By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Alex Bowman may have received his loudest responses during driver introductions Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. Hey, when you’re driving Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s last ride at his most successful track, you’ll get that.
“It’s always cool when you get a bunch of cheers,” Bowman told Kickin’ The Tires. “I’m really thankful for all the 88 fans who stuck around and are still cheering for this Nationwide No. 88 car with me driving it. It’s special to come here driving it at Talladega.”
And he gave the fans reason to cheer during the race, as Bowman led for 26 laps in Sunday’s GEICO 500. The 188-lapper saw Bowman grab the race lead for the first time since February’s Daytona 500, where he started from pole.
The top spot didn’t last when it counted, however, as Bowman dropped down the order during last pit stops. Still, the first-year Hendrick Motorsports driver came home eighth.
“We always wish we would run better,” he said. “Eighth isn’t what we came here for, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
Indeed, for the third time in the last five races, the Arizona native left with a top 10. In the previous five races in 2018, Bowman and team saw zero.
Additionally, Bowman overcame small damage from the opening pit stop and avoided the handling issues throughout the field.
“I felt my car drove better than most for the most part,” he said. “We had a hole in the nose for a while that really knocked a lot of speed out of it. Fixed it by the end of the second stage and got better from there.”
Despite the bump in speed and finishing positions, Bowman only hopes it’s a stepping point to larger feats.
“Still not what we want. We just have to get more organized as a race team,” he concluded. “We’ll be good in Daytona.”
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