NASCAR: Alex Bowman penalty cost another driver the championship

As a long-time NASCAR enthusiast with countless weekends spent glued to my television screen, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions after the dramatic turn of events at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. The thrill of Alex Bowman seemingly securing his spot in the round of 8 only to be disqualified was a rollercoaster ride that left me breathless.

As a die-hard racing enthusiast, I found myself on cloud nine after Alex Bowman, from Hendrick Motorsports, had clinched a spot in the final round at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval – a first since 2020 for him. However, the joy was short-lived as fate cruelly intervened just a few hours later, eliminating him from contention.

48 Chevrolet driven by Bowman was discovered to be under the required weight, leading to his disqualification. This disqualification cost him crucial points, which ultimately knocked him out of the Round of 8, allowing Joey Logano from Team Penske to move forward instead.

As a thrilled admirer, I’m ecstatic to share that I was there when Logano clinched the opening round of the 8 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway! This victory propels him into the Championship 4, extending an impressive streak – six wins in even-numbered years!

If Bowman hadn’t been disqualified during the round of 8, his point total wouldn’t have been sufficient for him to reach the Championship 4. As it turned out, this disqualification benefited Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell because it allowed Logano to advance. Had Logano not made it to the round of 8, the spot in the Championship 4 that he occupied would have gone to someone else instead.

But it wasn’t Bell who would have won the championship, had Bowman not been disqualified.

Logano held off teammate Ryan Blaney in the closing laps of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway to become a three-time champion, just four weeks after he was thought to have been eliminated. He also won the titles in 2018 and 2022.

If Bowman hadn’t been suspended, the championship fight would have been between Blaney and William Byron from Hendrick Motorsports, and once again, Blaney would have clinched the title with a second-place finish in the final race of the season.

If the driver of the No. 12 Ford had won, they would have been the first racer to claim two consecutive titles since Jimmie Johnson secured five straight championships from 2006 to 2010.

Instead, the third consecutive Cup Series championship for Roger Penske was won by his teammate driving the No. 22 Ford, which can be traced back to the disqualification of Bowman.

The upcoming 67th Daytona 500, marking the start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, is planned for Sunday, February 16. Fox will broadcast the event live from Daytona International Speedway.

2024-11-12 16:02

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