The NASCAR silly season was going to be a wild one. Several top rides were available for the taking with seats at Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing all available.

Back in March, Ryan Blaney and Penske agreed to a multi year extension. Now, another ride is off the table.

Alex Bowman confirmed on Saturday morning that he and HMS have agreed to a one year extension to keep him in his seat for the 2021 Cup Series season.

Bowman, 27, first joined HMS in 2018 as the replacement driver for the departing Dale Earnhardt Jr in the No. 88 Chevrolet. In his first start, he won the Daytona 500 pole. Unfortunately, that was the highlight of the season which saw him get bounced in the first round of the playoffs and only score three top five finishes, 11 top 10s and lead just 71 laps.

2019 was a better year. He improved to seven top five finishes and 12 top 10s but also led 200 laps, the best being the final one on June 30 in the rain delayed race at the Chicagoland Speedway en route to his first career NASCAR triumph. He’d even make noise in the playoffs, making it to the second round and finishing 12th in the final standings.

2020 though was his final year on his contract. Both he and HMS wanted to remain together for the future, but Nationwide wasn’t going to be a sponsor anymore and the car needed extensive funding. Despite that, Hendrick stuck to his word to allow Bowman to race a full season despite funding troubles. Bowman, paid him back in coming out to his best career start to a season.

The Arizona native won the third race of the year in Fontana in leading 110 of 200 laps. That has now earned him a contract extension.