Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be available to members of the media on Friday, March 15, at 1:05 p.m. local time in the media center.
BEST STARTING POSITION: Alex Bowman and the No. 88 team are fourth on the list for the best average starting position in 2019. The Arizona native has an average starting position of 8.75 in four events so far this season, highest among his Hendrick Motorsports teammates.
NATIONWIDE ON BOARD: The primary blue-and-white colors of Nationwide will be featured on the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in 20 NASCAR Cup Series events in 2019. Nationwide will adorn the hood of Bowman’s Chevrolet for this weekend’s event at Auto Club Speedway and next week at Martinsville Speedway. Last August, Hendrick Motorsports and Nationwide extended their primary partnership with Bowman and the No. 88 team for an additional two years beginning in 2019.
NEW SCHEME: Two familiar faces will adorn the No. 88 Nationwide Camaro ZL1 paint scheme this weekend in Fontana, California. Bowman’s dogs, Finn and Roscoe, can be seen on the quarter panels of the No. 88 Chevy during Sunday’s race. The special paint scheme will showcase a Nationwide product that Bowman is familiar with and uses with his two pups – pet insurance.
YOUR CHANCE TO WIN: Hendrick Motorsports’ partners at Nationwide are giving pet owners a chance to win with a special promotion this week and during the race weekend. Now underway, pet owners and fans who get a Nationwide pet insurance quote will be entered to win $250 and a custom diecast with their pet’s image on the car autographed by Bowman. Your pet could be a cat, dog, or even a reptile as Nationwide covers a variety of pets. To enter the contest, visit www.petinsurance.com/race for your chance to win.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: Bowman, a Tucson, Arizona, native, has three starts in the NASCAR Cup Series at Auto Club Speedway. His best finish of 13th came in the 2018 event when the No. 88 team started 28th. The driver has completed 99.7 percent of the total laps during those three events. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has one start at the Fontana, California, venue in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In 2013, he qualified in the sixth position and finished 12th in the spring event.
MAYBE A FIRST: Hendrick Motorsports has had two first-time NASCAR Cup Series winners at Auto Club Speedway. Jimmie Johnson got his first career Cup win in 2002 and Kyle Busch crossed the line first for his first win three years later. This weekend is Bowman’s 122nd start in the series and his fourth start at the track.
IVES IN CALIFORNIA: Crew chief Greg Ives will call the shots for the fifth time for the No. 88 team at Auto Club Speedway this weekend. The Michigan native’s driver finished sixth in 2015 after qualifying 17th for the 209-lap event. Ives’ drivers have completed 100 percent of the total laps during those four events. Ives has two starts as a crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with a best finish of third coming in 2013 with driver Regan Smith. From 2006-2012, Ives was a race engineer for the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team. During that time, he was a part of four wins, two pole awards and nine top-five finishes at Auto Club Speedway.
DRIVER SPOTLIGHT: Be sure to check out NASCAR on FOX this weekend in California, as Bowman will be this weekend’s in-race driver spotlight. Throughout the weekend, look for unique videos from the driver of the No. 88 Chevy and the Nationwide team.
BOWMAN TAKES OVER L.A.: On Friday, March 15, Bowman will take over the @FOXLA Instagram account to give followers a behind-the-scenes look at practice day in Fontana. The 25-year-old’s precious pups will even make an appearance – the vinyl versions, that is. |