Despite a heavy heart, Bowman delivers season-best result for Hendrick Motorsports

Alex Bowman understandably did not want to be at World Wide Technology Raceway this weekend, but he still delivered a season-best result for his Hendrick Motorsports team.

Bowman revealed Saturday that his dog Finn had passed away the day before. Finn, a black lab, had been Bowman's companion for 10 and a half years and even appeared on his race car at times to promote pet insurance when Bowman was sponsored by Nationwide. But in May, a social media post by Bowman shared that Finn had come down with cancer that had spread rapidly and left him with limited time.

Sunday, Bowman finished second at St. Louis and had Finn on his mind.

“Yeah, super happy for Kyle [Larson], and it’s a really hard weekend just to get on the plane and be here,” a visibly upset Bowman said. “I had a little extra help today. I’m ready to go home but proud of everybody on this Ally [No.] 48 team for helping me through the weekend, and yeah, life is hard sometimes.

“I lost my best friend, so I’m just ready to go home.”

It was a quiet, solid afternoon for Bowman and his group. On a day marred by cautions and carnage, Bowman steadily worked his way forward, avoided issues, and brought home 38 points. It is the most points he’s earned in a single Cup Series race this season.

Bowman started 19th. The final stage was when he shone brightest, contending for the lead at multiple points and then looking for the win. He was a fixture in the top five over the final 20 laps.

On the first overtime attempt, Bowman grabbed second behind teammate and eventual winner Kyle Larson. Bowman chose to line up to the inside of Larson for the second overtime attempt, which is where he slotted in and finished. Larson, in his winner’s interview on the frontstretch, dedicated the win to Bowman and Finn.

“Yeah, I suck here, so clearly, I had some help [from Finn],” said Bowman. “You just never want to see your best friend suffer, and unfortunately the end was pretty bad. That was really difficult. But man, I’m just proud of this Ally [No.] 48 team and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports, and really proud of Kyle for winning. I know it’s been a while for him, and it’s great for this team and the Chase and everything.

“Yeah, it was a good day for us.”

It was the first top-five finish for Bowman since Chicagoland Speedway in July. It was his first top-three finish since Texas Motor Speedway back in early May.