’s decision to shut down affected the NASCAR community as a whole. Not only did one of the most iconic teams in the sport close its doors after 16 years, but it also meant that many talented professionals were forced to look for a new job. Among them were Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, Josh Berry, and Ryan Preece in the NASCAR Cup Series. While three out of the four have already found seats for next season, Preece remains in the hunt for a spot in NASCAR’s top tier.

On season 2, episode 24, of Rubbin Is Racing, Alex Bowman spoke about the drivers at Stewart-Haas Racing, “Yeah, I mean, going through that stuff is really difficult obviously. I’ve gone through it at different times in my career. Those situations aren’t much fun, right? Trying to find the next thing is always difficult. There’s only 36 seats really. There’s way more than 36 talented racecar drivers out there. And there’s only 36 Cup seats. Definitely difficult situation for those guys.”

Recognizing his privilege at Rick Hendrick’s team, Alex Bowman went on to say, “It definitely feels good to have a home with Hendrick Motorsports and with Ally. Regardless of what Twitter says, not be worried about it. Just know that they have my back and we’re on track and winning races I just have to focus on going and doing my job.”

Given the circumstances that Stewart-Haas Racing drivers found themselves in, it’s not surprising that Bowman called it a “difficult situation”. Josh Berry, who was participating in his rookie Cup Series season, was forced to drive for a new job under very limited resources at Stewart-Haas Racing. Noah Gragson went through a difficult time at Legacy Motor Club in 2023, hoping to put that behind him at Stewart-Haas Racing, only to be forced out and join Front Row Motorsport. Meanwhile, Chase Briscoe, who is expecting twins, faced a “nightmare-type scenario” in terms of job security before he got a seat at Joe Gibbs Racing.

In comparison, Alex Bowman has had a very stable season. The 31-year-old is currently ranked 10th in the driver standings, with six top-5 results and twelve top-10 finishes. With five races remaining until the regular season ends, Bowman appears to be hitting his stride at just the right time. With NASCAR heading to Indianapolis Motor Speedway after a three-year break from the oval layout, the Hendrick Motorsports driver has a realistic possibility of securing his second win of the season.

Bowman credits Rick Hendrick’s team for breaking the winless streak

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Before the race in Chicago, Alex Bowman was on a grueling 80-race winless streak. It began in 2022 when Bowman was forced to retire due to a concussion after a crash at the Texas Motor Speedway. As a result, the Hendrick Motorsports driver was forced out of five races, and the lack of momentum caught up with him in the 12th round, leading to an elimination. Fast forward to 2023, and Alex Bowman flipped his Sprint Car at 34 Raceway in Iowa. The accident resulted in a fractured vertebra, and the driver couldn’t make it to the playoffs.

While he may not be at risk of losing his seat, Bowman has faced difficulties in his career as well. Which is why Bowman gave credit to his team for the victory in Chicago. Speaking on Dale Jr. Download, Bowman said, “To be able to do that meant a lot. Obviously to have Mr. H (Rick Hendrick) and Ally align and everybody stick behind me through some really difficult times. Super appreciative for the opportunity. Yeah to break the winless streak to get Blake his first win as a crew chief. To be able to overcome that means the world to me.”

With five races remaining until the playoffs begin in Atlanta, Alex Bowman will look to end the regular season on a high. The 31-year-old has momentum on his side to finish higher in the driver standings, and with the backing of Hendrick Motorsports behind him, he is already a force to be reckoned with. Going by his current form, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bowman make it deep into the playoffs.

What are your thoughts about Alex Bowman’s season so far? Let us know in the comments!