Hendrick Motorsports, Alex Bowman reveal Detroit Pistons scheme for Michigan

This week Alex Bowman has a very special sponsor on his No. 48 Chevy Camaro. The Detroit Pistons join Ally this week on the Hendrick car. NASCAR and the NBA are coming together for a great paint scheme that Michiganders will enjoy a ton.

While Alex Bowman hasn’t had the greatest season since returning from injury, he has a great-looking ride this weekend. That has to count for something. It isn’t a far cry from his usual look but with a lot more pizzazz.

With red and blue stripes down the sides and two racing stripes down the middle, the car also features the Pistons logo as well as the Detroit skyline. It isn’t just a plain white background, lots of intricate designs on this car.

Possibly the best Bowman look of the season so far.

Check out this baller paint scheme for this weekend's crossover with @allyracing and @DetroitPistons at @MISpeedway.

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) July 31, 2023

Michigan is going to be a very important weekend for Alex Bowman and his team. A win would get him into the playoffs. Right now, pointing his way in would be an uphill climb, and likely won’t happen.

Perhaps with the Pistons on board, Bowman will have a little extra pep in his step. The playoffs are on the line.

Alex Bowman needs a win for the postseason

As it stands, Bowman is 21st overall in the standings with 428 points. That has him in a situation where he is almost surely going to have to win if he wants to make the NASCAR Playoffs. He is just two points behind Chase Elliott in the standings, but with four races left to get there, points are about out of the question.

The Cook Out 400 at Richmond was not a great race for any Hendrick Motorsports driver. Bowman was P18 when it was all said and done. Every time you looked up, the 48 was mired in traffic and if not losing speed, not being able to pass whatsoever.

The fact that Bowman pulled out a top-20 result after watching most of Sunday’s race is impressive. He only picked up 19 points though, and while it helped as AJ Allmendinger and Daniel Suárez struggled even more than Bowman, it won’t be enough.

Right now it feels like Alex Bowman or Chase Elliott will make the playoffs, but only one of them. There likely isn’t room enough for both. Michigan, Indy Road Course, Watkins Glen, and Daytona are all that stands between these drivers and the NASCAR Playoffs.