Column By: JESSY MILLER / RPW – JOLIET, IL – Alex Bowman driver of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports got his first win at Chicagoland Speedway after a long rain delay and a hard fought battle with veteran driver Kyle Larson.
One of the things Bowman said during his post race interview was, “I was just tired of finishing second. I don’t want to do that anymore.” Bowman has finished second place three times this season, two of them in a row. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” Bowman said of his win.
During Bowman’s burnout he got the No. 88 stuck in the mud. “I’m the dumb guy that won the race and got stuck in the mud.” Bowman joked and it was even added that Mr. Hendrick agreed with him during their victory call on the phone. Bowman decided to walk to the flag stand to retrieve his flag where he was greeted with much applause.
“I’m so proud of everyone-” Bowman went on to list his pit crew, the Hendricks team, and sponsors. “I had questions if Mr. H would let me keep doing this… This means so much.” There were a lot of rumors going around about Bowman and whether or not he’d get to stay with Hendricks Motorsports. He mentioned during his interview that some of the rumors were staring to get to him – but now he is a NASCAR Cup Series winner!
Bowman got a high-five from Jimmie Johnson on the way to Victory Lane, and a visit from many drivers in Victory Lane including but not limited to Kyle Larson. Larson also gave Bowman a shout out during his interview, “He did a good job of regrouping… Cool to see him get the win.”
#NASCAR … @KyleLarsonRacin goes to Victory Lane to congratulate @AlexBowman88 on his first career Cup win. pic.twitter.com/gi9V0eOBFs
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) July 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/TeamHendrick/status/1145503579173806080
As it would turn out, Alex Bowman also lead eighty-eight laps during the Camping World 400. As the official NASCAR account tweeted, “Try to write a better story, we’ll wait.” Bob Pocrass from Fox Sports got to add to the narrative when he tweeted,
From the great group who provide stats to us at FOX … Alex Bowman is the first driver to score their first career win while driving the No. 88 (and also the first to score first career Cup win at Chicagoland). #nascar
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 1, 2019
“Everyone can stop giving me crap. We finally did it!”
Let the celebration begin! pic.twitter.com/5mHivslPqQ
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) July 1, 2019
