CONCORD, N.C. – This weekend, Alex Bowman is set to pilot a No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 paint scheme designed after the one made iconic by Tim Richmond for Hendrick Motorsports.
To get ready for the throwback Southern 500 weekend, he recreated some iconic Richmond photos as well.
“The photoshoot was a good time,” Bowman said. “I feel like I pulled it off pretty well.”
The Tucson, Arizona, native has been outspoken about being a fan of Richmond and has always wanted to drive a throwback paying homage to the late driver.
Now, he has that chance, as the red and gold colors that adorned Richmond’s No. 25 Chevy are featured on Bowman’s No. 88 Chevy for the Darlington race.
“Running this Tim Richmond scheme is so amazing,” he said. “Whenever I’m around somebody who worked on Tim’s car I try to ask about stories. So, I’ve heard a lot of stories and I’ve obviously watched the ’30 for 30’ documentary. I’m always in to hear more stories because there are a lot of good ones.”
Bowman teased the photoshoot with a few telltale props.
This week, the photo recreations – and accompanying gifs – have hit social media, with more to come before Sunday’s race.
“The one laying on the ground was for sure my favorite,” Bowman laughed. “I think it was very stunning. Everybody’s jaws dropped, which obviously meant I looked really good.”
The driver has had some fun with the throwback theme, but he’s ready to get the car on the track and take on the challenge of Darlington with just two races remaining in the regular season.
And he’ll look for a little luck from the scheme, as Richmond piloted the original version to Victory Lane at Darlington, leading 186 laps after starting on the pole back in 1986. It marked Hendrick Motorsports’ first win at the track “Too Tough to Tame.”
“I think the last time this paint scheme was there, it won,” Bowman said. “It would be pretty cool to get it in Victory Lane.”
And he’s confident the No. 88 team has what it takes to get that job done.
“We were really strong last year in the race until we got into the wall pretty early and it kind of ruined our day, but I think we can run really well,” he said. “We have had a week off to dig back into the notebooks. I know this No. 88 team can get the car dialed in and ready to go for Sunday.”