ROVAL RINGER: This Sunday, Alex Bowman will take on the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL in the NASCAR Cup Series. The driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has shown speed in every appearance he has made at the road course layout, notching two top-five finishes and four top-10s in his four starts. In his most recent ROVAL start in 2021 (he missed the 2022 race due to injury), Bowman finished 10th after starting 12th. His average finishing position of 6.00 at this track leads drivers with at least four starts.
ROAD COURSE MASTER: Bowman is no stranger to running up front at road courses in NASCAR’s premier series. In fact, he has an average finish inside the top 10 on two serpentine layouts on the Cup Series schedule – Circuit of The Americas (4.33) and the Charlotte ROVAL (6.00). This season, he has earned top-five finishes at both COTA (third) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (fifth).
SET FOR THE RESTART: The Tucson, Arizona, native ranks as the fifth-best driver on restarts in 2023, according to data from Racing Insights. That mark is the second-best among the Hendrick Motorsports quartet, with teammate Kyle Larson is second in this statistical category.
HARRIS ON THE ROAD: Crew chief Blake Harris has two top-five finishes and four top-10s in nine road course starts atop the pit box in the Cup Series. On courses that turn left and right, his teams have an average start of 12.11 and an average finish of 15.44.
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: Bowman, who has been outspoken about his mental health, will wear a special helmet ahead of World Mental Health Day (on Oct. 10). Adorning a green ribbon on the side, Bowman has created merch through Alex Bowman Racing to help raise money and awareness for those who struggle with mental health issues. To buy a limited-edition t-shirt, click here.
CROWN THE KING: On Wednesday, Charlotte FC honored Bowman as their coronation honoree. The seven-time Cup Series winner took the field in the pre-game ceremonies and sat in the coronation throne, tying Ally’s worlds together in one venue.
FUELING FUTURES: Ally hosted its annual Fueling Futures event on the campus of Hendrick Motorsports this week. The primary partner of the No. 48 team created four individual “pit stops” for students from Charlotte's Garinger High School and Harding University High School, providing a behind-the-scenes look at various job opportunities within the racing industry, including engineering, marketing, financial education and pit crew. After the group completed all the pit stops, Bowman and Ally Influencer Bernard Pollard answered questions from the students.
SAVE THEM ALL: Bowman and primary partner Ally are teaming up this year to bring back the Best Friends Animal Society donation effort. This week, the duo will make charitable contributions to Friends of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Services, Inc., which serves the local community in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bowman and Ally will donate $4,800 to Best Friends and Friends of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Services, Inc.. Ally will increase its donation to $10,000 if the No. 48 team wins on Sunday.
SHINING BRIGHT IN THE DAYTIME: For the race at the ROVAL, the No. 48 Ally Chevy will adorn its "day" scheme. This scheme hosts a white base with bright plum, grapefruit and seafoam stripes down the sides. Check out all the angles of the ride here.
Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his success at the Charlotte ROVAL: "I have had a lot of speed there in my four starts and it has been one of my better road courses statistically. Even when I look back at our other races on road courses, we have had a lot of speed and been able to be a factor in almost all of them. We had a third-place result at COTA, had a good No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in Chicago before we were taken out and then ran really strong at Indy. I am really optimistic about our chances to go to the (Charlotte Motor Speedway) ROVAL this weekend and be a car that is capable of winning. Our team has certainly had its struggles this season, but we have also been incredibly good at staying focused on the task at hand and this weekend is no different."
Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his mindset heading to the Charlotte ROVAL: "I have a lot of confidence in our road course package and what we have been able to develop for Alex (Bowman) over the year. Hendrick Motorsports already had a great foundation after their first year with the Next Gen car and then we continued to build off of that. We had a lot of speed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and Alex has been really good at the ROVAL. Heading there this weekend is something we feel like we can go into more confident that we will unload with speed and be able to be in contention."
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