The Hendrick Motorsports Nashville Superspeedway race challenges Alex Bowman in ways few tracks have before, as the Cup Series heads to the 1.33-mile Tennessee oval for the season‘s 14th event on Sunday, June 1. Bowman, currently 10th in the championship, has yet to crack the top 14 at this venue, intensifying both his motivation and the pressure facing his team.
Bowman’s Struggles and Hopes at Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway has historically been a tough battleground for Alex Bowman. In his four previous starts at the track, the Arizona native’s best result has been 14th, with his other finishes being 36th, 17th, and another 14th after an impressive qualifying position of eighth in 2021. Despite this, Bowman remains determined to change his fortunes at the intermediate circuit.
He described the unique demands of the track, saying,
“Nashville is a really tough place,” explained Bowman. “The concrete surface makes it feel totally different from most of the tracks we go to. It’s slick, it changes a lot during the race, and it doesn’t give you much forgiveness. But it’s a cool atmosphere with the fans and the city close by.”
With the Cracker Barrel 400 approaching, Bowman expressed hope that Hendrick Motorsports can overturn their recent struggles at Nashville, emphasizing a renewed effort with their car preparation and race strategy.
“We haven’t had the results we want there yet, but we’re bringing a fast Ally Chevy and hoping to turn that around this weekend,” he added.
As the event approaches, Joey Logano stands as the defending track champion, ready to assert his dominance while Bowman and the rest of the field aim to shift the narrative. Fans eager to catch every lap can tune in live via Amazon Prime Video or follow the action on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio starting at 7 pm ET.
Fan Controversy and Heated Words After Charlotte
Tensions erupted between Hendrick Motorsports supporters and Joe Gibbs Racing following last weekend’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Some fans accused Denny Hamlin of interfering with William Byron’s performance, a claim Hamlin forcefully disputed.
On the Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin lashed out at his critics, stating,
“What the f*** are people watching? I was behind him (Byron) when he stepped on his d***.” —Denny Hamlin, Driver
During the incident, Hamlin, hailing from Tampa, was finishing his own race after running out of fuel and making an extra pit stop. He clarified that, despite claims, he was in no position to jeopardize Byron’s result, as he was not contending for position at that stage. Instead, he allowed both Byron and the eventual winner, Ross Chastain, to pass him uninhibited into Turn 1.
Further defending himself, Hamlin questioned the logic of such accusations, remarking,
“What are these people watching? How can I hold him up when I’m behind him? How can people be that dumb? If you said that, you’re an idiot. I mean, that is asinine.” —Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin ultimately finished 16th, while Byron secured a second-place result. The heated exchange underscored the emotional stakes and conflicting perspectives that accompany close competition at this stage of the NASCAR Cup Series season.
Looking Toward the Cracker Barrel 400
With the next race set at Nashville Superspeedway, much of the spotlight falls on Bowman’s determination to end his underwhelming record on the Tennessee track. Both Bowman and Byron have each achieved a top-three and a top-10 finish at Nashville in recent years, demonstrating that improvement is possible under the right circumstances.
The upcoming race not only puts Hendrick Motorsports and their rivals in the national spotlight but also tests the resilience of drivers amidst growing fan scrutiny and intense competition. How teams and drivers respond to these pressures at the Cracker Barrel 400 could have significant ramifications for the remainder of the Cup Series season, with championship standings and reputations hanging in the balance.
