The 2024 season marked a turning point for Alex Bowman. After two years filled with injuries, setbacks, and self-doubt, he finally returned to victory lane at the Chicago Street Race. The emotions poured out as he took the checkered flag. “Everybody that said I couldn’t win and don’t deserve to be at Hendrick Motorsports and all that [expletive], cheers to you,” Bowman said.
A concussion in 2022 and a fractured vertebra in 2023 had derailed his momentum. He questioned himself, wondering if those injuries had changed him as a driver. When he finally took the checkered flag in Chicago, all the pain and uncertainty faded. Bowman had proven to himself and the world that he still belonged at the top. But behind every great comeback, there’s a great support system. And for Bowman, that support came from an unexpected source: Rick Hendrick.
The Hendrick Motorsports Boss, who is known for his high expectations and no-nonsense approach, held Bowman’s hands while his back was against the wall. Now, almost a year after the incident, Bowman let slip a lesser-known side of Hendrick’s leadership.
How did Alex Bowman’s past success earn Hendrick’s trust?
Rick Hendrick is known for running a tight ship. His drivers are expected to perform at the highest level, both on and off the track. This approach has been a cornerstone of HMS’s success in NASCAR. Yet, when Bowman suffered injuries outside the Cup Series, Hendrick didn’t react with anger or frustration. Instead, he offered nothing but support.
On the recent episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Bowman revealed a lesser-known side of Rick Hendrick’s persona. “When I broke my back, knowing that I had to make that phone call and knowing that I did it—not in a cup car—I did it doing extracurricular activity, right? Like, you’d never want to make that phone call, and he was extremely supportive immediately. There was never a pressure to get back in the car or pressure, like a timeline, like you need to do this, or you need to be winning again by this. Through the whole thing, he was extremely supportive,” Bowman admitted.
For a man as meticulous as Rick Hendrick, this level of patience and understanding was surprising. He has always been clear with his drivers about avoiding unnecessary risks, particularly in off-track activities. He pushes to avoid another setback at all costs. But Bowman’s past results and work ethic likely played a role in Hendrick’s reaction. Before his injuries, Bowman had established himself as a reliable performer for HMS. His four-win season in 2021 showed his potential, and even after his injuries, he fought hard to stay competitive. That level of commitment earned Hendrick’s trust, allowing Bowman to recover without added pressure.
The secret to Hendrick’s philosophy? Keeping a tight-knit unit. In the build-up to Daytona, Mr. H revealed, “The organization is used to working hard, trying to win and winning in any situation and that fuels us every single year when we don’t win the championship to come back and work harder and see if we can’t get another (Cup Series title). I think anytime you can keep core group together without any change and can go back and identify things you could be doing better and work on those I think you’re going to have a good result at the end of the day.”
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Practice and Qualifying Nov 2, 2024 Martinsville, Virginia, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman 48 during cup qualifying at Martinsville Speedway. Martinsville Martinsville Speedway Virginia USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJimxDedmonx 20241102_tbs_db2_154
That trust paid off when Alex Bowman clinched the checkered flag in the Chicago Street Race. “But yeah, just to overcome the injuries and the lack of performance and all the different things, it all kind of came into one—winning there in Chicago—and yeah, it was super emotional,” Bowman told Kevin Harvick. After that win, Bowman didn’t see back and had an amazing finish to the 2024 season. Five top-10 finishes in the last 10 races demonstrated that he was back on track. Though he was disqualified at the Roval after a post-race inspection, he still saw the bigger picture. A year earlier, he wouldn’t have even been in contention for the playoffs.
However, heading into 2025, the real test begins. Rick Hendrick’s team expects to dominate, and Bowman must prove he belongs among the top HMS drivers. With William Byron winning the Daytona 500, the pressure is on for Bowman to make his mark. And if there’s one track where Bowman can strike, it’s COTA. His consistency at the iconic track is unmatched. He is one of only three drivers to finish in the top five in three of the four races held at the track. Even more impressive, he has never finished outside the top 10. His average finish of 4.3 is the second-best in the Cup Series.
With momentum on his side, Bowman is looking to capitalize. His ability to perform at COTA could set the tone for his 2025 campaign. If he can deliver another strong showing, it will not only boost his confidence but also reaffirm his status within HMS. However, Bowman’s impact isn’t just limited to the track. Off the track, he has partnered with Ally for a groundbreaking initiative that brings NASCAR and women’s sports together.
Bowman partners with Ally for a great mission!
Ahead of the upcoming race at COTA, Alex Bowman joined hands with Ally to be part of a unique effort to bridge NASCAR and women’s basketball. Recently, Bowman welcomed WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart and fellow Unrivaled League players to Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stewart, a two-time WNBA MVP, was in awe as she examined Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet, which featured a special Ally-sponsored paint scheme.
The bright pink and teal design honored Unrivaled, a new three-on-three women’s basketball league that aims to change the game for female athletes. The No. 48 Chevrolet’s new paint scheme featured the Miami skyline, a silhouette of a female basketball player, and messages like “Women’s Sports” and “Leaders.” Notably, the crossover wasn’t just about a cool paint job. It was part of Ally’s larger commitment to equal investment in men’s and women’s sports.
The financial giant has pledged a 50-50 media spending balance and is actively working to elevate women’s sports to the same level as men’s. Meanwhile, Bowman and his Hendrick Motorsports crew later attended Unrivaled League games in Miami. The experience opened Bowman’s eyes to the similarities between elite athletes in different sports. “Anyone that operates at a high level in their profession is cool for me. I’ve gotten to meet a lot of cool people over the years,” he said.
It’s worth noting that Alex Bowman and Ally Financial have been partners for the last five seasons. Since the departure of Jimmie Johnson from the HMS squad, Ally has sponsored Bowman’s journey. Notably, the new paint scheme will hit the track at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 23. For now, Bowman eyes a blistering win at COTA this weekend. The iconic track will host the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on March 2, 3:30 PM ET.
The post HMS Driver Lets Slip the Unusual Side of Rick Hendrick’s Racing Life Despite Miserable Injury Slip appeared first on EssentiallySports.