Alex Bowman is in his second full season with Hendrick Motorsports in 2019, having replaced the retired Dale Earnhardt Jr. as driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet after the 2017 season. Bowman earned his first berth in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2018 on the strength of setting personal-best marks in several categories. His 2018 season also saw him finish in the top five for the first time ever, which he did on three occasions, including a career-best third-place run at Pocono in July.