Alex Bowman
A meticulous wheelman who stepped into a legend's seat, he carved his own path by mastering the art of qualifying and consistency.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American racing driver·Birthday: April 25·Millennials
Biography
Alex Bowman (b. 1993) took over the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in 2021, a car driven to seven championships by Jimmie Johnson. Raised in Tucson, Arizona, he climbed through NASCAR's lower ranks, initially drawing attention for his iRacing skill rather than on-track results. His break came in 2016 when he substituted for the injured Dale Earnhardt Jr., handling the pressure with steady, respectful composure. That performance led to the full-time seat in the 48 car. Rather than copying Johnson's aggressive style, Bowman leaned on technical feedback, smooth driving, and exceptional one-lap speed. He has become a qualifying specialist, repeatedly capturing the Daytona 500 pole position. While chasing his first championship, he has built a reputation as a clean, consistent competitor who wins through preparation and poise, proving himself more than a caretaker of a storied number.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Alex was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alex Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Alex's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- He holds the record for six consecutive Daytona 500 front-row starts (2018-2023), winning the pole position three times (2018, 2021, 2023).
- He has won multiple NASCAR Cup Series races, including a victory at the prestigious Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2019.
- He successfully transitioned into the role of driver of the historic No. 48 car for Hendrick Motorsports, one of the most pressurized seats in the sport.
- He owns and operates Alex Bowman Racing, a team that fields entries in dirt midget and sprint car racing.
Did You Know?
He is an accomplished sim racer and credits the iRacing platform with helping him learn tracks early in his career.
His first major racing sponsorship came from a pizza restaurant chain in Tucson where he used to eat as a kid.
He is a devoted animal lover and has multiple rescue dogs, often featuring them on his social media.
He drove a sprint car painted like the 'Mystery Machine' from Scooby-Doo in a 2021 dirt race.
“I'm just a normal, nerdy kid that played a lot of video games and somehow ended up here.”
