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BROOKLYN, Mich. — Alex Bowman is just like every 23 year old, balancing the ins and outs of a new career as a young adult.
He was pulled away from his day job this week when he was asked to fill in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. — who continues to recover from concussion-like symptoms — for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 (2 p.m. ET, NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
And where is his day job? Bowman said Friday during his media availability at Michigan International Speedway that he spends his Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hendrick Motorsports working in the simulation department.
Half day at work today so I can make the flight. Ready for @MISpeedway ��������
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Alex Bowman (@AlexBRacing)
August 25, 2016
“They’re pretty flexible when you tell them that you’ve got to drive the No. 88 car and that you need to leave a couple of hours early to get to the airport, Bowman said with a laugh. “… And (the job) kind of keeps me relevant at HMS and I get to learn a lot and still be part of a race team even though I’m not driving every week. So, it’s been really cool and I’m just as thankful for that opportunity as I am for this.”
This weekend marks the second time Bowman will wheel the No. 88 Chevrolet in place of Earnhardt. He made his debut at July’s New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sprint Cup Series event, where he finished 26th after a late tire rub.
He will lineup for the weekend’s main event in the sixth position — the best starting position of his career — following Friday afternoon’s three-round qualifying session.
It is unclear whether Bowman will be back in the HMS entry for a third time this year with Jeff Gordon taking over driver responsibilities for next weekend’s Bojangles’ Southern 500, but he’s there if his employer needs him.
“We’ll just have to see Dale’s timeline, but I’m definitely happy to get in the car whenever needed,” said.