Thanks to the 48 team, Joey Logano managed to waltz his way to becoming the weakest Cup Series champion in history. Was the diminished weight truly worth bringing this chaos into the world? Hopefully for 2025, Alex Bowman and his team can avoid costly penalties that gift wrap Round of 8 spots to eliminated drivers. Also, maybe Bowman can finally have his second multi-win season in his career. What will be in store for the Hendrick Motorsports #48 team as the countdown hits 32 Days to Daytona.
The #48 Team
Driver: Alex Bowman
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Sponsors: Ally Financial
2024 Statistics:Â 1 Win, 8 Top-5s, 17 Top-10s, 1 Pole, 14.8 Average Finish
2025 Season Preview
A Warming Seat
At this point, it feels like an annual tradition to question Alex Bowman’s status with Hendrick Motorsports. No matter how well he performs, there will be constant chatter about whether this season will be the last for Bowman in the 48 (or 88 previously). Nothing has changed for 2025. After fielding weeks worth of questions about his status last season, Bowman better be prepared for it again. However, this time there might be more merit to the questions. Spire Motorsports is currently holding two young prospects who might be ideal replacements for Bowman. Plus, Carson Hocevar cryptically posted pictures of him driving around the Hendrick Motorsports cars, except for Bowman.
Keeping Up with His Teammates
The main reason why Alex Bowman constantly sees his name in silly season conversation is his lack of competitiveness among the Hendrick quartet. To be fair, the amount of talent at Hendrick right now can only be rivaled by mid-2000s Roush Racing and late 2000s/early 2010s Hendrick. Comparing anyone to the trio of Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott is a high bar to clear. However, that is the predicament that Bowman finds himself. Outside of 2021, he has never put together a multi-win season. Surely, the expectation for the 48 team will be to find victory lane at least twice.
Use Playoff Success as Springboard
Before the start of the playoffs, Alex Bowman’s 2024 was looking rather pedestrian. Sure, he won at Chicago but nothing else really stood out. Once the playoffs hit, Bowman seemed to find a new gear. Granted, he still failed to lead more than 35 laps during any of those races. Yet, he found a way to maximize his point totals. Between the first two rounds of the playoffs, no one scored more points than Bowman. Imagine what could have been if Bowman grabs the final spot over Logano. If Bowman and his team can bottle that success for next season, that might help quiet some of the silly seasons rumors.
Daytona 500 Outlook
Last year, Alex Bowman was mere feet away from claiming the Daytona 500 win for himself. Had the caution been called slightly later, then he would have brought home the Harley J Earl Trophy during Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th Anniversary season. However, William Byron was able to claim that honor. Now, Bowman will look to pick up where he left off in the Daytona 500. An early win (especially in the 500) could help ease the pressure that he could be facing in 2025.
If you are looking for a driver with great consistency at Daytona, look no further than Alex Bowman. In his 17 starts at the track, Bowman only has 1 DNF with 7 non-lead lap finishes. Through his past 5 Daytona starts, Bowman has finished 16th or better. Whether it is skill or luck is to be determined. Either way, the 48 team has figured out consistency in a chaotic place. Of course, the Hendrick engines should boost Bowman toward the front during qualifying. Based on his success at Daytona, perhaps Bowman should be given more consideration as a favorite for the Great American Race.
Days to Daytona Countdown
40 Days: Team Penske #22; 39 Days: Team Penske #12; 38 Days: Hendrick #24;
37 Days: 23XI Racing #45; 36 Days: Joe Gibbs Racing #20;
35 Days: Hendrick Motorsports #5; 34 Days: Hendrick Motorsports #9
33 Days: Joe Gibbs Racing #11
