Alex Bowman won the first race of NASCAR’s doubleheader weekend at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, describing it as “the oddest triumph [he’s] ever been a part of.”
Bowman was ready to settle for second place on the final lap of the Pocono Organics CBD 325, trailing his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson, who was chasing his fourth consecutive victory. With five of the 130 total laps remaining at the “Tricky Triangle,” Larson passed Bowman for the lead.
Larson’s left front tire went flat on the final lap, driving him into the wall and allowing Bowman to reclaim the lead in Turn 3 and win. Bowman claimed he was resigned and was apologizing to his team over the radio.
“I hate to win one that way, but hell yeah, I’ll take it,” 28-year-old Bowman said immediately after the race during his on-track interview.
During his post-race press conference, the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driver voiced his regret at not being able to properly celebrate his third victory of the season.
Bowman had to protect his winning car and rest up ahead of a second Pocono race on Sunday, the Explore the Pocono Mountains 350 (3:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN), which means a much more muted celebration than on an usual race weekend.
Bowman sounded so unhappy about it, with his deadpan tone.
He said:
“I don’t really know what to think. This is the strangest win I’ve ever been a part of. I thought I was running second, which was still going to be a good day for us with kind of how we struggled throughout the course of the day. But then he blows a tire. We win.
“Can’t do a burnout because I’ve gotta race the car tomorrow. I typically stand on the roof of the car; can’t do that because I’ve gotta race the car tomorrow. I typically drink all the beers; can’t do that because I’ve gotta race the car tomorrow.
“I have to be WAY more responsible than I really wanna be right now, so it’s definitely been a unique win. I’ve never been in a situation like that.”
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He added:
“Here I’m apologizing to my guys, we come out with a win. Yeah, I don’t know. It’s pretty interesting to be on the other side of it. I’ll take it. I’ve had my fair share of bad luck over the course of my career. Hence the whole ‘Bad Luck Bowman’ thing.”
Maybe that’s all behind me and it was just in preparation for this great luck that we have right now. Yeah, I’ll take it.
Looks like Bowman will have to quietly celebrate his fifth career win with some Uncrustables instead. Or, at least until he gets through Sunday’s race.
Bowman has also won races at Dover International Speedway and Richmond Raceway this season.
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