Alex Bowman‘s journey through the ranks of NASCAR took a decisive turn thanks to Dale Earnhardt Jr., who recognized Bowman’s potential and advocated for his advancement within the sport. Bowman, known for his reliability and steady improvement even if not matching the win totals of teammates like Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, or William Byron, owes much of his rise to this opportunity—an important focus in NASCAR history.
In 2016, during a period when Earnhardt Jr. was forced to the sidelines due to injury, he recommended Bowman as his replacement in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports seat. This suggestion not only led Bowman to fill in at a crucial moment, but ultimately paved his path to a permanent ride with the organization. Bowman himself has recognized the significance of this moment in shaping his racing career, a topic he discussed in a recent HOT ROD Pod interview.
Early Career and Struggles Before Hendrick Motorsports
Bowman began his Cup Series run in 2014, driving the No. 23 Toyota for BK Racing, a lesser-known and under-resourced team. The next season, he moved on to Tommy Baldwin Racing, but neither stop produced significant results for the young driver, who at the time was still searching for consistency and an opportunity to shine among NASCAR’s elite.
During a pivotal interaction with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bowman reflected on the importance of the chance he received, recalling specific events that led to his breakthrough:
“I qualified next to Dale at like Richmond, I think, and we were riding around the truck pre-race together, talking about I was trying to get in some good Xfinity cars at the end of that year and have some good races cuz running for small teams was definitely rough.”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver
A Fortunate Turn of Events: Entry into JRM and Hendrick Motorsports
Bowman credits an opening at JR Motorsports (JRM) late that season for giving him a needed break:
“He had some openings at JRM the end of that year that I was able to get into. Kind of took off from there.”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver
It was a mixture of timing and circumstance. When Earnhardt Jr. suffered an injury, the vacancy allowed Bowman to step up as a substitute. At the time, Bowman was already involved with Hendrick Motorsports as a simulator driver, and Earnhardt Jr.’s endorsement carried considerable weight with the team’s leadership. Bowman described just how pivotal this support was:
“So obviously, crazy set of circumstances, with him getting hurt. I was driving the Sim for Hendrick at the time. Dale was a big supporter of mine and called me and kind of forced Hendrick to use me…”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver
Despite late notice, Bowman embraced the pressure and opportunity:
“I feel like, because we all found out so late. But super fortunate to get to fill in for him and then share the car with some guy named Jeff Gordon for the rest of the year, which was wild to me. And somehow I’m still here.”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver
Recent Performance and Perseverance Through Setbacks
Bowman’s career at Hendrick Motorsports has since been marked by steady performance, with his latest win at the Chicago Street race in 2024 ending a lengthy drought. Despite missing the 2023 playoffs following a back injury from a sprint car accident, Bowman has remained a consistent competitor, failing to make the postseason in only one of his nine campaigns with HMS. Last year, he overcame injuries to secure 13th place in points, with a notable top finish at the historic NASCAR Cup Series debut in Mexico City, where he surged from 29th on the grid to take fourth at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Team Endorsement and Future Prospects in the Evolving NASCAR Landscape
Leaders like Jeff Gordon continue to express faith in Bowman’s talents and believe he can grow even further within Hendrick Motorsports. As Bowman acclimates to NASCAR’s latest vehicle updates, especially the new Chevrolet body and increased horsepower, the team’s confidence will soon be tested by the results in the coming season. With his reputation for adaptation and resilience, Bowman’s future—initially unlocked through Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s timely support—remains a focal point for both fans and the organization as competitive pressures continue to rise.
