Alex Bowman, a well-known NASCAR driver, expressed interest in taking part in Arizona State University’s renowned Curtain of Distraction during the next NASCAR event in town. While intrigued by the tradition’s fun atmosphere, Bowman made it clear that he would set boundaries on his involvement, specifically ruling out wearing a Speedo as part of the act.
The Curtain of Distraction is a distinctive ASU custom designed to unsettle opposing basketball players during free throws. This oversized black curtain, measuring roughly 6.5 feet tall and 8 feet wide, is suspended on a PVC frame and displayed from the student section, positioned directly behind the basket to obstruct the shooter‘s focus.
Originating in 2013 through efforts by the dedicated 942 Crew student group, the Curtain has evolved to feature elaborate skits, costumes, and various characters aimed at disrupting free-throw shooters and providing the Sun Devils home advantage.
The Unique History and Entertaining Features of the Curtain of Distraction
Over the years, ASU’s Curtain of Distraction has gained widespread attention for its creative and sometimes humorous interruptions during games. The spectacle often showcases appearances from famous figures and fictional characters, including an irate elderly woman, the villain Thanos, Michael Phelps performing a speedo-themed striptease, and even topless students.
During an interview on SpeedFreaks, Bowman responded to the idea of joining the Curtain festivities:
“This is going to sound bad. I don’t know what the Curtain of Distraction is, but it sounds really cool. All I know is ASU knows how to party way better than Tucson does. So if the Curtain of Distraction has something to do with that, yeah, probably.”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver
When asked about the possibility of emulating Michael Phelps by wearing a Speedo, Bowman replied firmly:
“Well, I’m not doing that, but nobody wants that.”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver
Bowman’s Performance in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Season
Competing in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series with Hendrick Motorsports behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet, Alex Bowman has shown solid consistency despite not yet securing a victory this year. Throughout over 26 races, he has earned two pole positions, six top-five finishes, and 14 top-ten placements.
His average finish position of 16.38 places him around the middle of the championship field. Bowman has led a total of 160 laps and completed approximately 89.9 percent of laps contested this season, demonstrating reliability and competitiveness across various tracks.
Bowman Acknowledges Hendrick Motorsports‘ Need to Improve Against Team Penske
Reflecting on his team‘s performance, Bowman openly admitted that Hendrick Motorsports has struggled compared to Team Penske, particularly at Phoenix Raceway during the 2024 Cup Series championship battle. He observed that the Penske cars have been exceptionally fast at this venue, signaling a clear performance gap.
“We’ve really struggled there [at Phoenix], but at the same time, we — to be blunt — just have a lot of work to do there, to catch the Penske cars. They’re incredibly fast there,”
Bowman remarked in an interview with Fox Sports.
Despite this, he emphasized the dedication within Hendrick Motorsports to improve:
“We have been getting to work, trying to improve that stuff. So a lot of smart people back at HMS working on it.”
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver
The 2025 season has been challenging as HMS focuses on closing the gap with dominant competitors like Team Penske, with Bowman remaining hopeful for progress.
The Significance of Bowman’s Engagement with ASU and Future Prospects
Bowman’s willingness to engage with Arizona State University’s iconic Curtain of Distraction highlights the cultural crossover between sports communities, especially as NASCAR visits the region. While he appreciates the spirited environment ASU creates, his cautious stance on participation boundaries maintains his personal brand integrity.
In the competitive NASCAR landscape, Bowman’s steady performance and candid assessment of team challenges underscore an earnest approach toward improvement. As Hendrick Motorsports continues to refine its strategy, Bowman’s commitment both on and off the track will be critical to bridging gaps with rival teams and sustaining fan engagement.
