CONCORD, N.C. – In 2018, Alex Bowman will climb behind the wheel of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports.
This season, however, he’ll gain some extra track time in the NASCAR XFINITY Series.
Through the organization’s technical partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing, Bowman will drive the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro in the XFINITY Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 7 and at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 11.
Hendrick Automotive Group’s HendrickCars.com, which features more than 43,000 new and pre-owned cars for sale, will serve as Bowman’s primary sponsor in the Charlotte race with additional support from Vannoy Construction.
“This is a terrific opportunity for Alex to get back into a competitive environment and work with a championship-caliber team,” Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said. “I think he’ll pick up right where he left off. It’s also a valuable platform for us to promote HendrickCars.com in (Hendrick Automotive Group’s) home market. Chip (Ganassi) is a great friend, and we’re looking forward to working with his team on and off the track.”
In his XFINITY Series career, Bowman has accumulated five top-five finishes, 13 top-10s and three pole positions in addition to 65 laps led.
He finished as the runner-up in the NASCAR XFINITY Series Rookie of the Year standings in 2013.
Last season as a fill-in driver for the No. 88 team for 10 Cup Series races, Bowman earned three top-10 finishes – leading 200 total laps – and a pole position.
“A huge thanks to Chip and Mr. Hendrick for putting this together for me to get some valuable seat time heading into 2018," Bowman said. "My goal is to win two races and help the No. 42 team win the NXS owners’ championship.”
Currently, the No. 42 car leads the XFINITY Series owners’ standings.
“We appreciate Rick and his team for allowing us to put Alex in our car,” Ganassi said. “Hendrick Motorsports has been a tremendous partner of CGR for many years.”