Hendrick tabs Bowman as Junior's replacement in No. 88 car

Alex Bowman, 24, picked by Hendrick Motorsports

LOUDON, NH - Alex Bowman, driver of the #88 Nationwide Insurance Chevrolet, looks on during testing for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on May 30, 2017 in New Hampshire. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Hendrick Motorsports has picked 24-year-old Alex Bowman to be Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s replacement next season.

Bowman has big shoes to fill.

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Earnhardt was named NASCAR's most popular driver each of the last 14 seasons, and his seat in the No. 88 car is one of the most coveted in the Cup series.

Bowman has one big fan already on his side: Junior. After announcing his retirement earlier this year, the 42-year-old Earnhardt tabbed Bowman as his logical successor in May.

Bowman already has some experience in replacing Earnhardt. He drove 10 races for team owner Rick Hendrick last year when Earnhardt missed time because of a concussion. Bowman won his first career pole and posted three top-10 finishes in the No. 88.


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