Alex Bowman shares his guilty pleasure spends and the one thing he’ll pay extra for
Alex Bowman, driver of the Ally No. 48 NASCAR for Hendrick Motorsports, joined us for a new episode of "Money Clips with Ally" where we chat all things money with interesting people. Bowman knows his way around a track. He has been racing for most of his life – from go-karts to dirt racing, sprint cars to stockcars. In 2017, Bowman officially joined the Hendrick Motorsports team and in 2020 made the move from the No. 88 into Ally’s No. 48 following Jimmie Johnson’s retirement. Since then, Bowman has brought home five wins and numerous top-five finishes . The Arizona native now calls North Carolina home, and when he’s not speeding around the track, he’s busy running his own business, Alex Bowman Racing, where he builds and races almost anything. Read more about Bowman away from the track, including what he would do if he found $50 on the sidewalk, what he did with his first professional paycheck and much more.
What was your first job?
My first job was working in my dad's body shop in Arizona. Whether it was pulling weeds or prep work, it was what nobody else wanted to do.
What money advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to save more and not spend absolutely everything you have on car parts all the time. I can never leave anything alone, so it came down to calculating how much money I needed to eat until my next paycheck and then I’d spend the rest on car parts.
What’s the first thing you remember saving for?
First thing I remember saving for was a skateboard. I always wanted new skateboard.
What’s the next thing you’re saving for?
I actually just purchased the new Z06 Corvette. So that was a big one that I definitely saved for.
What did you do with your first professional paycheck?
My first paycheck from Hendrick Motorsports may have been more than all of my previous paychecks in my life combined. So that went to paying off all my credit cards, getting out of debt - and then I bought a house later that year.
What was your first car?
My first car was a 2006 Chevy Cobalt. I don't miss it one bit. I put a lot of miles on it, but it's long gone, thankfully.
If you found $50 on the sidewalk, what would you do with it?
If I find $50 on the sidewalk, I'm buying $50 in tacos.
What’s something you would pay extra for?
I will gladly pay extra for faster shipping. You buy something and you wait two weeks for it? That’s terrible. If I can get it overnight for like $30, I’m going to do that every time.
Bowman has always had an affection for all things car related
How were you taught about money growing up?
I never had much when I was younger, so it wasn’t like there was much to spend. I think my parents just really tried hard to instill the value of a dollar and not give me an opportunity to blow money on dumb things. When I started racing, if I got a check from it, it never went to me. It always went to getting the car ready for the next race.
What is something in your wallet that’s not money?
My keycard to get into Hendrick Motorsports!
What’s your guilty pleasure spend?
Certainly cars and food. I have way too many cars. It’s a really bad one for me, too, because they're not cheap! At least the food one isn’t so bad – but yeah, the cars, the cars one is pretty bad.
What’s your advice for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
My career had so many ups and downs, the biggest thing for me was just to stick with it and never give up and keep trying. So, never give up!
Bowman doesn’t need four wheels to have fun, dirt bikes have been another favorite since he was young
The views, information or opinions expressed are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of Ally.
