“Really Didn’t See It Coming” – Alex Bowman Reveals He Had No Idea of Replacing Jimmie Johnson

Earlier, news broke that Alex Bowman was set to succeed Jimmie Johnson in the #48 Hendrick Motorsports car. Recently, Bowman spoke to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio about the move and made some surprising confessions. He said, “I really didn’t see it coming. As far as I knew, I was going to drive the 88 again next year.”

According to him, that was his original plan. However, he soon got the call, and it ‘hit him out of nowhere’. Despite it coming out nowhere, Alex Bowman appreciated the opportunity and faith. He also said that he really got to know the people at Ally and is looking forward to working alongside them.

Alex Bowman has big shoes to fill

Truthfully speaking, the iconic #48 car was only created solely for Jimmie Johnson. Over the past two decades, the 7-time Cup Series champion has raced with that number. So it will be hard to see any other driver take on that number.

Obviously, Alex Bowman does not want to be the next Jimmie Johnson, as there can only be one. Instead, he will try to establish his own legacy within the NASCAR community.

“I look at Alex’s career and how hard he has worked to create opportunity and to maximize opportunity. I remember him being him in the Cup Series years and years ago just fighting for his job and driving off the wheels of the cars he was in there,” Johnson said.

Bowman even revealed that Johnson openly approached him and praised his performances in his early days. Coming from a driver of his caliber, it served as a massive confidence booster for the younger driver. Jimmie Johnson also believes that Bowman has earned the #48 drive and will do him proud.

The only questions that now remain are, can Alex Bowman achieve a similar kind of success that came Johnson’s way. Moreover, who will occupy the vacant #88 seat in 2021?