Alex Bowman drove the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet for the first time in this year’s Busch clash.
In a car reshuffle within HMS, Bowman was handed the No. 48 car after Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time Cup racing at the end of the 2020 season. Bowman’s No. 88 car was retired and the new edition to the team, Kyle Larson, was handed the No. 05 car.
In the race, Bowman finished as the seventh fastest out of 24 cars. Johnson has previously spoken about his succession with high praise. After watching Bowman ride on a dark purple No. 48 car, Johnson reacted by tweeting:
Sweet lookin ride bro! 🤙 https://t.co/IYzWBLUEnN
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) February 10, 2021
While Bowman will have a lot of expectations with his new car, as the car holds innumerable records with its former driver, he has started in the right direction by qualifying for the pole position for the 2021 Daytona 500.
[Read More: Full 2021 Daytona 500 starting lineup revealed]
What has Johnson previously said about Alex Bowman taking over the No. 48 car?
Johnson has always kept a fair level of praise for his former teammate and having seen him develop through the years, the seven-time champion believes that he is the right person to be handed the responsibility.
“To see him develop as a driver and continue to apply himself more and more each and every year, to continue to mature and grow. He’s earned the right,” Johnson has said.
[Read More: “I was shocked” – Kyle Busch Opens Up On Split With Adam Stevens]