In three weeks’ time, there will be Cup Series cars on track for Daytona 500 qualifying. 21 Days to Daytona away from knowing the front row for the Daytona 500. Based on the past six years, the 48 Hendrick Motorsports team is likely to be on the front row. However, this team is coming off a 2023 that saw Alex Bowman get injured and miss the playoffs. How will this season go with a fully healed Alex Bowman?
#48 Hendrick Motorsports
Driver: Alex Bowman
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Sponsors: Ally Financial
2024 Season Preview
Another Potential Hot Seat
There might not be another team that has higher expectations for their drivers than Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick Motorsports is still viewed as the pinnacle of the Cup Series, which means their drivers must perform at the top level of the sport. Making the playoffs is not enough. Being a championship contender is the expectation. Heading into 2024, Alex Bowman is the only Hendrick driver that has yet to fulfill that expectation. Despite the Ally backing, could Hendrick look to switch Bowman out if he fails to compare to his teammates again?
A Healthy Alex Bowman
While Alex Bowman’s seat might be hot due to a poor 2023, it is important to remember that the 48 driver was likely on his way to a career season prior to his injury. Before getting hurt, Bowman racked up 6 Top-10s in the first 7 races. Also, Bowman had the best average finish in the series and led the points prior to a penalty being levied on him. Based on his performance when he returned, it seemed clear that Bowman was not 100% healthy. Now that he has had time to recover, could fans see a return of pre-injured 2023 Bowman?
Fourth String
As discussed earlier, Alex Bowman clearly sits fourth in the pecking order at Hendrick Motorsports. Usually, he is the driver many point to be booted from his ride. Plus, Bowman’s signing with Hendrick was more of a Dale Earnhardt Jr move than a Hendrick one. While Bowman has rattled off 7 wins in his time with Hendrick, it seldom feels enough to keep the doubters and rumors away. After William Byron’s breakout 2023, there are more eyes watching Bowman to see if he can break through in a similar way.
Seventh Straight Daytona 500 Front Row
Alex Bowman already holds the record for most consecutive Daytona 500 front rows with six. Entering this year’s Daytona 500, Bowman will look to extend that streak to seven. It feels like a safe bet that the front row will be comprised of two Hendrick teams. Somehow, Bowman has been one of those two since 2018. Bowman will have to put together two fast laps to keep the streak alive.
Daytona 500 Chances
While the front row might seem like a sure thing, how Alex Bowman fares in the Daytona 500 is more questionable. Last year marked the first time that Bowman finished inside the Top-10 for the Daytona 500. Unlike two of his teammates, Bowman usually finishes the 500 under power. However, it normally is off the lead lap. Only twice in his Hendrick tenure has Bowman finished on the lead lap for the Daytona 500. Trouble finds the front row sitter, but not enough to wipe him out of the race.
Speedweeks Outlook
Alex Bowman will be on the front row for the Daytona 500 for a seventh straight race. Chisel it in stone. This is where Bowman is an elite driver. He knows how to push the pedal down and turn left better than every other Cup Series driver. If this happens, it means Alex Bowman fans can skip his Bluegreen Vacations Duel race. Every year during this streak, Bowman has simply logged laps at the tail end of the field during his duel race. Will the front row lead to success in the Daytona 500? That is not the safe bet. More likely, Alex Bowman will sustain damage at some point during the Great American Race and limp home in the 20s.
Previous Days
40-36 Days: 40 – #12, 39 – #5, 38 – #24, 37 – #20, & 36 – #11
35-31 Days: 35 – #45, 34 – #17, 33 – #6, 32 – #1, & #31 – #9
30-26 Days:Â 30 – #19, 29 – #22, 28 – #4, 27 – #8, & 26 – #34
