(MOORESVILLE, N.C. - February 20, 2012) - To say that Alex Bowman’s first experience at Daytona International Speedway was disappointing would be putting it mildly. Bowman came into the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 attempting to go three for three in his ARCA Racing Series starts. After winning his two outings in 2011, Bowman and his Cunningham Motorsports team were hoping to get Alex in the record books again with his third win.
Practice on Thursday was a struggle for the Paul Andrews-led crew, as the team concentrated on single car runs, since the #22 Dodge needed to qualify on time. As the practice session ended Bowman showed 20th on the speed charts, which was not truly indicative of how the car compared to other single car runs. Most of the times faster than Bowman’s were drafting speeds.
On Friday, Alex and the Cunningham Motorsports organization received a plaque from the Navy League of the United States for their support of the families and crews of two adopted ships based at Naval Station Mayport, Mayport, Florida. This presentation was made by seven members of the Navy League, who were guests of Cunningham Motorsports, touring the garage, the hauler and rooting Alex on during the race from their suite.
Bowman and the #22 crew used the 45 minute practice on Saturday, before the race, solely as a drafting session. Their focus was getting Alex comfortable drafting with the Dodge. After 14 laps of practice, Andrews called Bowman in and they determined that they had accomplished their goals for the morning. An optimistic Bowman said, “We will be fine. This car will draft good in the race. Thanks to Paul and the team for all of their efforts at the shop and during practice yesterday.”
The eBay Motors/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dodge started the race in 14th. The race remained under green flag conditions for only 7 laps, when a spin brought out the first caution. During this caution, many of the leaders came to pit road, moving Bowman to 7th. After just one lap under green, caution returned to the speedway. Bowman brought the Dodge into the pits for a fuel only stop, relegating Alex to 17th. On the restart, as Bowman was going up through the gears, cars in front of him checked up causing him to drop back to 30th to avoid the other cars. In this position, Bowman lost the draft. But, one lap at a time, with determination, Bowman made those positions back. With a 45 lap green flag run, this was tough for Bowman. By lap 40 he was in 20th and 13th on lap 60. A multi-car spin on lap 68 brought the caution out. With many of the leaders in fuel conservation mode, some came into the pits for a splash of fuel, while others conserved by running on the apron. On the restart on lap 75, Bowman lined up in position 12, where he picked off one car at the flag stand. As a car spun with no caution flag, Bowman picked up two more spots to 9th. With another car spinning, ARCA officials threw the yellow. As the race completed its scheduled 80 laps as the yellow flew, the restart would become a green, white, checkered finish. Bowman’s plan was to hook up with 9-time ARCA champ, Frank Kimmel on the restart. As the cars in front of Alex started through the gears, Bowman’s Dodge couldn’t pick up any fuel remaining in the fuel cell, relegating him to the 30th finishing spot.
After the race, a disappointed Bowman said, “I am really disappointed. We had a car that could draft well. We had move up into contention. We didn’t think that we had used that much fuel trying to get our positions back. We will go on to Mobile and make up for this.”
Next up for the team is the Mobile ARCA 200 at Mobile International Speedway on Saturday, March 10.
Follow Cunningham Motorsports at www.cunninghammotorsports.org and @cunningham_race on twitter.
Follow Alex Bowman on twitter @AlexBRacing.