Alex Bowman defies expectations and aims for NASCAR Championship glory

TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 05: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 05, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman concedes he may not have been a consensus pick to challenge for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship, but after winning this summer in Chicago his team is invigorated competing. And it shows.

He’s currently ranked sixth in the standings – eight points up on the cutoff line. He’s had three top-10 finishes in the four Playoff races with a best showing of third place in the Atlanta opener. He was fifth at Talladega earlier this year and his best finish there is runner-up in 2019. He comes into the weekend very encouraged.

“It’s been a good four weeks for us, but a long way to go still,’’ Bowman said. “Just need to keep executing on a high level. I certainly know that we are capable of it, that I’m capable of it. Just have a long way to go and need to keep it up.

“We haven’t won in the Playoffs and we’re running okay, not amazing,’’ he added, conceding that he’s been underestimated for much of his career at the NASCAR Cup Series level even with eight wins.

“I think that’s been kinda the story of my career [overcoming doubters]. I know my situation with the team and what we’re capable of, but that’s just how things have been forever.”

Bowman starts 23rd Sunday.