Bryana Heath
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Coke Zero Sugar 400
July 7, 2019
This past weekend NASCAR headed south to the World Center of Racing otherwise known as Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero Sugar 400. The crews however did not gain a very warm welcome with rain in the forecast for almost the whole time they were scheduled to be there. With the 2020 schedule moving the Daytona race from the week of the fourth to the last race of the regular season, Mother Nature showed she had something to say about that.
Practice day seemed to be a nice day, at least for a little while until weather in the area cut the first session short. Alex Bowman was able to keep his speed in the top 15 for the first practice session. Second practice seemed to show faster speeds for the No. 88 moving from 200.263mph to 201.911mph, but he dropped on the leader board to P22 as other cars picked up speed as well.
Next up was qualifying. It was scheduled for July 5, however with lightning becoming present in the area, qualifying was canceled and the field was set due to owners points. This placed Bowman to start the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in P9.
After taking Sunday's green flag, Bowman quickly fell back in the pack placing him into the top 20 with handling issues. He would finish stage 1 in P29. Because of this, the team tried to fix the issues on pit road.
In stage 2, Bowman and the team placed themselves into the top 15 to start and quickly gained ground, moving into the top 10 and gaining as far as P4 by lap 66. Following a caution with 22 laps remaining in the second segment, Bowman once again showed he was hungry for another win, moving past his teammates, Chase Elliott and William Byron, to place himself into P2. He held this position through one more restart with 14 laps to go. The No. 88 team finished segment 2 in what seems to be Bowman’s position, P2 gaining 9 more playoff points.
When segment three began, Bowman raced his way just outside the top 10 until getting caught up in a multi-vehicle accident on lap 118. This caused damage all around the Valvoline Chevy and caused the team to bring Bowman down pit road multiple times for repairs.
This forced the team to have to restart at the back of the pack before cars were called down pit road with severe weather in the area.
NASCAR made the decision to bring out a countdown clock for lightning. After half an hour passed, drivers were called back to their cars.
As soon as drivers climbed back in and were prepared, another lightning strike was present in the area. This made NASCAR throw the lightning clock back out and make the ultimate decision that the race would have to be called.
The No. 88 Valvoline Chevy ended the day in P21 with Bowman stating that the weather "killed their vibes."
As the week continued, Bowman celebrated his first win at Hendrick Motorsports by ringing the victory bell and Axalta presenting him with his winning firesuit, gloves, and shoes. Bowman also unveiled his paint scheme for the Nationwide Kids Chevy that he will be racing at Kentucky Motorspeedway on July 13, 2019.
Follow and chat with me here: @Bryana_Rose
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear
July 7, 2019
This past weekend NASCAR headed south to the World Center of Racing otherwise known as Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero Sugar 400. The crews however did not gain a very warm welcome with rain in the forecast for almost the whole time they were scheduled to be there. With the 2020 schedule moving the Daytona race from the week of the fourth to the last race of the regular season, Mother Nature showed she had something to say about that.
Practice day seemed to be a nice day, at least for a little while until weather in the area cut the first session short. Alex Bowman was able to keep his speed in the top 15 for the first practice session. Second practice seemed to show faster speeds for the No. 88 moving from 200.263mph to 201.911mph, but he dropped on the leader board to P22 as other cars picked up speed as well.
Next up was qualifying. It was scheduled for July 5, however with lightning becoming present in the area, qualifying was canceled and the field was set due to owners points. This placed Bowman to start the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in P9.
After taking Sunday's green flag, Bowman quickly fell back in the pack placing him into the top 20 with handling issues. He would finish stage 1 in P29. Because of this, the team tried to fix the issues on pit road.
In stage 2, Bowman and the team placed themselves into the top 15 to start and quickly gained ground, moving into the top 10 and gaining as far as P4 by lap 66. Following a caution with 22 laps remaining in the second segment, Bowman once again showed he was hungry for another win, moving past his teammates, Chase Elliott and William Byron, to place himself into P2. He held this position through one more restart with 14 laps to go. The No. 88 team finished segment 2 in what seems to be Bowman’s position, P2 gaining 9 more playoff points.
When segment three began, Bowman raced his way just outside the top 10 until getting caught up in a multi-vehicle accident on lap 118. This caused damage all around the Valvoline Chevy and caused the team to bring Bowman down pit road multiple times for repairs.
This forced the team to have to restart at the back of the pack before cars were called down pit road with severe weather in the area.
NASCAR made the decision to bring out a countdown clock for lightning. After half an hour passed, drivers were called back to their cars.
As soon as drivers climbed back in and were prepared, another lightning strike was present in the area. This made NASCAR throw the lightning clock back out and make the ultimate decision that the race would have to be called.
The No. 88 Valvoline Chevy ended the day in P21 with Bowman stating that the weather "killed their vibes."
As the week continued, Bowman celebrated his first win at Hendrick Motorsports by ringing the victory bell and Axalta presenting him with his winning firesuit, gloves, and shoes. Bowman also unveiled his paint scheme for the Nationwide Kids Chevy that he will be racing at Kentucky Motorspeedway on July 13, 2019.
Follow and chat with me here: @Bryana_Rose
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear
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Bowman Breaks Through In Chicago
June 30, 2019
One question that Alex Bowman seemed to be asked was when? When would the first win come? After finishing in the top 5 five separate times this season, this same question was being asked by the fans of the #88 as well. Would Chicagoland Speedway be the place where the #88 Hendrick Motorsports machine would see victory lane again?
After qualifying 8th, it seemed as though Bowman was headed toward another top 10 finish for the season. Running three wide in the first lap and even four wide in the second lap, the race was building with excitement. With Bowman pushing the limits, the car began to slowly be pushing him backwards. With the first caution coming out at lap 11, the cars rolled down pit road for significant weather in the area. The race was then placed under a red flag rain delay with a gloomy sky that was almost an emerald green color and downpours that blew through the area.
Once drivers were finally called back to their cars, it was time to see if that dreadful question would be answered today as Bowman pulled off pit road and onto a track that has only given him 2 top 10 finishes in the past. Once again, Bowman rolled off pit road and would restart P4 on lap 16 after being told to stay on the track by crew chief Greg Ives. This is the position Bowman would hold before he was caught from behind and began battling for position on lap 19. As the laps began to count down, the positions began to fall for Bowman as he lost 5 positions and fell to P9 by lap 30.
On lap 48, Bowman called over the radio to his crew stating that his car had no front grip. With two laps to go in the first stage, Bowman fell to P21 with a car that was just too free. However, as leaders began making their green flag pit stops, Bowman gained 12 positions, putting him in P9 to finish out stage one and earning 2 stage points. To start stage 2, the #88 team fell to P11, racing back and forth until a caution that came out on lap 102 for possible fluid on the track.
The team chose to bring the #88 down pit road under the caution for 4 tires, fuel, and adjustments. With the adjustments, the Axalta Chevy began gaining positions, climbing up to P6 with only 35 laps remaining in the second stage. Bowman kept gaining even more track position, placing the team in P5 with 30 to go in stage 2 and crossing the line in P4, finishing the stage with 7 more valuable stage points.
After another pit stop, the team would be set up to start the final stage in P3 on lap 166. With this restart, Bowman was a rocket and shot straight to the lead by lap 170. A caution being called on lap 172 for Kevin Harvick in the wall in turn 2 left Bowman with an important decision to make. Bowman now had lane choice for the restart, which could make or break his lead. With Jimmie Johnson giving him a push on the bottom lane, Bowman held off his teammate to keep the lead on lap 176. As Bowman continued to lead, his lap times continued to improve, putting him as high as 3 seconds ahead of the second place car, the #42 of Kyle Larson.
As the race began to wind down, the nerves started to roll. This could be it. The "when" question could be answered today.
With Larson running the high side and Bowman running the low side, could he hold Larson off? With lap cars beginning to come into play Bowman told his spotter to get the 21 (Paul Menard) out of his lane. Lap cars slowed the #88, allowing Larson to catch him and even pass him with 7 laps remaining. But that did not last long as Bowman battled back, side drafting the #42 and even bumping him before taking the lead back. With the white flag finally waving, Bowman had one lap to go as the #42 slowly faded in his rear view.
As the checkered flag waved, Bowman flashed across the line first. The "when" question was answered by Bowman today; the answer: "now". While celebrating for the fans, Bowman landed the #88 in the mud and the celebration was cut short. When asked how he regrouped to pass Larson back for the lead, Bowman stated that he was just "tired of running in second, I don’t want to do that anymore!"
Bowman picked up his first career Cup win and, with the victory, his place in the Playoffs.
Follow and chat with me here: @Bryana_Rose
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear
June 30, 2019
One question that Alex Bowman seemed to be asked was when? When would the first win come? After finishing in the top 5 five separate times this season, this same question was being asked by the fans of the #88 as well. Would Chicagoland Speedway be the place where the #88 Hendrick Motorsports machine would see victory lane again?
After qualifying 8th, it seemed as though Bowman was headed toward another top 10 finish for the season. Running three wide in the first lap and even four wide in the second lap, the race was building with excitement. With Bowman pushing the limits, the car began to slowly be pushing him backwards. With the first caution coming out at lap 11, the cars rolled down pit road for significant weather in the area. The race was then placed under a red flag rain delay with a gloomy sky that was almost an emerald green color and downpours that blew through the area.
Once drivers were finally called back to their cars, it was time to see if that dreadful question would be answered today as Bowman pulled off pit road and onto a track that has only given him 2 top 10 finishes in the past. Once again, Bowman rolled off pit road and would restart P4 on lap 16 after being told to stay on the track by crew chief Greg Ives. This is the position Bowman would hold before he was caught from behind and began battling for position on lap 19. As the laps began to count down, the positions began to fall for Bowman as he lost 5 positions and fell to P9 by lap 30.
On lap 48, Bowman called over the radio to his crew stating that his car had no front grip. With two laps to go in the first stage, Bowman fell to P21 with a car that was just too free. However, as leaders began making their green flag pit stops, Bowman gained 12 positions, putting him in P9 to finish out stage one and earning 2 stage points. To start stage 2, the #88 team fell to P11, racing back and forth until a caution that came out on lap 102 for possible fluid on the track.
The team chose to bring the #88 down pit road under the caution for 4 tires, fuel, and adjustments. With the adjustments, the Axalta Chevy began gaining positions, climbing up to P6 with only 35 laps remaining in the second stage. Bowman kept gaining even more track position, placing the team in P5 with 30 to go in stage 2 and crossing the line in P4, finishing the stage with 7 more valuable stage points.
After another pit stop, the team would be set up to start the final stage in P3 on lap 166. With this restart, Bowman was a rocket and shot straight to the lead by lap 170. A caution being called on lap 172 for Kevin Harvick in the wall in turn 2 left Bowman with an important decision to make. Bowman now had lane choice for the restart, which could make or break his lead. With Jimmie Johnson giving him a push on the bottom lane, Bowman held off his teammate to keep the lead on lap 176. As Bowman continued to lead, his lap times continued to improve, putting him as high as 3 seconds ahead of the second place car, the #42 of Kyle Larson.
As the race began to wind down, the nerves started to roll. This could be it. The "when" question could be answered today.
With Larson running the high side and Bowman running the low side, could he hold Larson off? With lap cars beginning to come into play Bowman told his spotter to get the 21 (Paul Menard) out of his lane. Lap cars slowed the #88, allowing Larson to catch him and even pass him with 7 laps remaining. But that did not last long as Bowman battled back, side drafting the #42 and even bumping him before taking the lead back. With the white flag finally waving, Bowman had one lap to go as the #42 slowly faded in his rear view.
As the checkered flag waved, Bowman flashed across the line first. The "when" question was answered by Bowman today; the answer: "now". While celebrating for the fans, Bowman landed the #88 in the mud and the celebration was cut short. When asked how he regrouped to pass Larson back for the lead, Bowman stated that he was just "tired of running in second, I don’t want to do that anymore!"
Bowman picked up his first career Cup win and, with the victory, his place in the Playoffs.
Follow and chat with me here: @Bryana_Rose
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear
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Sonoma Raceway
June 23, 2019
As the day began it was bound to be a tough one with 11 turns in this road course and an added carousel. There is a unique way and new skills to driving the car as compared to your average oval track. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 started with the last, "Boogity, boogity, boogity" being given by Darrell Waltrip.
With the wave of the green flag Alex Bowman was off and consistent with his starting position, bouncing back and forth from P12 to P11. Finally, he settled in to P11 for most of the stage. With 8 laps to go, Bowman lacked speed and began to get passed by Aric Almirola and Jimmie Johnson, placing the team P13 with three to go in stage 1. As pit stops began for those drivers choosing to pit to prepare for stage 2, Bowman moved up to P10 as Michael McDowell spun with no caution being thrown. As pit road continued to stay open drivers with a cushion in the points came down which allowed Bowman to pick up three positions placing him in P7. This is where he would finish the stage, gaining the Axalta team four stage points.
After pitting and getting ready for stage 2, the No. 88 team fell backwards and would take the green flag in P20. Falling even further on the restart back two positions to P22. Halfway through the stage the No. 88 team began to pick up positions once again, gaining the two positions he lost in the beginning of the stage. This allowed him to be in P20 with 10 to go.
June 23, 2019
As the day began it was bound to be a tough one with 11 turns in this road course and an added carousel. There is a unique way and new skills to driving the car as compared to your average oval track. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 started with the last, "Boogity, boogity, boogity" being given by Darrell Waltrip.
With the wave of the green flag Alex Bowman was off and consistent with his starting position, bouncing back and forth from P12 to P11. Finally, he settled in to P11 for most of the stage. With 8 laps to go, Bowman lacked speed and began to get passed by Aric Almirola and Jimmie Johnson, placing the team P13 with three to go in stage 1. As pit stops began for those drivers choosing to pit to prepare for stage 2, Bowman moved up to P10 as Michael McDowell spun with no caution being thrown. As pit road continued to stay open drivers with a cushion in the points came down which allowed Bowman to pick up three positions placing him in P7. This is where he would finish the stage, gaining the Axalta team four stage points.
After pitting and getting ready for stage 2, the No. 88 team fell backwards and would take the green flag in P20. Falling even further on the restart back two positions to P22. Halfway through the stage the No. 88 team began to pick up positions once again, gaining the two positions he lost in the beginning of the stage. This allowed him to be in P20 with 10 to go.
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Much like stage 1, cars began coming down pit road with around four laps left to go in the stage. The Axalta Chevy was one of the cars called to pit road leaving after a fuel and four tire stop. This would leave Bowman with a P25 finish in stage 2 but allow him to gain position for the green flag in stage 3 where he would begin P11. With half way left to go, the No. 88 team seemed like they had set themselves up for another top 15, maybe even a top 10, finish.
Staying consistent with P12, Bowman began to lose his power steering with around 26 to go in the final stage. This would begin a battle with the car all the way to the finish line where the No. 88 team still managed to capture a top 15, taking the checkered in P14. Follow and chat with me here: @Bryana_Rose SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear |
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Catching Up
June 19, 2019
Hello race fans,
I’m sure you're wondering why I haven’t written in a while for Alex Bowman and the #88 team. The answer is I have been working on graduating from college!! As NASCAR picks back up from a week off I’ll be picking back up with writing weekly for the team.
It is time to head west this weekend for the NASCAR teams and drivers. First stop on the list is Sonoma Raceway located in the Sonoma mountains of California - this course is not your average track. The road course is set to feature the Toyota/ Save Mart 350 on Sunday June 23, 2019. Bound to be packed full of action and a different set of skills than an oval. Bowman is no stranger to accomplishing the skills needed for a track like this.
Finishing in 9th in his first full time season with Hendricks Motorsports the odds look good for him to pull out another top-10 finish in the Golden State. Bowman has road course experience under his belt with strong finishes at Watkins Glen (14th) and the Charlotte Roval (4th). It would be no surprise if Bowman and the #88 team could pull off their first win in Sonoma. There's momentum, coming off a top-10 finish during the FireKeepers 400 at Michigan International Speedway this past week.
The off week may have been just what the doctor ordered for the team that has been consistently running in the top 15 for the past 8 races. This includes three second-place finishes at Talladega, Dover, and Kansas. Keep an eye out for this #88 team that is sitting in 10th for the playoffs and only seems to be getting stronger as we get closer to Darlington.
Follow and chat with me here: @Bryana_Rose
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear
Happy 50th Anniversary, Sonoma!!
June 19, 2019
Hello race fans,
I’m sure you're wondering why I haven’t written in a while for Alex Bowman and the #88 team. The answer is I have been working on graduating from college!! As NASCAR picks back up from a week off I’ll be picking back up with writing weekly for the team.
It is time to head west this weekend for the NASCAR teams and drivers. First stop on the list is Sonoma Raceway located in the Sonoma mountains of California - this course is not your average track. The road course is set to feature the Toyota/ Save Mart 350 on Sunday June 23, 2019. Bound to be packed full of action and a different set of skills than an oval. Bowman is no stranger to accomplishing the skills needed for a track like this.
Finishing in 9th in his first full time season with Hendricks Motorsports the odds look good for him to pull out another top-10 finish in the Golden State. Bowman has road course experience under his belt with strong finishes at Watkins Glen (14th) and the Charlotte Roval (4th). It would be no surprise if Bowman and the #88 team could pull off their first win in Sonoma. There's momentum, coming off a top-10 finish during the FireKeepers 400 at Michigan International Speedway this past week.
The off week may have been just what the doctor ordered for the team that has been consistently running in the top 15 for the past 8 races. This includes three second-place finishes at Talladega, Dover, and Kansas. Keep an eye out for this #88 team that is sitting in 10th for the playoffs and only seems to be getting stronger as we get closer to Darlington.
Follow and chat with me here: @Bryana_Rose
SHOP HERE for NASCAR gear
Happy 50th Anniversary, Sonoma!!
FireKeepers Casino 400 - Image: Crystal Titus
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