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NASCAR: 5 Lessons Learned From Phoenix

By Michael Guadalupe

Nov 13, 2016; Avondale, AZ, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (88) and Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (42) lead the field at the start of the Can-Am 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Avondale, AZ, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (88) and Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (42) lead the field at the start of the Can-Am 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Bowman has only improved over the season since filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex Bowman Deserves a Spot In The Sprint Cup Series

Alex Bowman is still subbing in for an injured Dale Earnhardt Jr., and this young driver is still trying to prove that he belongs in the Sprint Cup Series.

Phoenix turned out to be another track where Bowman would  prove himself as the driver started the race by earning the pole.

Bowman had a fast car and winning the pole is only one part of the race, but as he continued to drive the 88 car throughout the Phoenix race, he not only led laps but wasn’t afraid to battle against drivers in the Chase.

This is a huge accomplishment for the young driver.

One of the biggest issues with the Chase system has been how drivers outside of NASCAR’s version of the playoffs don’t seem to have any involvement in the sport. Bowman proved that he could care less about who was in the Chase and just because a driver like Kyle Busch was racing for a spot at Homestead didn’t mean Bowman was going to easily let the 18 pass him by.

In fact, before the last restart Bowman was  passing drivers like Busch and Kevin Harvick.

It was unfortunate that Bowman got into the 20 of Matt Kenseth as Kenseth was leading at the end of the race, but it wasn’t all Bowmans fault; Kenseth thought he was cleared but in reality he wasn’t and as he came down he hit into the 88.

On Sunday Bowman once again proved he belonged in the Sprint Cup Series and now with only one race left in the season hopefully one Sprint Cup team will be smart enough to sign this driver for the 2017 season.

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