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Bob PockrassNASCAR
Hendrick Motorsports has extended the contract of driver Alex Bowman for one year through 2020 as Nationwide has extended its sponsorship of the No. 88 team for the next two seasons.
Bowman, who replaced Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 car this year, was signed through 2019 but sponsor Nationwide had inked only a 1-year deal following Earnhardt’s retirement. Their contracts are now concurrent, and Nationwide will increase its number of races as primary sponsor from 19 this year to 20 apiece in 2019 and 2020.
At 15th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, Bowman holds the current last spot on points to get into the playoffs with five races left in the regular season. He is coming off a career-best third-place finish at Pocono Raceway
“Alex has the talent to win races and compete for championships,” team owner Rick Hendrick said in a news release. “He and [crew chief] Greg [Ives] are clicking, and we have a lot of confidence in what they will accomplish together.
“From our driver and team to our sponsors, we have an exciting No. 88 program that’s set for the foreseeable future.”
While having a couple of years experience in Cup and also 10 races as a fill-in for Earnhardt in 2016, Bowman primarily served as Hendrick’s simulation and test driver in 2017 before landing the opportunity to replace Earnhardt.
“Having this kind of support is incredible,” Bowman said. “From Nationwide and our other partners to Mr. Hendrick, Greg and all my teammates, I feel very fortunate to be in such an awesome position.
“We have an opportunity to have a lot of success together. To hear a sponsor like Nationwide and a team like Hendrick Motorsports say I’m their guy gives me a ton of confidence and motivation to go out there and deliver results.”
The signing of Nationwide solidifies sponsorship for Bowman, who also has had sponsorship from longtime Hendrick partner Axalta.
“We’re pleased with Alex’s representation of Nationwide – both on and off the track,” Nationwide chief marketing officer Terrance Williams said.
“Our partnership is off to a great start heading into its second year, and he’s quickly built an authentic relationship with the brand that he conveys naturally through talking about our products and services.”
Nationwide joined Hendrick as a primary sponsor in 2015 with Earnhardt.
“We have such a strong partnership with Nationwide,” Hendrick said. “From doing great things in the community with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to driving significant value back to their business, it’s truly impressive to see how they consistently make the maximum impact with their racing program.
“We appreciate the incredible relationship with their whole team and look forward to more great things in the coming years.”
The Bowman/Nationwide extension leaves Hendrick with just one missing piece to fill for 2019 as the team continues to look for sponsorship for seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. Lowe’s announced earlier this year that 2018 would be its final season with Johnson, whose contract runs through 2020.
“We have three good candidates we’re talking to,” Hendrick said Sunday at Pocono. “We haven’t signed anything yet. I feel we’ve got some good energy around it. Hopefully we will have something done here by the end of the summer.”