CONCORD, N.C. – As Alex Bowman’s drive for a championship continues, he has something else he will need to make room for in his trophy case.
The driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was named this year’s Halifax Humane Society Humanitarian of the Year and will receive the award at the 11th annual FurBall Gala to be held on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, at the Ocean Center Daytona Beach in Florida.
Bowman is being honored for the work that he and his primary sponsor, Ally, have been doing in race markets across the United States. With the help of Best Friends Animal Society, Bowman and Ally have donated to a Best Friends network partner in each market that the NASCAR Cup Series travels to. Best Friends Animal Society’s mission is to bring about a world where there are no more homeless pets. They do this by working to end the killing in America’s animal shelters by building community programs and partnerships across the national in effort to "Save Them All."
"It’s really cool but most of the credit goes to Ally and everybody that’s made it happen," Bowman said. "They were super open to whatever cause I wanted to donate to. I steered the ship a little bit but there’s a lot of people that have put a lot of work in to make it happen."
In 2021 – their first year together – Bowman and Ally donated a total of $130,000. This season has seen Ally and Bowman increase their efforts as they donate a combined $4,800 each week with that total increasing to $10,000 for each win he earns.
"Helping animals is a big passion of mine and something that I really value," Bowman said. "I am honored to receive this award, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Hopefully we can win a few more races before the season ends and get even more money to the pets who need it."
The cause is one that hits home for the 29-year-old driver as one of his two dogs, Roscoe, is a rescued beagle mix that was adopted over 10 years ago. From the moment the Cup Series driver saw Roscoe, he was immediately taken with the dog.
"Adopting Roscoe is what made me be passionate about it," Bowman explained. "I had dogs as a kid but it's a completely different thing than when you are responsible for them. I probably was too young to adopt a dog when I’m gone 38 weeks a year but Roscoe and I made it work. He’s a handful but it’s been a heck of a journey."
Bowman also has a charcoal Labrador retriever named Finn.
The FurBall Gala is an annual fundraiser for the Halifax Human Society and is supported by the most devoted animal lovers and philanthropists in the Daytona Beach region. This year’s event marks the first in-person gala held by the organization since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Alex’s unwavering commitment to animal welfare has captured the hearts of millions while saving millions of animals’ lives," Dawn Duncan, Director of Development for Halifax Humane Society, said. "His use of the national stage to promote happy and healthy pets makes him a stellar example to all."
For more information about Halifax Humane Society, click here. You can learn more about the FurBall Gala here. To learn about the work of Best Friends Animal Society, click here.