How's this for a good start: Alex Bowman looked at home in Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car in Friday's Sprint Cup practice at New Hampshire.
How good? Bowman turned out the 13th-best lap time. Not too shabby for now having had more than a seat fitting.
In fact, only Chase Elliott had a better lap time among Hendrick Motorsports drivers. Bowman's 132.172 mph was comparable to Elliott's 132.591. Jimmie Johnson was a hair slower at 132.135. Johnson was 15th, with Kasey Kahne 17th at 131.943.
Earnhardt is out this week after a recurrence of concussion-like symptoms. It's not certain when he might return to racing.