Already home from Charlotte Motor Speedway last October, NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman stood poolside scrolling through his cell phone, searching for confirmation on rumors circulating regarding post-race issues with the No. 48 Chevrolet.
Less than an hour earlier, Bowman and his Hendrick Motorsports team celebrated a spot among the Round of 8 competitors. Bowman saw the news alert. The Concord, N.C., resident was disqualified, allowing Joey Logano to advance.
Alex Bowman Looking To Grow From ’24 Frustrations
Frustrated with the news carrier, Bowman’s cell went for a swim.
“I’d say I was mad for about a day,” Bowman said, as reported by the Orlando Sentinel. “Then it was just time to get back to work.”
.@Alex_Bowman has arrived at the #Ally48! pic.twitter.com/okpVMcdGoJ
— Ally Racing (@allyracing) February 13, 2025
After finishing P18 during a playoff race at the ROVAL, Bowman, amid his most consistent Cup campaign, planned to move on to the third round of the playoffs, along with teammates William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson.
A lot changed during the short ride from the track to Bowman’s residence.
NASCAR officials determined during the post-rose inspection that the machine weighed 0.5% (or about 17 pounds) over regulation. He dropped to P38, and Logano, the ninth-ranked playoff pilot, earned the invitation. Logano went on to claim a controversial circuit championship.
Logano claimed the pennant after posting an average finish of 17.11.
“It’s one of those that’s probably going to sting for a while,” Bowman told The Associated Press. “It wasn’t anything that I had any control over. There was nothing anybody could do about it. There’s no way to change it. All we really could do was move on and keep digging.”
Despite the setback, Bowman’s team compiled five top-five finishes during the 10 postseason races, which likely would have placed Bowman in the Championship 4 instead of Logano.
After compiling a career-best eight top-five finishes and 17 top-10s last season, Bowman, who captured the Chicago Street Race last summer, continues hearing social media catcalls. Of his four teammates, he was the one who did not qualify for the Round of 8.
Throughout the offseason, Bowman’s backers were forced to defend his seat.
“We ended the season really strong,” Bowman said. “I’m excited to get rolling.”
Bowman Falls Short in NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
Arriving earlier in the week for the Daytona 500, Bowman started leaving behind last season’s disappointment. With three career poles at the season-opening showcase, he entered the single-car qualifying session as one of the favorites.
Unfortunately, Bowman came up short during the two-round event, getting knocked out of the opening stage.
Chase Briscoe earned a historic pole, turning a timed lap of 49.249 seconds, edging Austin Cindric (49.325 seconds). Briscoe, who also paced the field during the first round of qualifying, awarded Toyota its first Daytona 500 start on the inside of the front row.
Thursday night’s Duel events will determine Sunday’s 41-machine lineup.
Bowman, who entered Wednesday with an opportunity to join icons Buddy Baker, Bill Elliott, and Cale Yarborough as the lone pilots to earn four Daytona 500 poles, fell short in the opening round, placing 12th at 49.506 seconds.
Bowman’s attention now turns to erasing last season’s frustrations and again trying to prove to critics that he belongs in seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson’s old ride.
“Some things in life, you don’t get over,” Bowman said, “but have to figure out how to move on with your life and keep digging from it.”
And stop fishing cell phones out of his pool.
.@Alex_Bowman will start sixth in Duel 2 tomorrow night after qualifying 12th tonight.
See you tomorrow, race fans! #Rally48 pic.twitter.com/Z3nYiuCEiA
— Ally Racing (@allyracing) February 13, 2025
