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Phoenix Raceway, AZ – Anthony Alfredo will pilot the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet this weekend at Phoenix Raceway, stepping in for Alex Bowman who has been sidelined due to vertigo. While the opportunity to compete in one of NASCAR’s premier rides is significant, Alfredo has firmly stated his primary objective is to support the No. 48 team and execute their strategy, rather than focusing on personal advancement.
Bowman was forced to withdraw from last week’s race at Circuit of the Americas due to his diagnosed condition, leading to Alfredo receiving the call. Alfredo, already a vital part of Chevrolet’s simulator program and a full-time competitor in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for Viking Motorsports, finds himself in an unexpected but high-profile role.
"I try not to [focus on personal gain] because I don’t think it works out for people when they put that kind of pressure on themselves," Alfredo stated during a press conference on Friday at Phoenix. "This isn’t an audition. It’s about filling in and doing a good job for this team."
Alfredo’s approach is centered on delivering a solid performance for the Hendrick Motorsports outfit. He views the situation as a duty to the team that has entrusted him with their car. "I’m focused on executing well for them and if something of it comes down the road, that’s awesome, but most importantly, I have a job to do and I’m focused on them," he added. "This is a cool opportunity, and not a lot of people get it, so I do want to make the most of it but this is just about executing for them this weekend."
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When questioned about the potential for this substitute role to open doors for a future opportunity with Hendrick Motorsports, Alfredo reiterated his commitment to the immediate task at hand and his current commitments. "I have no expectations of anything like that," Alfredo confirmed. "This is a one-race opportunity and I’m focused on this one race. We’ll see where it leads but I have a full-time opportunity in the O’Reilly Series that I’m focused on this afternoon and tomorrow so I’m just going one race at a time."
The circumstances surrounding Alfredo’s opportunity are undeniably bittersweet. He expressed empathy for Bowman’s situation, acknowledging the personal challenge it presents for the regular No. 48 driver. "It’s hard for me to be excited because it’s hard for me to imagine what he is feeling," Alfredo said. "A lot of people are asking me how excited I am and I’m not excited to have to fill in for someone who isn’t in their own car this week."
Despite the somber context, Alfredo recognizes the inherent value of the chance to compete in a Hendrick Motorsports entry. "But it is a huge opportunity for me to do a good job and turn some heads but I don’t feel like I have to prove anything to anybody," he asserted. "I don’t think they would have picked me if they didn’t think I could do it." His focus remains on fulfilling the team’s expectations. "It’s not about that. It’s about doing what is asked of me and doing a good job of filling in."
Alfredo’s involvement with Hendrick Motorsports extends beyond this weekend. His role as a Chevrolet simulator driver has provided him with intimate knowledge of the team’s operations and development processes. "It’s exciting for me because my career has been challenging but working for them on the sim side has been a privilege and I take a lot of pride in what I do for them," he explained. "It’s a lot of sitting in a dark room without windows and I do it because I want to see them get better and you always hope it could lead to something, but not like this." He also acknowledged the aspirational nature of working with such a storied organization. "I’m going to try to soak it in, even though it’s been a little chaotic, but I feel like everyone does dream of working with Hendrick Motorsports and all the men and women who make it possible."
Alfredo’s NASCAR Cup Series experience includes a full-time season with Front Row Motorsports in 2021, competing with the previous generation of Cup car. He has since made seven starts in the NextGen car, primarily on superspeedways, with Live Fast Motorsports and Beard Motorsports. His physical dimensions are comparable to Bowman’s, and he will be utilizing one of Bowman’s firesuits for the race.
The transition from simulator to the track, while aided by the advanced realism of modern simulation technology, still presents unique challenges. Alfredo noted, "the simulator is ‘extremely realistic’ but he also concedes there are ‘tools you use in the car’ that aren’t in the simulator. These are switches and fans."
However, Alfredo feels well-prepared to adapt. "All the laps I’ve run actually make me confident of where I need to be behind the wheel but racing is totally different," he explained. "The ambient temperature changing and rubber being laid down, those things are different, but those are comparable to all the races I’ve run here in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, so I have a pretty good basis of what to expect as far as that goes."
His preparation has been ongoing, stemming from his simulator role which requires constant readiness. "I didn’t have to mentally prepare because my job at Hendrick and Chevrolet is to always be prepared," Alfredo stated. The past week has involved diligently completing the assignments provided by the No. 48 team. While he anticipates potential pre-race nerves on Sunday, he attributes this more to the thorough preparation provided by Hendrick Motorsports than any personal apprehension.
"It’s going to be interesting to see how the sim correlates because now I am excited to get back to the sim on Monday and make it better for next time," Alfredo remarked. He understands the competitive landscape of the NASCAR Cup Series, particularly with the playoff format. "It’s not the championship race anymore but with the Chase format, you can’t throw any race away, and the 48 team has had a challenging start to the year." His immediate goal is to contribute positively to the team’s efforts. "So I just want to help them out and build a notebook."
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