Alex Bowman and Spire Motorsports are set to reunite for a pair of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events in 2023, the organization officially announced on Monday.
Bowman, a seven-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, will make his first start of the season in the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in Saturday's XPEL 225 at Circuit of The Americas.
The 29-year-old driver will then return for the highly-anticipated event at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 20, joining William Byron and Christopher Bell as the NASCAR Cup Series drivers confirmed to compete in the event.
HendrickCars.com will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in both events. Bowman's primary sponsor in the Cup Series, Ally Financial, will have placement on the lower quarter-panel.
“We see our racing partnerships as a terrific opportunity to continue building HendrickCars.com into a national brand,” said Greg Gach, president of Charlotte-based Hendrick Automotive Group. “With Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman behind the wheel, we’re excited to join forces with Spire Motorsports and Chevrolet for this opportunity. Both have track records of success in the Truck Series and we look forward to seeing the team compete.”
Saturday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Circuit of The Americas will mark Bowman's fifth career start, and his third for Spire Motorsports. Last year, the Arizona-born driver was in contention to win on the 3.41-mile road course, before contact in NASCAR Overtime relegated him to a finish of 24th.
“I am excited to get the opportunity to drive the No. 7 truck for Spire Motorsports,” said Bowman. “Last year we were really fast in the truck race at COTA and I am hoping we can be fast again this year. It would be really cool to get a truck win and have won a race in all three of NASCAR’s top series. I feel like racing there in the truck will help me get ready for Sunday as well.”
Bowman's return to the organization for a two-race deal in 2023, marks the continuation of a relationship between Spire and Hendrick Motorsports, which spans across all three of NASCAR's National Series.
Last season, Bowman, along with Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott and William Byron each took turns behind the wheel of the No. 7, among other drivers.
“We’re thrilled to have Alex back in the seat of the No. 7 truck for a couple races this season,” said crew chief Kevin Manion. “He was a tremendous asset in 2022 and will be again in 2023. Alex is a savvy road racer and as good of a short-track racer as they come. We have no doubt that Alex gives Spire Motorsports a strong opportunity to win races every time he’s behind the wheel.”
Bowman joins Corey LaJoie as the two announced drivers for Spire Motorsports NASCAR Truck Series entry. LaJoie competed in the season-opener at Daytona, and will return for Darlington.
