Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday that driver Alex Bowman and sponsor Ally Financial have both reached multi-year extensions with the team that will keep the pairing together on the flagship No. 48 Chevrolet for years to come.
Bowman, who has been a full-time driver for Hendrick Motorsports since the 2018 season, was entering the 2023 season on the final year of a two-year extension he signed in the summer of 2021. Now, with the “Great American Race” looming Sunday (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) to kick off NASCAR’s historic 75th season, Bowman’s future is secure with the No. 48 team through at least 2026 with his three-year contract.
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“It means a lot obviously to have Mr. Hendrick and Ally have that much faith in me for that long is really special, so glad it’s signed and done before the season started and we can get that out of the way and just focus on going and winning races,” Bowman said during Wednesday’s Media Day sessions. “The constant questions about it every week definitely are not my favorite thing, so glad to have it done and over with and excited for what the future holds.”
Meanwhile, Ally Financial and Hendrick Motorsports reached a five-year extension through 2028 that will continue the digital financial services company’s full-season primary sponsorship of the No. 48 NASCAR Cup Series team.
“When Ally makes a commitment to something, they’re all in,” team owner Rick Hendrick said in a press release. “It’s been extremely rewarding to see their passion for the No. 48 team and the unique ways they use the sponsorship to engage with our fans. Not only do these initiatives positively influence Ally’s business – they leave a lasting impact on the communities where we race. It’s a special partnership that’s just getting started.
“We’re thrilled to extend with Alex, who is one of NASCAR’s most exciting young stars. In addition to being hugely talented, he has incredible passion and commitment that set him apart. He’s a proven winner, and I don’t know of anyone who has worked harder to reach this level. The opportunity to continue our relationships with Alex and everyone at Ally is a great way to kick off 2023. It’s a tremendous combination.”
Sunday will kick off Ally’s fifth season as the sole primary sponsor of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team. Since joining the 14-time Cup Series champions in 2019, the brand has been one of the most active in auto racing with a variety of marketing programs that include recently becoming an Official Partner of NASCAR.
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“We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Hendrick Motorsports, so extending our relationship for the next five years was a no-brainer,” said Andrea Brimmer, Ally’s chief marketing and public relations officer. “We’re one team, and Ally, together with Hendrick Motorsports and Alex, are a winning combination. Through this extension and our recently announced NASCAR sponsorship, we are fully committed to being an active part of the sport and deepening our engagement with fans.”
“Alex is our guy, and a true ally. He’s an incredible driver who shares our passion for connecting to the community,” Brimmer added. “We’re proud to stand by him as his longest sponsor and expand on this true partnership.”
Bowman, 29, joined Hendrick Motorsports full time in 2018 and has won five points-paying Cup races since moving to the No. 48 team in 2021. The Tucson, Arizona, native has earned a playoff berth in each of his five years with the organization. Entering Daytona 500 qualifying on Wednesday night (8:15 ET on FOX Sports 1), he will seek to start from the front row of NASCAR’s biggest event for the sixth consecutive time.
The move locks up the entirety of the four-driver Hendrick Motorsports lineup to long-term deals.
- Kyle Larson re-signed last September to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet through the end of the 2026 season.
- Chase Elliott is set to continue as driver of the No. 9 Chevy through 2027, announcing an extension before last February’s Daytona 500.
- William Byron has a deal in place through 2025 to drive the No. 24 Camaro ZL1. He reupped last May.
“We obviously have a really good group between the four of us,” Bowman said. “We all bring something different to the table, and I feel like having that and building on that for the foreseeable future is really cool. It’s a great group and I think it’s a positive thing.”
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