Alex Bowman NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman has experienced the sport from multiple angles, starting with smaller teams like BK Racing and Tommy Baldwin Racing before spending eight seasons with the well-resourced Hendrick Motorsports. He has faced significant challenges, especially in maintaining consistency amid the sport’s increasing competitiveness.
Bowman’s career took a major turn when Dale Earnhardt Jr. personally selected him to succeed him in the No. 88 car after Bowman missed the entire 2017 season without a ride. Bowman had substituted for Earnhardt Junior in 2016 during several races while Junior recovered from a serious concussion.
Even after moments of uncertainty about his future with Hendrick Motorsports—such as after the 2023 season when he missed the playoffs and finished 20th—team owner Rick Hendrick has continuously renewed Bowman’s contract, signaling ongoing trust despite struggles.
What Motivates Alex Bowman to Keep Pushing
When asked by Jeff Gluck of The Athletic about his motivation, Bowman spoke candidly about the daily drive to improve.
“Probably just continuously trying to be better,”
he said. He noted that despite the pressure and competitiveness, it is important to remember this career is a dream come true. Yet, the relentless grind can make racing feel more like work than a passion.
Bowman explained,
“But it’s so hard and so competitive, and there’s so much pressure all the time that it becomes work. And then you think winning solves everything, or winning will make everything better. And it really doesn’t, because you still have to go the next week. You can still get your a** kicked just as bad the next week.”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Ongoing Struggles With Performance Consistency
Consistency has been a notable issue throughout Bowman’s NASCAR Cup Series career, even after joining a top-tier team like Hendrick Motorsports. Although he has won eight Cup races, Bowman’s results can fluctuate drastically from one weekend to another.
For example, during the first 20 races of the 2025 season, Bowman has yet to record a win but showed strong potential by finishing second at Homestead. That was followed by disappointing performances, including 27th at Martinsville, 35th at Darlington, and 37th at Bristol. Similarly, a fifth-place finish at Kansas was overshadowed by finishes of 29th at Charlotte and 36th at both Nashville and Michigan.
Bowman reflected on these ups and downs, saying,
“So it’s just the grind of continuing to try to train harder, find new things, and be faster.”
He acknowledged how the competition level has risen dramatically over the past decade.
He went on to emphasize,
“All the tools we all have access to now, everybody’s gotten so much better and everybody pushes each other. The field is so close. All the cars are the same.”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Cup Series driver
The Rising Challenge of Racing in Today’s Cup Series
Bowman’s comments underline how the NASCAR Cup Series has evolved into an intensely competitive arena with minimal performance gaps separating drivers. Most teams have access to similar technology and resources, raising the standard for every competitor on the track.
The pressure of maintaining top form week after week weighs heavily, as even victory does not guarantee lasting momentum. Bowman’s experience illustrates the fragile balance drivers face in attempting to remain consistent amid ever-increasing demands.
Looking ahead, Bowman’s determination to improve and adapt will be crucial as he strives to secure stronger finishes and regain his footing within Hendrick Motorsports. His candid reflections offer insight into the mental and physical toughness needed to compete in today’s NASCAR Cup Series.