Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia

Bowman seeks advice from Earnhardt ahead of race day

Alex Bowman is leaning on Dale Earnhardt Jr. for advice ahead of the best opportunity he's ever had in his NASCAR career.

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Action Sports Photography

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman
Alex Bowman, JR Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Bowman will be piloting the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet's in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Earnhardt is recovering from what has been described as "concussion-like symptoms."

Bowman's on-track relationship with Dale Jr. dates back to 2014 when he drove for his Xfinity team in two races. This year, he is running a partial schedule for the team again, scoring two top fives and five top tens in five appearances thus far.

On the Cup side, he qualified in 20th position for this weekend's race. In practice, he's struggled to ffnd the handle on the car, continuously searching for forward drive. In single-lap speeds, he posted the 13th, 24th and 22nd best times in the three practice sessions. 

At one point, he followed six-time series champion and his new teammate Jimmie Johnson. "I was looser in," he told the team afterwards. "Watching how the No. 48 got into the corner, I couldn't do that. And because I was chasing it in, it hurt the center."

Besides following the likes of Jimmie Johnson around, Bowman actually spoke with Earnhardt in length Friday night for some advice.

"I feel like he had some good advice. We still struggled with short run speed. Long run speed wasn't bad. Ran behind (Hamlin) for 20 or so laps so feel like we're decent there. I feel like we're definitely poised for a solid day."

It was a tough Xfinity race for the young driver, getting into it with Ty Dillon, who didn't have some very kind things to say about his fellow driver. But Bowman is dealing with it like a veteran.

"Obviously he's upset, (but) he'll get over it someday.

"Plenty of other people have had drama with another driver and then they're over it in the next week. So for sure, I'm focussed on tomorrow. We walk out of this room and I'm not really worried about what happened on the race track today."

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Franchitti says Earnhardt Jr. made right call over concussion
Next article Rick Hendrick on Earnhardt: "We want him around for a long time"

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia