Beyond the Flag
Fansided

NASCAR: Five Drivers To Replace Dale Earnhardt Jr.

By Matt Lovisa

Mar 5, 2017; Hampton, GA, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) leads NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (42) around turn four during the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Hampton, GA, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) leads NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (42) around turn four during the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Nov 18, 2016; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (88) looks on during practice for the Ford Ecoboost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2016; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (88) looks on during practice for the Ford Ecoboost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex Bowman

Currently: Hendrick Motorsports, test/simulator driver

Why it will happen: Bowman filled in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in ten races last season and almost won the race at Phoenix after starting from the pole and leading a race-high 194 laps. Bowman turned down offers during the offseason and decided to stay with Hendrick Motorsports in a substitute and test driver capacity.

Patience could pay off for Bowman and with it, a full-time ride behind the wheel of the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. In his ten starts in 2016, Bowman finished inside the top-15 in five of those races and failed to finish just one race. Bowman raced in the Cup Series for BK Racing in 2015 and Tommy Baldwin Racing in 2016, both underfunded teams. The upside is very high for Bowman, who has yet to have a full-time season in competitive equipment.

Why it won’t happen: Bowman does not come with sponsorship already in hand for a race team that has had to find sponsorship for NASCAR’s most popular driver. Bowman has also only raced in top-level equipment for a stretch of ten consecutive races throughout his career in the Cup Series, placing him at a slight disadvantage compared to others.

This may make Bowman more moldable, but does it also mean he has picked up some bad habits while driving under-performing and underfunded cars? A ten-race sample size is too small to make that determination. Despite Bowman performing well, a 36-race schedule is a much more daunting task.

Home/Dale Earnhardt Jr