Alex Bowman took over for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick Motorsports. The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series began with the Daytona 500, which had a chaotic final lap and ended under caution. The driver leading when the caution flag came out, Bowman, was declared the winner. His teammate finished in second place, while Christopher Bell from JGR took third.
The race’s conclusion sparked controversy among fans. Some argued that NASCAR made the wrong decision by ending the race early and believed it should have continued under green. However, this argument was invalid because Bowman, who was spun out by another driver, was in a vulnerable position as he slid back onto the track.
Another point of controversy was the in-car camera footage from Bowman’s No:48 Chevy, which showed him ahead of Byron when the yellow lights turned on. Unfortunately for Bowman, the lights took some time to activate, as the yellow lights at the tower were already flashing. Bowman expressed his heartbreak over the situation and his loss to Dale Earnhardt Jr.
NASCAR resolved the controversies surrounding the finish of the 2024 Daytona 500, in part, because the drivers involved were from the same team. Regardless of who won, Hendrick Motorsports achieved an impressive 1-2 finish. If someone from another team, like Ross Chastain, had taken the win away from Bowman or Byron, it would have caused more drama online and forced NASCAR to provide further clarification. However, the driver has moved on from the incident and is now focused on the next race.
The year 2024 holds significance for Bowman as he aims to prove himself after a winless 2023 season due to a mid-season injury. He is determined to end his winless streak early on and secure a spot in the playoffs.