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NASCAR: Alex Bowman can prove a lot in 2018

By Brandon Butler

LOUDON, NH - MAY 30: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Nationwide Insurance Chevrolet, looks on during testing for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on May 30, 2017 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
LOUDON, NH - MAY 30: Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Nationwide Insurance Chevrolet, looks on during testing for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on May 30, 2017 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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With his talent, Alex Bowman is capable of great accomplishments driving for Hendrick Motorsports in the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.

Replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to be a very daunting task for Alex Bowman. The “Showman” will have a lot to prove in the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season.

The last time that we saw Alex Bowman in the NASCAR Cup Series, he sparked a little controversy as he battled Kyle Busch for second place on the final lap of the Clash at Daytona in February.  This upcoming season, Bowman is taking over the reigns of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, replacing future NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.

It will be a huge task for Bowman to overcome replacing NASCAR’s most iconic figure for nearly two decades, so the “Showman” has a lot to prove in the Cup Series in 2018.  We’ve seen what he is capable of doing inside a race car.  Back in October driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, he won the Xfinity Series playoff race at Charlotte.  After the race, Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself tweeted this word of encouragement to the driver.

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Rick Hendrick also shared great praise for Bowman when he was announced as the next driver of the #88 Chevrolet, according to Hendrickmotorsports.com.

"Alex impressed the heck out of us last year with his talent, poise and professionalism.  His ability to stay focused through it all, and the way he’s handled himself since then, has shown a lot of character."

The cornerstone moment for Alex Bowman was clearly the Sprint Cup playoff race at Phoenix in November of 2016.  He would go on to win the pole for the race driving in place of Dale Earnhardt Jr.  Leading 194 laps and having an opportunity to bring home the victory, Bowman put his name on the map.  His talent and his ability to get into a race car and provide instant success makes 2018 a year where the “Showman” can prove a lot.

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Hendrick Motorsports as a whole struggled in 2017.  The team wasn’t as dominant on the race track, nor were they competing for as many victories as fans are accustomed to seeing.  But in 2018, Chevrolet will debut the new Chevrolet Camaro body that is expected to provide a more balanced competition aerodynamically between Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota.  If we see a more level playing field all around, Hendrick Motorsports will have the ability to return to its dominance and competitiveness.  And that will be good news for Alex Bowman.

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