CONCORD, N.C.—This weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Alex Bowman returns to the wheel of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS, where he first subbed for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in July.
Before the 23-year-old driver departed for the Loudon track, he sat down with HendrickMotorsports.com and shared his thoughts on his career-best finish at Chicagoland Speedway, hobbies and the best advice he received this year.
Check out 15 fun facts about Alex Bowman below.
1) Where were you when you got the call to fill-in for Dale Earnhardt Jr.?
I was at work, driving the simulator in Huntersville, N.C., and I didn’t answer the phone because we were making runs. I saw that Greg (Ives, crew chief) had called and I was like, “well, I should probably call him back.” I walked outside and he said that I needed to be at the airport in two hours. I had to find a dog sitter and do laundry. It was a frantic two hours, but it was pretty cool.
2) What do you do during the week?
I drive the simulator a lot - 10 hours a day, typically, for two or three days of the week. That’s my day job. When I’m not doing that I’m hanging out with my dogs or hanging out at home.
3) If you were not a race car driver, what would you be doing?
Probably something in the automotive industry. I’m a big car guy. If it couldn’t be automotive, it would be video production. That’s a hobby of mine.
4) What is your favorite movie?
"Supertroopers."
5) What were your thoughts on your career-best Sprint Cup finish last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway?
It was cool to get a top-10. It was frustrating because it felt like we were better than that through points of the race, but we were just off towards the end of the race a little bit. It was definitely good to finish well, but definitely wanted more.
6) What is your go-to meal before a race?
Typically, it’s grilled chicken and vegetables. Nothing fancy.
7) What are your three most-used emojis?
The monkey with the hand over its eyes, the laughing-crying face and the thumbs up.
8) Who is your role model and why?
Right now, it's being part of Hendrick Motorsports. You look at how successful Jimmie Johnson is and you try to model yourself after that and do the things that Jimmie does and present yourself like Jimmie does. I look at his strong suits and try to model myself after that.
9) What are your hobbies outside of racing?
I work on cars a lot, and have a couple of different project cars. I do a lot with my dogs. I feel like I’m always around them and they’re always causing terror wherever they go.
10) Who is your favorite artist?
I guess I would have to say Blink-182. I was such a big fan when I was a kid. I’m a huge fan of them and got to see them for the first time in concert this year. It was a lot of fun.
11) If you had a time machine, what decade would you travel back in time to?
The 1970s. The racing and the cars were awesome then.
12) What is your favorite professional sports team?
I don’t follow sports outside of racing a lot, but I’d say the Panthers.
13) If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
I want to go to Europe. I want to take a winter trip through Europe and road-trip everywhere. I think there are some really cool abandoned old towns to go through.
14) What has been the best advice you received this year?
Everything happens for a reason. That’s been especially true through the ups and downs I’ve gone through since last year.
15) What are your goals for the remaining races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season?
Just to prove that I can compete at this level for wins and run up front. I’m trying to find a job for next year, so I’m just trying to open all the doors I can and open everybody’s eyes and show them I can win races.