CONCORD, N.C. -- With the newest Major League Soccer team preparing to make its 2022 debut in Charlotte, North Carolina, Alex Bowman will pilot a special No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE scheme for the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at the Charlotte ROVAL.
Bowman will turn right and left at the road course in a Charlotte FC scheme that is meant to excite fans for MLS’ newest expansion team. To commemorate the partnership between the No. 48 team, Charlotte FC and primary sponsor Ally, Bowman and Charlotte FC defender Christian Fuchs spent an afternoon in each other’s shoes to bring the two different sports together.
“I’m excited to have Charlotte FC on the car for the ROVAL,” Bowman said. “It was really cool getting to meet Christian and do some drills, hang out for a bit and give him a ride in some practice cars. I’ve never been to a big soccer game, so I maybe have to change that.”
Fuchs, who hails from Austria and spent the majority of his soccer career in Europe, got to have a quasi-NASCAR experience with Bowman as they participated in practice pit stops. The ride alongs were eye-opening for Fuchs, who got to see first-hand how intense Cup Series racing can be.
“It’s a very cruel sport. I said in the car when we were on a nice, slow lap that I banged my head about 30 times in 30 seconds,” Fuchs joked. “It shows how much of a team effort NASCAR racing is – how every single move has to be coordinated and perfectly timed. I was really impressed with Alex and also the pit crew on how they have to do so many different jobs in literally a couple of seconds. It’s very impressive.”
The two later headed to the Hendrick Motorsports practice field, where Bowman and the No. 48 Ally pit crew participated in basic soccer drills. Overall, the pair is excited to raise the hype surrounding the arrival of Charlotte FC and both hope the soccer-themed look at the ROVAL will create more of a crossover the two sports.
“I think running this scheme is crucial to NASCAR and soccer fans,” Bowman said. “It means a lot to be able to incorporate the two and I think it will really open some soccer fans’ eyes to how amazing the sport of NASCAR is – how competitive and driven we are.”
The Cup Series Round of 12 race at the Charlotte ROVAL will be Sunday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. ET on NBCSN. To see Bowman’s unique scheme from all angles, click here.