#88-Alex Bowman will be forced to use a third car for Sunday’s Cup race at New Hampshire. After breaking a drive shaft during practice Friday and having to go to a backup car, Bowman wrecked during final practice on Saturday morning. Hendrick Motorsports chose to pull Jimmie Johnson’s backup car off the hauler for Bowman to race.
JEFF ANDREWS, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMPETITION HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS
WHAT IS THE PLAN?
“The plan for the 88 is to get the 48 car. We chose that because its a painted car and not a wrapped car, versus the 9. To re-wrap the 48 is a better option as far as body tolerances and things like that.”
DO YOU HAVE AN 88 WRAP THAT YOU CAN PUT ON THAT CAR?
“We do. And the only decals we will have to rip off is the 48 due to the fact that the base coat is a paint. And then we will apply that 88 wrap to the 48 chassis.”
HOW DIFFICULT IS THAT TO DO WITH THE ROAD CREW AS OPPOSED TO BACK AT THE SHOP?
“It’s more difficult obviously, but we have a great group of guys. Unfortunately we have been putting them through a lot the last couple of days in this heat. But we will get through it and line up and go racing tomorrow. It’s been a tough day, but we will get through it.”
WE SAW GREG IVES TAKE THE ENTIRE TEAM ALL TOGETHER INTO THE TRANSPORTER TO GET THE PLAN TOGETHER, HOW DOES HE KEEP THEM MOTIVATED AND TOGETHER AND ALEX BOWMAN AS A DRIVER FOR DAY NUMBER THREE?
“For Alex and the team, you just have to keep track of the big picture here. We have to stay focused and not panic and go out tomorrow and do the best we can in the race. Different situations. Certainly yesterday was not Alex’s fault as we had a mechanical failure there with the driveline. Today, we are not really sure what happened there at this point and time. We just need to get the best car under Alex and the race team for tomorrow.”
— Team Chevy —