Bryana Heath
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Alex Bowman Scores His Second Career Cup Win in California
Fontana, California
March 1st, 2020
Teams once again were out west this Week for the second out of a three-race stint on the West Coast. Auto Club Speedway was the location of the race this week located just 45 miles away from Los Angeles, California. Alex Bowman had a fast car as soon as it was unloaded off the truck this week topping the charts in both practices before coming in third during qualifying behind teammate Jimmie Johnson and pole winner Clint Bowyer.
As the green flag was waved by Johnson’s girls to start the race Bowman was quick to make his way toward the front of the pack. Three even four-wide racing going on, and the No.88 bounced around sliding the car up the track and knocking Bowman down to the 5th position. It was not long however before the rocket was back into the 2nd position by lap 28. With green flag pit stops beginning Bowman would lose his lead to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. who was the only car not to pit between lap 29-30. Bowman gained his spot back by lap 40 and would pick up the race lead as the green-white-checkered waved. Gaining himself 10 points and his first-ever stage win in the series. Bowman went to pit road before the beginning of stage two with a four-tire pit stop and fuel losing 3 positions making him start the stage in the 4th position. The No.88 crew lost positions because of an air hose getting caught on the tire and a crew member having to pull it off.
Once again the No.88 was quick to pick up spots and within a lap was up to 2nd position behind Ryan Blaney. As Johnson and Bowman continued to bounce back and forth for the 2nd position even making 3 wide racing for the lead. On lap 91 green flag pit stops once again began before a caution flag came out for Clint Bowyer having a tire go down. Bowman would start in the 2nd position behind Blaney as he continued to battle dropping as low as sixth before gaining speed settling back up into the 2nd position. Which is where he would take the green-white-checkered on stage 2 gaining 9 more stage points.
As the third stage began Bowman started in the 2nd position after getting four fresh tires and fuel on pit road pulling off just behind teammate Johnson. Johnson did not hold onto the lead for long as Blaney pushed the No.88 to the lead. Three wide racing ensued once again at the front of the pack as the No.88 Chevy bounced back and forth from 1st to 3rd position behind a couple of Toyota's.
As green-flag pit stops began with 40 laps to go the Cincinnati Inc Chevy came down taking tires and fuel with an air pressure adjustment called by Greg Ives. With 34 to go Bowman continued to lead the race over Blaney by 5 seconds. Bowman and the No.88 Chevy dominated the third stage of the race finally taking the checkered flag and winning his first race since Chicagoland Speedway last season, leading over 100 laps out of 200 total. In the post-race interview, Bowman said that he promised his friend if he won today he would go and get an 88 tattoo with him.
Chat With me on Twitter Here : @Bryana_Rose
Fontana, California
March 1st, 2020
Teams once again were out west this Week for the second out of a three-race stint on the West Coast. Auto Club Speedway was the location of the race this week located just 45 miles away from Los Angeles, California. Alex Bowman had a fast car as soon as it was unloaded off the truck this week topping the charts in both practices before coming in third during qualifying behind teammate Jimmie Johnson and pole winner Clint Bowyer.
As the green flag was waved by Johnson’s girls to start the race Bowman was quick to make his way toward the front of the pack. Three even four-wide racing going on, and the No.88 bounced around sliding the car up the track and knocking Bowman down to the 5th position. It was not long however before the rocket was back into the 2nd position by lap 28. With green flag pit stops beginning Bowman would lose his lead to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. who was the only car not to pit between lap 29-30. Bowman gained his spot back by lap 40 and would pick up the race lead as the green-white-checkered waved. Gaining himself 10 points and his first-ever stage win in the series. Bowman went to pit road before the beginning of stage two with a four-tire pit stop and fuel losing 3 positions making him start the stage in the 4th position. The No.88 crew lost positions because of an air hose getting caught on the tire and a crew member having to pull it off.
Once again the No.88 was quick to pick up spots and within a lap was up to 2nd position behind Ryan Blaney. As Johnson and Bowman continued to bounce back and forth for the 2nd position even making 3 wide racing for the lead. On lap 91 green flag pit stops once again began before a caution flag came out for Clint Bowyer having a tire go down. Bowman would start in the 2nd position behind Blaney as he continued to battle dropping as low as sixth before gaining speed settling back up into the 2nd position. Which is where he would take the green-white-checkered on stage 2 gaining 9 more stage points.
As the third stage began Bowman started in the 2nd position after getting four fresh tires and fuel on pit road pulling off just behind teammate Johnson. Johnson did not hold onto the lead for long as Blaney pushed the No.88 to the lead. Three wide racing ensued once again at the front of the pack as the No.88 Chevy bounced back and forth from 1st to 3rd position behind a couple of Toyota's.
As green-flag pit stops began with 40 laps to go the Cincinnati Inc Chevy came down taking tires and fuel with an air pressure adjustment called by Greg Ives. With 34 to go Bowman continued to lead the race over Blaney by 5 seconds. Bowman and the No.88 Chevy dominated the third stage of the race finally taking the checkered flag and winning his first race since Chicagoland Speedway last season, leading over 100 laps out of 200 total. In the post-race interview, Bowman said that he promised his friend if he won today he would go and get an 88 tattoo with him.
Chat With me on Twitter Here : @Bryana_Rose
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What a day for this duo! ☝️@AlexBowman88 | @Ives_Greg pic.twitter.com/ZmIWielLMy
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) March 2, 2020
Bowman's car was fast, but not the finish the team deserved.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas, Nevada
Sunday, February 23rd, 2020
This week teams headed out west for the first race on the west coast. Sunshine was the thought that came to mind in the desert however, rain put a damper on this weekend's race just like last week. Canceling cup qualifying and even causing the Xfinity race to be rescheduled for the same day as Cup creating a doubleheader on Sunday. Cup would take the stage first then it would be Xfinity's turn to run after the checkered flag would fly. With qualifying for Cup raining out the cars would be set up based on owner's points putting Alex Bowman and the No.88 into the 12th position to start the race.
As the green flag flew the No.88 Chevy was quick to move positions moving from 12th to 11th on the first lap. Making his way into the top 10 before the competition caution. Before hitting the track again Bowman remained in the top 10 in 8th position bouncing between 7-8th place battling his teammate William Byron. As the green-white-checkered flew the 88 came in 8th position before taking the car down pit road for adjustments.
As the second stage began Bowman once again found himself in the top 15 before Greg Ives called for the team to make a pit stop with less than 20 laps remaining in the stage. Bowman once again found himself battling with a teammate this time Jimmie Johnson in the top 10 before a yellow flag flew with one lap to go in the stage. The No.88 built up enough momentum to take the green-white-checkered in the 9th position. With the third and final stage beginning, Bowman found himself behind all of his teammates that were all running within the top 10. In the 7th position, Bowman once again gained momentum placing his Valvoline Chevy all the way into 5th with 83 laps remaining in the race. It seemed to be a race against teammates before a late-race pit stop with 50 laps to go. Bowman once again worked hard to regain his top 10 positions surpassing all of his teammates for the first time in the race and placing the driver into 6th position.
The No. 88 team seemed as though they were a competitor for the lead bouncing between the top 3 before a late-race caution came out. Ives called for the team to come down pit road and although the team worked hard and Bowman raced out to the track the team still ended up taking the flag in 14th position. With a car that seemed like it was at least a top 10 car, the No.88 just could not battle its way back up the field. With the No.88 only picking up one position before the end of the race it would result in Bowman taking the checkered flag in the 13th position.
Bowman's car was fast, but not the finish the team deserved.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas, Nevada
Sunday, February 23rd, 2020
This week teams headed out west for the first race on the west coast. Sunshine was the thought that came to mind in the desert however, rain put a damper on this weekend's race just like last week. Canceling cup qualifying and even causing the Xfinity race to be rescheduled for the same day as Cup creating a doubleheader on Sunday. Cup would take the stage first then it would be Xfinity's turn to run after the checkered flag would fly. With qualifying for Cup raining out the cars would be set up based on owner's points putting Alex Bowman and the No.88 into the 12th position to start the race.
As the green flag flew the No.88 Chevy was quick to move positions moving from 12th to 11th on the first lap. Making his way into the top 10 before the competition caution. Before hitting the track again Bowman remained in the top 10 in 8th position bouncing between 7-8th place battling his teammate William Byron. As the green-white-checkered flew the 88 came in 8th position before taking the car down pit road for adjustments.
As the second stage began Bowman once again found himself in the top 15 before Greg Ives called for the team to make a pit stop with less than 20 laps remaining in the stage. Bowman once again found himself battling with a teammate this time Jimmie Johnson in the top 10 before a yellow flag flew with one lap to go in the stage. The No.88 built up enough momentum to take the green-white-checkered in the 9th position. With the third and final stage beginning, Bowman found himself behind all of his teammates that were all running within the top 10. In the 7th position, Bowman once again gained momentum placing his Valvoline Chevy all the way into 5th with 83 laps remaining in the race. It seemed to be a race against teammates before a late-race pit stop with 50 laps to go. Bowman once again worked hard to regain his top 10 positions surpassing all of his teammates for the first time in the race and placing the driver into 6th position.
The No. 88 team seemed as though they were a competitor for the lead bouncing between the top 3 before a late-race caution came out. Ives called for the team to come down pit road and although the team worked hard and Bowman raced out to the track the team still ended up taking the flag in 14th position. With a car that seemed like it was at least a top 10 car, the No.88 just could not battle its way back up the field. With the No.88 only picking up one position before the end of the race it would result in Bowman taking the checkered flag in the 13th position.
Bummer we didn’t get the finish we deserved but so proud of my guys today. I think this new @TeamChevy Camaro is going to be good for us. pic.twitter.com/ruLBoHWTtC
— Alex Bowman (@AlexBowman88) February 24, 2020
Fast @llumarfilms car and @Hendrick88Team did a great job all weekend long. VERY Frustrated with my call at the end not to gamble on old tires, especially in Vegas. Despite that, very proud of the effort to be in contention. Back to work for California.
— Greg Ives (@Ives_Greg) February 24, 2020
Alex Bowman's Daytona 500 Recap
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach, Florida
Sunday, February 16th 2020
Teams headed to Daytona International Speedway for what some may say is NASCAR's biggest race of the year. The season opener was full of excitement since the beginning of the week with the duels and as qualifying took place Alex Bowman continued his Daytona streak of putting Hendricks Motorsports into one of the top two starting positions for the 5th year in a row. Only loosing out on the pole by 0.219ths of a second behind Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Making this the first pole position lost before the Daytona 500 by Hendricks since Jeff Gordon's 2015 pole. As the field was set to take the green flag Sunday for the first time in history the President of the United States took to the track to pace the field, give the command, and even wish drivers and crews good luck during the race. Trump was serving as Grand Marshal but, left the track shortly after his job was done. However, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. prepared to wave the green flag rain began to fall over the 2.5-mile oval. Delaying the start time of the 500 for 4 pm on Monday, February 17th.
When the field finally took the green flag Bowman quickly fell to the 5th position, within the first few laps of the race. Leading the inside lane before the lanes quickly fell apart into a single file line. This dropped the No.88 crew back even further into the back into the 13th position, all by lap 5. Slowly over time, Bowman worked his way back up into the top three following Hendrick teammates Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson. Bowman finished stage one helping push his teammate across the line coming in 2nd position earning 9 stage points.
As stage two began the 88 started in the 18th position, where he continued to hover. As the racing continued he slowly worked his way into the top 15. He then bounced between 14th position, and eventually took the green-white-checkered in finishing in the 15th position.
As the final stage of racing began Bowman slowly worked his way back into the top spot before pitting with 27 laps to go for fuel and fresh tires. Bowman went back on track working his way back through the pack quickly. Making it all the way up into the top 10 before Daytona started looking like it always has during the final laps. With less than 20 laps to go a big one happened to collect Bowman in the process. The team worked to fix the car but, with about 8 laps to go another incident happened to cause the team to pit once again and call it a day. Choosing to place the Valvoline Chevy behind the wall and ending the night for the team. Ultimately bringing the 88 home in 24th position, after it was all said and done. As everyone knows the last lap block caused Ryan Newman to flip in his car sending him to the hospital. It is great to see the driver back out and about and with his friends and family. Everyone at LOS (Ladies of Speed) would like to send continued prayer and support to Newman as well as every driver who chooses to strap in every week. Without you and your teams, we wouldn't be able to do what we love and we wouldn't have this sport so thank you.
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach, Florida
Sunday, February 16th 2020
Teams headed to Daytona International Speedway for what some may say is NASCAR's biggest race of the year. The season opener was full of excitement since the beginning of the week with the duels and as qualifying took place Alex Bowman continued his Daytona streak of putting Hendricks Motorsports into one of the top two starting positions for the 5th year in a row. Only loosing out on the pole by 0.219ths of a second behind Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Making this the first pole position lost before the Daytona 500 by Hendricks since Jeff Gordon's 2015 pole. As the field was set to take the green flag Sunday for the first time in history the President of the United States took to the track to pace the field, give the command, and even wish drivers and crews good luck during the race. Trump was serving as Grand Marshal but, left the track shortly after his job was done. However, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. prepared to wave the green flag rain began to fall over the 2.5-mile oval. Delaying the start time of the 500 for 4 pm on Monday, February 17th.
When the field finally took the green flag Bowman quickly fell to the 5th position, within the first few laps of the race. Leading the inside lane before the lanes quickly fell apart into a single file line. This dropped the No.88 crew back even further into the back into the 13th position, all by lap 5. Slowly over time, Bowman worked his way back up into the top three following Hendrick teammates Chase Elliott and Jimmie Johnson. Bowman finished stage one helping push his teammate across the line coming in 2nd position earning 9 stage points.
As stage two began the 88 started in the 18th position, where he continued to hover. As the racing continued he slowly worked his way into the top 15. He then bounced between 14th position, and eventually took the green-white-checkered in finishing in the 15th position.
As the final stage of racing began Bowman slowly worked his way back into the top spot before pitting with 27 laps to go for fuel and fresh tires. Bowman went back on track working his way back through the pack quickly. Making it all the way up into the top 10 before Daytona started looking like it always has during the final laps. With less than 20 laps to go a big one happened to collect Bowman in the process. The team worked to fix the car but, with about 8 laps to go another incident happened to cause the team to pit once again and call it a day. Choosing to place the Valvoline Chevy behind the wall and ending the night for the team. Ultimately bringing the 88 home in 24th position, after it was all said and done. As everyone knows the last lap block caused Ryan Newman to flip in his car sending him to the hospital. It is great to see the driver back out and about and with his friends and family. Everyone at LOS (Ladies of Speed) would like to send continued prayer and support to Newman as well as every driver who chooses to strap in every week. Without you and your teams, we wouldn't be able to do what we love and we wouldn't have this sport so thank you.
Let’s go. #Daytona500 pic.twitter.com/ZkRW2iYgNA
— Alex Bowman (@AlexBowman88) February 16, 2020
A look at Alex Bowman's off-season.
February 4th, 2020
As winter begins to come to an end and the Super Bowl is now behind us that means only one thing for fans of racing. Up next is the Daytona 500! As we prepare for the upcoming race on February 16th some fans may wonder what it is that drivers do during the off-season. Some may choose to spend quality time with their friends and family, some may attend events, and some may even continue to scratch the racing bug within them. All of these were checked off the list for driver Alex Bowman during the offseason. Spending quality time with his two dogs, Roscoe and Finn were of course towards the top of the list for this driver. Bowman even tweeted a photo of the two wishing his fans a Merry Christmas. That wasn’t the only thing the driver was up to during the offseason. Dirt racing was also on the mind for this driver who grew up racing midget cars in Arizona. His next stop would be Tulsa Oklahoma for the infamous Chili Bowl. Bowman had been preparing for the event during the 2019 NASCAR season he would return to the track as a driver and owner. Allowing C.J Leary to climb behind the wheel of the Valvoline machine. Although Bowman did not end up making it past the second B feature for this event, Leary made it all the way into the A-main. Finishing in P 17 to winner Kyle Larson. As the 2020 season begins with testing and media Bowman tells fans via Instagram to “bring it on.” Hoping to bring the fans many more wins in the upcoming season. Bowman also helped kick off the excitement of Daytona with the help of his sponsor for the event Valvoline. Promoting the traditional red, white, and blue paint scheme that will run on the No.88 Chevy.
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