CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — There is a strong crop of drivers headed into free agency this summer and Alex Bowman has hardly been at the top of the list.
Brad Keselowski is a former Cup Series champion, Kyle Larson is considered the future of NASCAR and Ryan Blaney is poised for a breakout season. Erik Jones is determined not to be the lowest-performing driver at Joe Gibbs Racing, while Corey LaJoie is among a handful of young drivers desperate for a chance to drive competitive cars.
Bowman used to be in LaJoie’s situation, a group of second- and third-tier drivers routinely passed over by the top teams. They settle for underfunded teams, often have to bring their own sponsorship, don’t make much of a salary and never have a fair shot to win each week.