Alex Bowman Addresses Speculation That Jimmie Johnson Will Take the No. 48
Alex Bowman, the driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro for Hendrick Motorsports, recently addressed speculation that Jimmie Johnson will take the No. 48 for Petty GMS.
Back in the beginning of November, Petty GMS announced that Johnson would be returning to the NASCAR Cup Series as not only part of the team’s ownership, but he would also be competing in select races during the 2023 season including the 65th annual Daytona 500.
Petty GMS owner Maury Gallagher stated, “I couldn’t be happier to have Jimmie Johnson joining Petty GMS. We have been consistent since we began our Cup effort last year in wanting to be up front and have a winning program. No one in the modern era of NASCAR has won more than Jimmie. Having a driver, the caliber of Jimmie, driving our equipment and being able to provide feedback to our crew chiefs and engineers but most importantly, mentoring Erik and Noah will be invaluable.”
He added, “Perhaps most important of all, Jimmie will be a great partner. I know I speak for all the Petty GMS team members, including Richard Petty, in welcoming Jimmie to the team. No one else will be able to say they have two seven-time Cup champions on their team. We are looking to make a strong statement next year and show that we are here to contend for wins and championships. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”
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Petty GMS chairman Richard Petty also commented at the time, “What an exciting time for Petty GMS. This year we’ve accomplished so much together with Maury and now adding Jimmie will only continue to help us grow.
“To have Jimmie – another seven-time champion – as a part of the team, and his abilities both on track and off will be special for Petty GMS. I’m looking forward to having him as a part of our team and seeing what we can build together,” said the King.
Johnson shared his thoughts as well, “It’s great to be back in NASCAR. When the INDYCAR season ended I started on this journey of what was next. Maury and I connected, this opportunity came to light and it’s the perfect fit for me. Team ownership makes so much sense at this stage of my career and after spending time with Maury and his family, talking with Mike (Beam), Dave (Elenz, crew chief of the No. 43) and Joey (Cohen, Director of Competition and Engineering), I realized this was something I wanted to be involved with from both the business perspective and on the competition side.”
He added, ” If I’m going to commit to something like this, I want to make a difference and have something tangible to show for it when it’s all said and done. So, this opportunity with Petty GMS is all of that and much more.”
At the time of the announcement, Petty GMS did not reveal what Johnson’s number would be only stating, “The remainder of Johnson’s racing schedule, partnerships, paint scheme and car number will be revealed at a future date.”
While making a press appearance during the NASCAR Awards Banquet Day in Nashville, Tennessee, Bowman addressed speculation that Johnson might be driving the No. 48 next year.
He stated, “No, certainly not. He’s gonna have to pry it away, I think, if he wants it back.”
Bowman then shared his thoughts on Johnson returning, “I think it’s so cool that Jimmie’s coming back. I’m excited for him and the opportunities that he he has, obviously, with ownership and everything as well as driving. Wish I could have stolen him for my Spring car team, but it’s really cool to see him coming back.”
He would elaborate about the number in a follow-up question about how important the No. 48 is.
Bowman stated, “I mean I’ll drive whatever Mr. H gonna tell me to drive. But I feel like Ally has a lot in the 48. And I’ve seen speculation on Twitter and that’s super unfounded from everybody. There’s not a change coming by any means.”
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When asked by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass about the change, Bowman turned the question on Pockrass and asked him what he thought.
Pockrass stated, “My take is that Rick Hendrick has the final say and I think Rick Hendrick’s going to keep the 48 because it’s been a pretty good number for him.”
Bowman concurred with this assessment saying, “I would agree with that. I don’t see any number change coming. I will drive whatever Mr. H tells me to drive. I think you guys know that, but at the same time I am 100% sure it’s going to be the 48 car this year. There’s way too much stuff that they would have to change already that has not been changed. So it’s not happening.”
Alex Bowman says the 48 number will stay with him in 2023. There has been a great deal of chatter on whether Hendrick should allow Petty GMS to use it for Jimmie Johnson’s races in 2023. pic.twitter.com/LYC4gpIaTa
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 1, 2022
Bowman went on to provide details on what’s happening in the background that would have to be changed if Johnson did indeed get the No. 48, “There’s so much that goes on this time of year. I don’t think a lot of casual NASCAR fans realize how much we’re doing this time of year, and how many production days we’ve already had, and fire suits already being made, and all this stuff is already happening.”
He added, “We are filming commercials with 48 on the side of the car. If they were going to change it, they probably had to change it six months ago. I think we are in a good spot.”
What do you make of Bowman’s response? Do you want Johnson to drive the No. 48 again?
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