Kyle Petty has voiced strong support for Alex Bowman and encouraged Hendrick Motorsports to retain him despite a challenging 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. Bowman Hendrick Motorsports has experienced inconsistent results, but Petty emphasized the value Bowman brings to the team dynamic and progress.
Bowman narrowly secured a spot in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, ultimately failing to advance past the Round of 16. His year has featured a mixture of top-10 finishes alongside several races where he finished outside the top 30, reflecting an uneven performance. Currently, Bowman occupies 13th place in the driver standings, while all of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates remain above the playoff threshold.
Although Bowman managed an eighth-place finish at the recent Bass Pro Shops Night Race, poor results at key venues like Darlington and Gateway have hindered his overall standing. Addressing Bowman’s position within the Hendrick lineup, Kyle Petty noted,
“That’s always been the MO at Hendrick Motorsports. They always have one car that lags behind a little bit. 48 team, seems to be the team since Jimmie Johnson left, that lags behind a little bit.”
Petty added,
“Now should they get rid of him….it’s Rick’s decision, not our decision….The sponsor likes him, Rick likes him, the team likes him, he adds something to the combination and he helps the whole group move forward. So let’s give him another shot,”
Bowman’s playoff qualification came without a victory this season, which weighed on his postseason prospects. Having previously won at the Chicago Race, expectations were high, but he was unable to replicate that success, settling for eighth place. Moreover, Ryan Blaney’s unexpected win at Daytona effectively saved Bowman’s playoff appearance, as without it Bowman would have been eliminated from the postseason.
After Bowman’s exit in the Round of 16, Hendrick Motorsports made a strategic decision to reassign his pit crew to William Byron’s No. 24 car, indicating a possible adjustment in team roles moving forward.
Kyle Petty Praises Denny Hamlin’s Continued Success
Beyond Bowman, Kyle Petty highlighted Denny Hamlin’s remarkable career achievements and expressed confidence in the Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s potential to continue adding to his win tally. Hamlin recently secured his fifth victory of the season at Gateway, showcasing impressive consistency at 44 years old among elite competition.
“Denny is doing something, I’m telling you guys. Somebody may prove me wrong, but I think he’s gonna be the last guy to climb that mountain and put that stick in the ground up there that says 60 time winner plus, because I don’t think he’s gonna stop at 60,” Kyle Petty said via X/NASCAR.
As the driver with the most wins this season, Hamlin currently leads the playoff standings with a 26-point advantage. He is closely followed by William Byron and Kyle Larson, each maintaining a 24-point buffer above the cutoff line. Hamlin now prepares to compete at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the start of the Round of 12, where he has already claimed three wins.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of Bowman’s Future with Hendrick Motorsports
Alex Bowman’s 2024 campaign has underscored both challenges and his contributions within Hendrick Motorsports’ four-car lineup. Kyle Petty’s endorsement suggests that despite setbacks, Bowman still plays a key role in supporting and advancing the team’s overall performance. Decisions about Bowman’s future will rest with team leadership, but his presence connects strongly with sponsors and teammates alike.
With the playoffs progressing and competition intensifying, efforts to optimize team synergy, including potential pit crew shifts and driver adjustments, will be vital for Hendrick Motorsports’ ambitions. Observers will watch closely to see if Bowman can regain momentum and help the organization challenge deeper into the 2025 Cup Series postseason.
