Ive had 19 mind blowing seasons in the 48, now its your turn @alexbowman88. I know Im leaving her in great hands sibling. #DoItRight pic.twitter.com/Rv4YFWbJhT
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) October 6, 2020
Every time hes had the chance, hes made the most of it and has actually earned that next trip. Hes going to be a terrific replacement in the 48 vehicle. Likewise to have Greg Ives coming over, its truly special for Greg, too, with the history that he has on the 48 automobile.”
Bowman is set to become simply the 2nd full-time chauffeur to wheel the No. 48 under the Hendrick Motorsports banner, simply as he was just the second driver to make a full-time campaign with Hendricks No. 88, a number the company first fielded with Earnhardts arrival in 2008.
The Hendrick organization likewise revealed crew chief Greg Ives will make the move with Bowman to the No. 48 group next season, keeping their pairing undamaged for a 4th consecutive year. Hendrick officials showed strategies for Bowmans replacement with the No. 88 team, plus the future for Cliff Daniels– Johnsons present team chief with the No. 48– would be announced at a later date.
Hendrick Motorsports revealed Tuesday that Alex Bowman will replace Jimmie Johnson next season, moving to the organizations No. 48 Chevrolet for the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021.
Hendrick Motorsports team page” We just got done with the whats it like to take over Dale Jr.s race vehicle question, so now were following it up with the Jimmie Johnsons race vehicle concerns. To me, its really special, for sure,” Bowman told NASCAR.com.
Johnson, 45, announced last November that the 2020 season would mark his last full-time project in NASCARs top series. He hedged at calling his transition a full-fledged retirement, saying he still had a list of objectives to experience– both in NASCAR and other kinds of motorsports.
” Its hard to take over from the most popular of perpetuity, and after that three years later to follow that up with perhaps the biggest of all time. It means a lot to me that everybody at Hendrick Motorsports has faith in me, and Ally has faith in me to do a great task and make the 48 car proud.”
Bowman is in his third season with the Rick Hendrick-owned team, having signed up with the organization complete time in 2018 as the follower to Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Chevrolet. Now on the heels of following the 15-time winner of NASCARs Most Popular Driver Award, the 27-year-old Bowman has actually become the next in line for the ride made well-known by a seven-time series champion.
But Johnsons relocation created a prominent vacancy in the Cup Series garage in whats been among the most active free-agency seasons to date. Tuesday, the company revealed the position would be filled internally by Bowman, ending almost a year of reports and conjecture.
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” So it is bittersweet to leave the 88. Its been a huge part of my career, undoubtedly. Got it a couple wins and some more opportunities to win some races coming up, however to have sort of started in a fill-in role in that automobile and then transition to driving it full-time, the number absolutely suggests a lot to me, but also is an honor to drive the 48 car.”
The magnitude of inheriting trips, automobile numbers and in some methods the team legacies from 2 future NASCAR Hall of Famers has actually not been lost on Bowman, who says hes merely strived to sculpt out his own place in the sport– all while bearing in mind the traditions left by the drivers who came before him.
” Im not Dale by any methods, and never ever wished to be or attempted to be. I just tried to be myself,” Bowman stated. “So ideally some of the 88 fans that stayed will opt for us to the 48, and the 48 fans and Jimmie fans will cheer for us. My most significant thing is, I simply wish to offer everybody something to cheer for on the race course and do the finest job I can attempting to win races. I think thats the most crucial thing for me, whichs what I wish to do– make the fans happy.
” Its going to be various to see the car on track,” Johnson says. “Ive been at one place my entire career and existed to start this 48 vehicle and help create its history, so Ill have excellent pride in watching it week in and week out. Im sure the very first couple of races that I see the vehicle on track will be a little uncomfortable and a lot of feelings will feature it, however Im the greatest fan of that 48 car and desire nothing however the very best for it.”
The shift likewise will take a modification for Johnson, who has accumulated all 681 starts and 83 wins while driving the No. 48 considering that his Cup Series launching in 2001.
Stacy Revere|Getty ImagesBowmans return yielded his first career pole position, but likewise made the trust of Hendrick, who kept him on as a key figure in the companys simulator program. With some support from Earnhardts vote of confidence, HMS hired Bowman full-time for the No. 88 in 2018– a collaboration that has produced 2 wins and playoff appearances in 3 successive seasons.
Bowmans story has actually already been an interesting one. After toiling for 2 seasons in underpowered equipment (for BK Racing in 2014, then Tommy Baldwin Racing the next year), his Cup Series profession was put on hold. Bowman scraped together a part-time ride with Earnhardts JR Motorsports team in 2016, however the year also brought him back to the Cup level under hard situations as a 10-race fill-in while Earnhardt was sidelined with a concussion.
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” Im here for Hendrick Motorsports and for Alex and anything that 48 car needs,” Johnson stated. “I spent my whole career in the company, in that race vehicle, and I desire absolutely nothing but the best for them.
That performance, plus a strong bond with Hendrick through their shared love of vehicles, assisted make Bowmans newest profession move an easier one.
That apparently chooses Johnson as well. Bowmans predecessor has shown that hell give IndyCar racing a try out a part-time basis next year, but Johnson likewise stated this week that he intends to remain close with the No. 48 camp to help where needed as he enters semi-retirement.
His main sponsors footing is also safe as Ally Financial agreed to a three-year extension with Hendrick Motorsports in October 2019, keeping the banking brand on as a full-season backer through the 2023 season. Bowman says hes gotten a head-start on building relationships with Allys individuals, taking part in a preliminary photo shoot and Zoom conferences to improve familiarized with their marketing design.
” Alex is absolutely the right motorist to bring on the tradition of the No. 48– and he is worthy of a sponsor as devoted as he is,” said Andrea Brimmer, chief marketing and public relations officer for Ally. “Hes young, hungry to win and prepared to give it all he has. Were excited to take advantage of his energy and commitment to construct more momentum for racing, discover brand-new methods to interfere with the sport and help broaden NASCARs reach even further.”
Said Bowman: “Its been really rejuvenating to get to work with them and learn more about everybody at the business and kind of learn what theyre all about. Obviously, Im brand-new to the team and still learning, however its been actually cool. They absolutely like to be disruptive and like to do it right, whichs going to be a great deal of fun. Im truly eagerly anticipating dealing with them.”
Bowmans shift to the No. 48 group certifies as major news, but his go back to Hendrick Motorsports in 2021 has been a settled offer for months. The Arizona native revealed May 16 that he had signed a 1 year contract extension with the organization.
” Being able to share that with Mr. H has been actually cool,” Bowman stated of their shared enthusiasm for cars and trucks, “and the discussion was pretty cut and dried and basic, like, hey, this is whats going on, were all excited for you, all of us have faith in you, and that suggests a lot coming from Mr. H to select me to do that. It was an easy conversation and it was just, what can we do to make it a smooth transition and offer you everything you require to be successful. Thats the very best part about HMS– theyre constantly ready to do whatever it takes and provide you all the tools you need to be successful.”
” We have significant faith in this team,” stated Rick Hendrick. “Every season, Alex gets much better. Not only do we see it in the data, but his confidence and leadership have truly progressed. Today hes a proven winner and playoff contender, and his finest years are ahead. Greg has won champions and races, and he brings the No. 48 pedigree thats invaluable. Its rather a combination when you add in the incredible interest and assistance from Ally. Their collaboration makes it all possible, and we look forward to commemorating lots of successes together in the future.”
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I just tried to be myself,” Bowman said. Bowman scraped together a part-time trip with Earnhardts JR Motorsports group in 2016, but the year also brought him back to the Cup level under tough scenarios as a 10-race fill-in while Earnhardt was sidelined with a concussion.
With some help from Earnhardts vote of self-confidence, HMS worked with Bowman full time for the No. 88 in 2018– a partnership that has produced 2 wins and playoff looks in three successive seasons.
” Being able to share that with Mr. H has been truly cool,” Bowman said of their mutual passion for automobiles, “and the conversation was quite cut and dried and basic, like, hey, this is whats going on, were all delighted for you, we all have faith in you, and that means a lot coming from Mr. H to choose me to do that. Said Bowman: “Its been really refreshing to get to work with them and discover about everybody at the company and kind of learn what theyre all about.
