Alex Bowman
Car 88

Alex Bowman and CI Win at Auto Club Speedway

The No. 88 Cincinnati team rolled off the truck strong on Friday afternoon and the team continued to show speed throughout the weekend. Alex Bowman qualified third for Sunday’s 400-mile event at Auto Club Speedway. Shortly after taking the green flag, the driver was shuffled back into the fourth position on Lap 3. Just two laps later, Bowman advanced two positions and was running second. Throughout the first 10 laps of the 200-lap event, the top four drivers continued to battle for position lap after lap.

The Tucson, Arizona native, took the lead on Lap 11 and by Lap 18 had over a one second lead over teammate Jimmie Johnson. On Lap 22, Bowman reported to the Cincinnati team that his car was really good in Turns 3 and 4 and resembled how the car ran during practice on Friday. Crew chief Greg Ives called Bowman to pit road for four tires and fuel on Lap 29 and once green flag stops cycled through the No. 88 was once again the leader. Over the course of the next 30 laps, the Cincinnati machine held the lead and would win Stage One of the race. Bowman told Ives that his car was the same balance wise as the previous run.

Ives elected to bring the Cincinnati machine to pit road for another four tire stop and Bowman was set to restart third on Lap 66. One lap after taking the green, Bowman was battling the No. 12 of Ryan Blaney for the second position. By Lap 90, Bowman had settled into the second position and green flag stops were about to begin. The Cincinnati crew chief called the driver to pit road just one lap later for four tires and fuel. As Bowman was leaving pit road, the caution flag was shown. Ives made the call to remain on track and the No. 88 Chevrolet was set to restart second on Lap 95.

With 100 laps to go in the event, Bowman was running in the third position. The 26-year-old driver made the pass for second on Lap 105 and would ultimately end Stage Two in that position. Bowman had no complaints about the car and Ives brought him to pit road for four tires and fuel under the stage ending yellow. The team was set to restart second on Lap 127. By Lap 132, Bowman was back in the lead. Spotter Kevin Hamlin continued to relay information to Bowman on what was going on behind the Cincinnati machine during each lap. Ives brought the driver to pit road on Lap 161 for a scheduled green flag stop. The team put on four fresh tires and added fuel and Bowman was back out on track in the first position.

Bowman remained quiet on the radio throughout the remainder of the event and with two laps to go, he remained in the lead. The Cincinnati machine had an almost five second lead on the second-place competitor when the white flag was shown. After one final solid lap on track, Bowman crossed the line to bring home his second career NASCAR Cup Series victory in 156 races.

This win was Bowman’s first victory and first top-10 finish at Auto Club Speedway in five events. Sunday’s victory was the first win and first top-10 finish of the 2020 season for the No. 88 team. Bowman and the Cincinnati team are now locked into the 2020 NASCAR playoffs.

Quoting Alex Bowman:

"How about that California! I grew up quarter midget racing here, maybe 20 minutes from Pomona Valley. Went there every week. Made a lot of great friends there. I know a lot of you are here today. Man so cool for Cincinnati. Seems like every time they are on the car we run really good. Promised my buddy Aaron we would all get 88 tattoos if we won so I think I have to get a tattoo now. It will be a good time. It's been a lot of fun. Thanks to Greg and all the guys. Greg made a lot of good calls today. We were up front when it counted."

THE SECOND WIN IS ALMOST AS SPECIAL AS THE FIRST BECAUSE IT PROVES THE FIRST WASN'T A FLUKE:

"Yes, for sure. The first one was a real enjoyable experience and then we weren’t great for six months. We started this year so strong. I feel like I've got a lot on my side that I'm doing better. My life has gotten a lot more organized than it was then. Greg and the guys are just on point. We've unloaded the last two weeks and I don't think we have had to make a change to the race car from the way it came off the truck. That makes my job a lot easier. I'm just so proud of this team. Everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick horsepower under the hood. The whole shop back home. They work their butts off. We've put a lot of effort in this new car and it is obviously working out really well."