Photos: Tucson's Alex Bowman, from racing prodigy to multiple-time NASCAR Cup Series winner
PHOTOS: Alex Bowman, now 31, began his racing career at a young age in Tucson. Today, he's a stalwart on NASCAR's top circuit. His Cup Series win last week in Chicago was the eighth of his career and all but secured his spot in this year's Cup playoff.
Tucson’s Alex Bowman, then 12, sits in his quarter-midget vehicle with numerous trophies behind him back in September 2005. His goal at the time: become the first American to win a Formula One championship. He hasn’t done that yet, but, now 31, he has become a contender on NASCAR’s Cup series circuit, earning his eighth career Cup win in July 2024 in Chicago.
Tucson native and NASCAR driver Alex Bowman signs autographs for a few fans during an event at Precision Toyota, 700 W. Wetmore on February 27, 2013. Bowman, pictured at 20 years old but now 31, is an eight-time winner on NASCAR’s Cup Series circuit.
Alex Bowman #48 poses for a photo with his teammates after winning the Grant Park 165 of the NASCAR Street Race on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Alex Bowman #48 stands on his car after winning the Grant Park 165 of the NASCAR Street Race on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Alex Bowman hold the award flag in Victory Lane after winning the pole position during qualifying for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Driver Alex Bowman, right, signs autographs for fans prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Alex Bowman does a burnout in the Burnouts on Broadway competition Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, during NASCAR Champion's Week in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Alex Bowman poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
FILE - In this July 5, 2014, file photo, Alex Bowman, right, watches as Dale Earnhardt Jr. sends out a tweet while waiting under a tunnel for driver introductions to begin before a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at the Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Dale Earnhardt Jr. got the replacement he wanted. Alex Bowman got his dream job. Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday, July 20, 2017, that the 24-year-old Bowman will replace one of the series' biggest stars in the No. 88 car next season after Earnhardt retires.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Hendrick drivers, from left, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Alex Bowman and Jimmie Johnson smile with team owner Rick Hendrick, right, as they unveil the team's cars for the NASCAR Cup Series' 2018 season, during an event in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Alex Bowman takes the checkered flag to win a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Drivers Landon Cassill, left, and Alex Bowman talk in their garage during a practice session for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Alex Bowman, right, watches as Dale Earnhardt Jr. sends out a tweet, while waiting under a tunnel for driver introductions to begin, before a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 5, 2014.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Alex Bowman during NASCAR auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Back in victory lane, Tucson native Alex Bowman powered by positivity in NASCAR Cup playoff pursuitAfter an 80-race NASCAR Cup Series winless streak that coincided with concussions, back surgery and other tribulations, Tucson native and Ironwood Ridge High School alum Alex Bowman jumped back on top of the sport last weekend after his first win in more than two years.