Bowman: Darlington speed proves Hendrick “strength”
Even a more than two-month break didn’t appear to slow down Alex Bowman.
Bowman, one of three drivers to win races before the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series was put on hiatus in mid-March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, picked up where he left off when NASCAR resumed racing Sunday at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
Bowman remained in contention throughout the race for the win, leading 41 of the 293 laps before ending up second behind eventual race winner Kevin Harvick.
“I felt great the way we started the season. Unloading in Las Vegas, I think we saw our race cars were going to be really strong,” Bowman said. “To continue that after we got shut down and firing everything back up, to continue the strength that we had means a lot.”
All four Hendrick Motorsports cars once again showed plenty of speed – just as they had started the season.
Chase Elliott finished in the top-five with Bowman, while Jimmie Johnson and William Byron both drove into the top-five before getting sidelined during the race as a result of incidents on the track.
“I feel like all the intermediate [tracks] this season have been a big statement for us. Chase was probably the best car in Vegas. We had a great car in Fontana,” Bowman said of the site of his second career victory. “Then to come here and have four really fast cars, it’s awesome.
“It’s really different than how we started the season the last two years. I feel like our cars, the biggest thing, when we’re off a little bit, we’re not running 20th anymore. If we have a bad run, we fall back to eighth.
“I think that shows a lot about the strength of HMS right now. We’re just going to keep gaining on it.”
After five races, Bowman sits second in the series standings. And with another race schedule for Darlington on Wednesday night, he doesn’t see any reason why he can’t contend for another victory.
“I think definitely the teams that were good (Sunday) are going to be good on Wednesday night. The track is going to be a little different, probably a little more rubbered up. Hopefully the rain stays away,” he said.
“It’s definitely going to be different. The invert (of the lineup) and everything is going to be quite a bit different. I think the guys that were good are going to be good again but the invert might help some guys in clean air that we didn’t see this week.”
Bowman’s performance Sunday also served as a reminder of the confidence team owner Rick Hendrick has in the 27-year-old driver.
On Saturday morning, Bowman announced on his social media channels that he had signed another one-year contract extension that will keep him at HMS through the 2021 season.
“Obviously, my career has changed significantly since coming over to HMS and they gave me a big break and I’m very appreciate for that,” Bowman said. “So, really enjoying it, glad to have that squared away and just ready to go try to win some more races.”
Opinion: How NASCAR led the world to arrive at the ‘new normal’
Rain threatens to halt NASCAR's return to action
Rolex 24: Ganassi Cadillacs top final GTP practice at Daytona
Renger van der Zande produced fastest lap for Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac in the new GTP class’s final systems check before tomorrow’s 61st Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
Harvick still 'the guy' at SHR, but Briscoe finding his voice
It wasn’t that long ago Chase Briscoe was just hoping to secure a fulltime ride in the NASCAR Cup Series and he could soon be the veteran driver at one of the sport’s top organizations.
WEC assessing Sebring alternative for US round from 2024
The FIA World Endurance Championship has admitted that it is examining alternatives to Sebring for the US round of the series from 2024.
Taylor: "Worn out" error reset button better than Rolex 24 limp mode
Ricky Taylor has zero worries over the pace of the new Acura ARX-06, but believes the new GTP cars will encounter several sensor issues over the course of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
Saddled with uncompetitive Minardi machinery, Tarso Marques didn't manage to score points in his three partial seasons of Formula 1. But now the Brazilian has the chance to show what he can do in NASCAR, and explains the story of his comeback with new Cup Series entrant Team Stange
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
NASCAR’s new stock car generation is encouraging an influx of fresh blood into its top tier. But there are concerns that parts are in short supply as the entire paddock tries to build up stocks at the same time
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
After holding his nerve and hip-checking his teammate on the run to the line, Austin Cindric made a perfect start to life as a full-timer in the NASCAR Cup Series by winning the Daytona 500. Here's how the Penske Ford man emerged first across the line in the first points-scoring race for the much-anticipated Next Generation cars
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
There are plenty of uncertainties ahead of the 2022 NASCAR Cup season as an all-new fleet of cars take to the track for the first time. Ahead of this weekend's Daytona 500, our experts explain what you need to know
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival
The NASCAR Cup kicks off with the Daytona 500 this weekend, but a major engine overhaul and a subsequent mountain of work has been required to be ready for the arrival of the Next Gen cars.
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
From villain to hero, Kyle Larson had to reach his lifelong goal the hard way and go through a very public shaming after a ban for using a racial slur, but his talents shone long before his name grabbed the headlines...
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
It’s not just Formula 1 that’s set for upheaval in 2022, as the NASCAR Cup series adopts its Next Gen cars that will cast any in-built advantages aside and require teams to adopt a totally new way of operating. Far more than just a change of machinery, the new cars amount to a shift in NASCAR's core philosophy
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Bubba Wallace claimed his maiden NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega on Monday to become the first Black victor in the category since Wendell Scott in 1963. Both Wallace and Scott had faced obstacles and racism in their paths to their breakthrough wins, and NASCAR is trying to put it right with its range of diversity programmes
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.