CONCORD, N.C. – The halls at Hendrick Motorsports are quiet this week as the second off-weekend of the season approaches. However, drivers still have some travel plans in store for this week.
Last off-weekend, Alex Bowman dedicated his time away to moving houses, but not everything has made its way to his new abode.
“I’ve settled in a little bit, we’re getting there,” Bowman said. “It’s a long process, but we’re definitely getting closer.”
This weekend, moving will be on Bowman's agenda once again and he moves his shop to Charlotte.
“I am moving my shop, which is miserable in itself,” the driver laughed. “I’ll be hot and tired and over driving back and forth between two shops, but I guess it’s good timing.”
For Jimmie Johnson, the off-weekend is just the opposite. In years past, the time away didn't exactly mean away from the racetrack, as he and the No. 48 team would hit the track for a test or two.
"We would test maybe two times on an off week back when we were able to," Johnson recalled. "The world has changed a lot; our rules have changed a lot. Now the way it works, I can travel and work remotely.”
Now that Johnson is able to travel, this weekend the driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is looking for relaxation as he and his family head to Greece.
“My kids are out of school for the summer, so it’s a time where we want to travel,” he said. “Through my career, I’ve always been able to take these off-weeks and use them as a way to clear my mind and get back to where we need to be. Through the world of e-mailing, texting, phone calls and meetings we have set up, I can go somewhere and work remotely to stay in touch."
Wherever the Hendrick Motorsports drivers are this weekend, the work starts back up on Monday to prepare for the next race at Sonoma on Sunday, June 23.