CONCORD, N.C. -- Alex Bowman will have a special name on board his No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE for Sunday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway.
Troy Malesky’s moniker will be on the passenger-side door of Bowman’s ChevyGoods.com/Adam’s Polishes machine. A former Navy SEAL, Malesky transitioned to civilian life in September 2018, which isn’t always an easy feat.
“It was really tough. The military is pretty good about letting you know that it’s going to take some adjusting,” Malesky said on “The Warrior’s Journey” podcast. “But nothing really prepares you for it. … It wasn’t easy getting back and integrated.”
Malesky, 34, spent nine years in the military before he stepped back to focus on being a husband and father. He became a Navy SEAL after completing Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUDS) class 285 in 2011.
The Strafford, Missouri, native said he made the decision to serve in ninth grade after his church recognized members of the military during a service. However, he didn’t join the service right after high school like many do, opting to play college baseball at Lincoln University in Missouri.
However, Malesky said he still felt the urge to join the military throughout his college career and decided to return home during his senior year and committed to join the Navy SEALs.
Malesky now is a member of Commercial Real Estate as a broker for Makers Commercial in the greater Denver area and is the co-founder of American Tribute Brand, a clothing line that honors the American spirit.
Bowman won’t be the only Hendrick Motorsports driver honoring a military member this weekend. Teammate Chase Elliott will pay tribute to former U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Jasper F. Heilig, who served with No. 9 hauler driver Devin Alston. Check out Elliott surprising Alston with the news here.
Sunday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway will be at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN.