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Even though his dreams of a career-first top-ten finish in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ended in a wreck against the frontstretch wall, Alex Bowman couldn’t conceal his elation.

Alex Bowman, 23, was subbing for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was sidelined for Sunday’s New Hampshire 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after experiencing concussion-like symptoms earlier in the week.

And though Bowman had 71 Cup starts to his credit before Sunday’s race, none of them came in equipment remotely comparable to the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet he drove in Earnhardt’s stead. Continue reading →