Alex Bowman’s pet adoption outreach in Chicago received an uplifting response from both the motorsports community and local residents, with Jim Zilisch—father of rising racer Connor Zilisch—calling Bowman’s efforts “awesome.” Bowman’s initiative formed a key part of NASCAR’s Chicago activities, highlighting the importance of promoting animal adoption and community engagement during a busy race weekend.
Bowman’s Commitment to Pet Adoption Highlighted During Chicago Visit
As part of NASCAR’s local outreach coinciding with the Chicago Street Race, Bowman visited Chicago Animal Care and Control where he took part in a pet adoption event attended by about 200 people. During his visit, Bowman interacted with shelter animals, encouraging potential pet adopters and supporting charitable causes that resonated strongly with Chicago’s community and NASCAR fans alike. NASCAR backed this initiative by covering all adoption fees for July, aiming to boost pet adoptions throughout the month.
Bowman’s presence reflected the wider set of race weekend activities, which also featured fan gatherings and a charity event. These appearances emphasized the driver’s hands-on approach and his connection to both animal welfare and the local public. The event was well received, with attendees and online followers sharing enthusiasm for a prominent NASCAR figure supporting the city’s animal shelter efforts.
“Some scenes from Alex Bowman’s visit to Chicago Animal Care and Control. In conjunction with the Chicago Street Race, NASCAR is paying for all adoption fees this month from the municipally-run animal shelter.”
—Bob Pockrass, Veteran NASCAR Journalist
Jim Zilisch, replying to coverage of the event and Bowman’s involvement, summed up his opinion simply: “Awesome.” His endorsement mirrored a wider appreciation for sports figures who use their influence for community betterment and charitable work.
Spotlight on Connor Zilisch: Revelations Following His Racing Comeback
Connor Zilisch, recognized as one of America’s talented young racers, has experienced a rapid ascent in the motorsport world since his start in go-karts at age five in Weddington, North Carolina. His early triumphs, such as winning the 2020 Karting Academy Trophy and excelling in the Mazda MX-5 Cup and Trans Am Series TA2 class, established his reputation as a skillful competitor.
After sustaining a back injury during a crash at Talladega Superspeedway’s final lap—which caused him to miss the following Texas event—Zilisch marked his return at the BetMGM 300, held at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2025. He expressed readiness and hopefulness about his comeback:
“I felt really good. Sometimes, it’s good to get a few weeks off and reset. Really proud of this group. We had a really good car today. Just came up a little bit short, but we’ll go get them next week at Nashville and see what we can do there.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver
With Kyle Larson stepping in during his absence and winning at Texas, Zilisch’s own return at Charlotte was impressive—he qualified second and secured a strong runner-up finish behind William Byron, focusing his optimism towards upcoming races, including Nashville.
Community Impact and Future Initiatives in Motorsports
The positive reactions from both the motorsports world and local Chicagoans illustrate how high-profile figures can drive meaningful change beyond the track. Alex Bowman’s pet adoption outreach not only boosted animal adoption efforts at the city shelter but also inspired wider support among fans and peers. Jim Zilisch’s one-word praise highlights the importance of such initiatives, suggesting ongoing value in combining sports visibility with charitable action. The anticipation remains high for future outreach events, as well as for Connor Zilisch’s next chapter as he eyes more podium finishes in upcoming races.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Alex Bowman get a brain injury?
A. In 2022, Bowman started his season strong by qualifying in second place for the Daytona 500. However, during lap 63, he crashed when he hit Harrison Burton’s vehicle that had flipped.
Q. Is Alex Bowman in a relationship?
A. Alex Bowman and his girlfriend, Chloe Henderson, make a great racing pair!
Q. How did Alex Bowman get brain injury?
A. In a NASCAR Cup Series race in 2022, Alex Bowman got a concussion due to a crash. Then, in 2023, he broke his back in a sprint-car accident.
