NASCAR Cup Series

Nationwide and Alex Bowman sign extensions with Hendrick

Published Aug. 2, 2018 4:32 p.m. ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Nationwide signed a two-year extension with Hendrick Motorsports that will increase its sponsorship of Alex Bowman to 20 races beginning next season. Bowman also received a one-year extension from Hendrick that locks him with Nationwide through 2020.

Nationwide became a corporate partner of Hendrick Motorsports in 2014 and majority sponsor of the No. 88 Chevrolet with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. from 2015 through 2017. Bowman replaced Earnhardt this season and Nationwide is sponsoring 19 races with the new driver of the No. 88. Bowman earned the pole for the Daytona 500 and has eight top-10 finishes through 21 Cup races.

Bowman is coming off a career-best third-place finish Sunday at Pocono Raceway. He's 15th in the standings and currently in contention for one of the 16 spots in NASCAR's playoffs.

Hendrick Motorsports is still seeking a sponsor for seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. Hendrick recently indicated he has three strong options for Johnson's funding.