Alex Bowman to run two Xfinity races for Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi Racing on Friday announced that through its technical partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, Bowman will drive its No. 42 Chevrolet in the upcoming Xfinity races at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.

HendrickCars.com will serve as the car’s primary sponsor in Charlotte. A primary sponsor for the Phoenix race will be announced at a later date.

“I’m really excited to get back in a race-winning car with a team like CGR,” Bowman said. “A huge thanks to Chip and Mr. Hendrick for putting this together for me to get some valuable seat time heading into 2018.

“My goal is to win two races and help the No. 42 team win the NXS owners’ championship.”

Bowman joins Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick and Justin Marks as drivers of the No. 42 Chevy this season. The No. 42 team leads the owners’ standings following Reddick’s win at Kentucky Speedway.

“He’s a great young talent, who can help us with our goal of winning an NXS owners’ championship,” Ganassi said of Bowman, 24. “Initially, those two races were earmarked for Larson but we wanted him to focus on the Cup playoffs so we appreciate Rick and his team for allowing us to put Alex in our car.

“Hendrick Motorsports has been a tremendous partner of CGR for many years.”

Bowman made his debut in the Xfinity Series in 2012, and finished runner-up to Larson in the 2013 rookie of the year standings. In 50 series starts, he has five top-five and 13 top-10 finishes and won three poles.

Bowman will take over the No. 88 Chevrolet in the Cup series next season, replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“This is a terrific opportunity for Alex to get back into a competitive environment and work with a championship-caliber team,” HMS owner Rick Hendrick said. “I think he’ll pick up right where he left off.

“It’s also a valuable platform for us to promote HendrickCars.com in our home market (in Charlotte). Chip is a great friend, and we’re looking forward to working with his team on and off the track.”