Alex Bowman can’t wait for a Nashville showdown. (Photo: Riley Thompson | The Podium Finish)
As the NASCAR Cup Series season resumes with Sunday’s Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, Alex Bowman offered his trademark quips about the 20 weeks of nonstop racing action.
“Yeah, the one off weekend for the whole year was an interesting move, for sure,” Bowman said. “I’m the super smart person that spent it just racing more.”
Much like his Hendrick Motorsports teammates, Kyle Larson and William Byron, Bowman enjoys racing on any given weekend.
Despite his passion for motorsports, the Tucson, Arizona native understands the pressures and toll that 20 straight weeks of Cup racing may do to him and his No. 48 Ally Chevy Camaro team.
Bowman prepares for the tough, grueling stretch starting in Nashville. (Photo: Cayden Rush | The Podium Finish)
“It’s definitely a tough, grueling season,” he observed. “It’s hard to complain about from a driver’s point of view when you see what the team guys are going through.
“I think it’s harder on them than anybody. I’m appreciative of all the hard work that the teams and their families put in. It’s a long year and a tough grind from here on out.”
With 10 races between now and the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington, site of this year’s NASCAR Playoffs opener, Bowman can take heart that he has his win at Las Vegas in the books.
Similarly, Bowman has faith in his team, led by crew chief Greg Ives, and the fleet of No. 48 cars at the Hendrick Motorsports shop.
Certainly, Bowman works hard at his race craft and conditioning. (Photo: Kevin Ritchie | The Podium Finish)
“I’m a whiny race car driver, so I’m concerned about myself,” Bowman quipped. “I think the parts and pieces on the race car should be fine. I think all of that should be OK. The car should be fine.”
Aside from a fast car and racing for one of the top Cup teams, Bowman can count on his peak performance and physical training during the hot, summer races.
“It’s definitely going to be hot, but I think that’s what we all train for and all expect,” he said. “Cup racing in the summer is a very uncomfortable environment and the Next Gen car has made that environment way more uncomfortable, but just have to keep training. I think that stuff pays off. And hopefully, I’m on the right side of that.”
Beyond the heat and humidity that Bowman will face during Sunday’s race, he hopes to improve his Nashville record after placing 14th last year. Undoubtedly, he looks forward to trying to race on the resin, an element that made last year’s race competitive.
Surely, bowman’s distinct Ally paint scheme will stand out above the rest. (Photo: Riley Thompson | The Podium Finish)
“I feel like the race is going to be pretty good,” he expressed. “I’m excited that they sprayed the resin higher on the race track than they have in the past. I think that will be a help. Just trying to be as prepared as we can be.
“Like I said, we don’t have any notes. We can kind of correlate notes to last year, but that’s kind of tough. Hopefully, we’re on the right side of it.”
Right now, Bowman, who ranks ninth in the Cup points standings, seeks a balance, not only with his unmistakable car, but with himself, mentally and physically.
“From my side of things, just have to keep steady,” Bowman said. “Train hard, work hard, during the week. The best way to stay refreshed and to not get burnt out is to run well. We’re going to do our best to make that happen.”
