Fitness is a crucial aspect of every sport. The sport of racing requires not just physical but also mental competence from the drivers. More so in a result-oriented industry like NASCAR. Hendrick Motorsports #48 driver Alex Bowman understood this lesson the hard way. After an injury-ridden start to the 2023 season, he has faced many more obstacles en route to his goal of qualifying for the playoffs.
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This has been the story for Bowman this season: Rain-shortened races, injuries, and wrecks. But the legendary Hendrick Motorsports former crew chief, Steve Letarte, still has complete faith in the driver. He highlights the lack of recognition of Bowman’s abilities behind the steering wheel by explaining his stance on Dirty Mo Dough.
“No one ever says Bowman’s my guy”: Hendrick Motorsports legend on people underrating Bowman
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Bowman was off to a flying start in March, as he raked in three consecutive top 10s to open his season. What is more praiseworthy is that two of those finishes were also top-5 finishes. From his best-ever start in his Cup career to an injury-laden season spent fighting for the playoffs, Bowman’s experiences were poles apart. He will arrive in Michigan as the 21st-placed driver in the point standings and five places below the cut-off line.
Due to these reasons, the 30-year-old has also experienced a decrease in popularity. People have started writing off his skills and potential to win races, which Letarte rightly emphasizes.
“No one ever says Bowman’s my guy. No one ever says Bowman’s the man. They all wear their Denny Hamlin hack t-shirts, right?” declares Steve.
“Now it’s been a struggle since he’s come back from the back injury. Even when he wins though, how about this, he has a minuscule amount of top 5s versus his percentage of wins. Like when he wins, you know, poof, here I am. Holy! Where do you come from?”
Bowman has seven Cup Series wins in his career. When he kicked off his season with a pole-winning performance at Daytona, most people were expecting it to be his eighth win. But fast forward to Michigan, and the fairy tale has taken a cruel twist.
Letarte uses a Dale Earnhardt Jr. reference
Some weeks ago, Bowman opened up about his struggles with fitness and the mental blockade in front of him. Bowman’s fractured vertebra injury was the result of a Sprint Car crash in West Burlington in the event hosted by teammate Kyle Larson, the High Limit Series. Since then, he has had to miss three point-paying races and looked in great shape after his practice rounds at North Wilkesboro. Recovering from an injury of this scale can have its demerits in the long run. Speaking about the same, Letarte adds.
“He did tell Marty Snider reported on the air that his back is still not 100 percent. It doesn’t hurt in the car but he feels it Monday Tuesday Wednesday after… I mean let’s why we’re judging him on being a driver.” clarifies Steve.
“The man did flip a Sprint Car and break his back this year. So, I know we want to judge him ice cold but maybe the guy you know… if me or you would be back in the car and he’s out there driving. “
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Dale Earnhardt Jr., ever since his retirement, has nonchalantly contributed to the sport. From his box of initiatives, another one that has been given birth is Ride with Dale Jr. The ride-along plan is for enthusiastic fans who look forward to fulfilling their dream of driving alongside the great Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“You’d be like that guy in the Dale Jr ride-along. ‘Nope, you’re not gonna make it, you gotta get out.’ says Letarte throwing a sarcastic dig with a comparison between the abilities.
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Apart from the ride-along Junior also offers tickets for the races on Saturday and Sunday to the chosen few, photos with him, and obviously, the most important drive-through of the track with the man himself.
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