A
few weeks ago, young Alex Bowman asked Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a chance to drive
the Jr Motorsport No.5 Nationwide car, to which Junior agreed. Last Friday
night at Charlotte Motor Speedway was the Arizona native’s first night to seize
his opportunity. This was Bowman’s first time behind the wheel knowing he could
potentially park the car in Victory Lane at nights end.
Bowman
sported a large smile while in the Nationwide garage this weekend, knowing that
he would have a chance to win on Saturday night. The Sprint cup series regular,
driving the No. 23 for BK Racing, has never really had an opportunity in competitive
equipment, but has always made the best of whatever was available to him. Bowman
ran the full Nationwide Series last season for RAB Racing in the No.99, with
which he managed three poles and a handful of Top Ten’s.
Bowman
made a quite a statement early in the weekend by being the first in practice on
Thursday afternoon. He followed up with a seventh place qualifying effort
Friday. The momentum followed him into the Nationwide race Friday night. Bowman
had the car inside the Top 15 all night and within the Top Ten multiple times.
Bowman managed the tire issues well and fought side by side with his Jr
Motorsports teammates a few times. When all was said and done Bowman brought
the No.5 Dirty Mo Radio Chevy into a solid 12th place finish. Bowman
showed everyone last season that he could drive well, but tonight solidified
his chances at proving his potential.
-Stephen Appell
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