Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman has acknowledged that his success at Dover Motor Speedway is partly due to the influence of his former teammate and seven-time champion, Jimmie Johnson. Bowman’s strong performances at the 1-mile oval track have been notable, and he credits Johnson’s guidance for helping him improve on what has become his best circuit statistically.
Bowman explained in a video shared by ESPN reporter Kelly Crandall on X how much he values Dover and how working alongside Johnson helped raise his performance level. He stated,
“I always circle this place. I love this racetrack. I enjoy it. I learned a lot from being teammates with Jimmy here. I was pretty terrible until then, and I learned a lot from him. We went on a run where we didn’t finish outside the top five for forever, like until last year, really. Yeah, it’s been a good place for us,”
—Alex Bowman.
Performance Highlights at Dover with the No. 48 Chevy
Since taking over the No. 48 car following Johnson’s retirement from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition in 2021, Bowman has established himself as a strong contender at Dover Motor Speedway. He has one victory, five top-five finishes, and six top-10 results on the track. Over the course of his starts, Bowman led 142 laps with an average finish of 17.1.
His most impressive run at Dover came in May 2021, when he dominated by leading 98 laps and edging out teammate Kyle Larson for the win. Over Bowman’s last six races at this venue, he has finished in the top five five times, underscoring his consistent competitiveness.
Jimmie Johnson himself posted remarkable numbers at Dover with 10 wins and almost 3,000 laps led, while Hendrick Motorsports as a whole has dominated the track for years. The team has amassed 22 wins, 81 top-five finishes, 127 top-10s, and led more than 7,600 laps at the circuit, demonstrating their sustained strength at Dover.
Bowman’s Confidence Heading Into Future Races at Dover
Despite missing the 2023 Cup Series race at Dover due to a back injury sustained in a crash at West Burlington, Iowa, Bowman remains optimistic about his prospects at the track. Last year, starting ninth, Bowman moved through the field efficiently and finished eighth without leading a lap, showing his ability to navigate the competitive field effectively.
He reflected on his connection with the track, saying,
“This is just a place where I feel like maybe it’s a little more natural or maybe I have a better idea of exactly what I need to be successful. I can say that all I want, and we can unload and struggle this weekend, but I feel like it’s a place that I’m pretty confident going to,”
—Alex Bowman.
Current Season Standings and Upcoming Race Details
Alex Bowman is currently ranked 12th in the NASCAR Cup points standings. While he has yet to secure a win this season, he has earned 10 top-10 finishes and four top-five placements, positioning him just ahead of Ryan Preece on the playoff cutoff line. With six races remaining in the regular season, Bowman is focused on maintaining momentum to qualify for the postseason.
The upcoming AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Cup race at Dover Motor Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, July 20, with a starting time of 2 p.m. ET, providing Bowman another opportunity to build on his impressive history at this track.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Alex Bowman have a brain injury?
A. Bowman explained to NBC, “I suffered from a broken back and a brain injury, and since then, we’ve not performed well.”
Q. How did Alex Bowman get brain injury?
A. In 2022, Bowman kicked off the season by securing 2nd place in the Daytona 500 qualifiers. However, during the 63rd lap, he crashed into Harrison Burton’s car, which was flipping over.
