CONCORD, N.C. – Alex Bowman has been nominated for the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Pocono Spirit Award for the third quarter of 2023.
Bowman was recognized for his work in promoting animal rescue through his partnership with primary sponsor Ally and their collaboration with Best Friends Animal Society. The 30-year-old driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was also highlighted for the grace and humility he has shown in his return from a fractured vertebra that sidelined him for four weeks.
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Since becoming the driver of the No. 48 in 2021, Bowman and Ally have teamed up to donate over $500,000 with the goal of helping Best Friends in its mission to end kill shelters by 2025. This season, Bowman and Ally have donated $4,800 to Best Friends and an in-market partner of the organization each race weekend. Ally increases its donation to $10,000 if the No. 48 team wins.
Bowman is in his sixth full-time season at Hendrick Motorsports. He has won seven races for the Rick Hendrick-owned organization and qualified for the playoffs in five years. The Tucson, Arizona, native started the 2023 season with three top-five finishes and six top-10s in the first seven races of the season – his best career start to a campaign. After injuring his back and missing three points-paying races, he returned for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. Despite scoring two top-six finishes in the final three regular season races, Bowman came up short in making the playoffs.
The NMPA Pocono Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. The award is given quarterly, with an overall winner for the season selected by a vote of the NMPA membership.
A full list of third-quarter nominees can be viewed below.