With the deal between Alex Bowman and full-season sponsor Ally Financial set to expire at the end of the 2023 season, the future of the No. 48 driver with Hendrick Motorsports remains unclear.
Bowman has replaced some big names within the HMS lineup. First, he took over the No. 88 car from Dale Earnhardt. Jr. And when seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time racing in NASCAR, Bowman moved to the No. 48 car after the 2020 season.
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He has performed reasonably well since then. He won four races in the 2021 season. While he only won one race in the 2022 season, he was still one of the best drivers in the playoffs.
Unfortunately, a concussion suffered at Texas Motor Speedway ruled him out of five races and out of title contention too. He did return in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
While he might not be as prolific as his other teammates in HMS, two of which won the last three Cup Series championships, Bowman brings home some wins every year for HMS.
Given his age and talent, HMS would certainly not want to part with their No. 48 driver. But given the current climate in NASCAR, regarding how Kyle Busch’s contract expiration with his long-time sponsor led to his departure from Joe Gibbs Racing, Bowman’s departure is not an impossibility.
Denny Hamlin at JGR too finds himself in a similar situation with FedEx for the No. 11 car.
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