Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman has acknowledged the major role that seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson played in his achievements at Dover Motor Speedway. Bowman’s success at the 1-mile oval track, known as one of his strongest venues, is partly due to the guidance he received from his former teammate.
Bowman’s record at Dover includes one victory, five top-five finishes, and six top-10 results. In a video shared by ESPN’s Kelly Crandall on X, Bowman reflected on his growth at this track and how learning from Johnson helped elevate his performance.
“I always circle this place. I love this racetrack. I enjoy it. I learned a lot from being teammates with Jimmy here. I was pretty terrible until then, and I learned a lot from him. We went on a run where we didn’t finish outside the top five for forever, like until last year, really. Yeah, it’s been a good place for us,” Alex Bowman said.
Transition to No. 48 Car and Strong Track Performances
Bowman took over driving the No. 48 Chevrolet in 2021 following Johnson’s retirement from full-time Cup Series competition. Since then, at Dover, he has led 142 laps and maintained an average finish of 17.1. In recent years, Bowman has been especially consistent, finishing in the top five in five of his last six starts at the track.
One highlight was his victory in May 2021, where he led 98 laps and fended off teammate Kyle Larson in a close battle. Bowman’s performance solidified his status on a track where Johnson himself boasts an impressive record of 10 wins and nearly 3,000 laps led.
Hendrick Motorsports as a whole has long dominated Dover, accumulating 22 wins, 81 top-five finishes, 127 top-10s, and leading over 7,600 laps through the years.
Confidence Remains High Despite Recent Setbacks
Although Bowman had to sit out the 2023 Cup Series race at Dover due to a back injury from a crash in West Burlington, Iowa, his previous outing at the track showed his resilience. Starting ninth last year, Bowman charged through the field to finish eighth, a strong result despite not leading any laps.
“This is just a place where I feel like maybe it’s a little more natural or maybe I have a better idea of exactly what I need to be successful. I can say that all I want, and we can unload and struggle this weekend, but I feel like it’s a place that I’m pretty confident going to,” Alex Bowman said (via Seedway Digest).
Currently, Bowman stands 12th in the Cup points standings. Although he has yet to secure a win this season, he has earned 10 top-10 finishes and four top-five results. With six races left in the regular season, Bowman sits just above the playoff cutoff line, ahead of competitors like Ryan Preece.
Upcoming Race and Bowman’s Outlook
The AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Cup race at Dover is set to begin at 2 pm ET on Sunday, July 20. Bowman’s strong history at the track and visible confidence suggest he will be a key contender in the event, seeking to add to his tally of wins and top finishes at this venue.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Alex Bowman have a brain injury?
A. “After hurting my back and suffering a brain injury, we haven’t performed well,” Bowman shared on NBC after his victory.
Q. How did Alex Bowman get brain injury?
A. In 2022, Bowman started his season by securing the second position in the qualifying round for the Daytona 500. However, during the race, he crashed on lap 63, colliding with Harrison Burton’s overturning car.