Bowman wins as tension builds ahead of NASCAR title race
Alex Bowman (48) leads the field during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Alex Bowman (48) leads the field during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Oct. 31, 2021 07:01 PM EDT
Alex Bowman (48) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Alex Bowman (48) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Oct. 31, 2021 06:45 PM EDT
Denny Hamlin (11) prevents Alex Bowman (48) from doing a celebratory burnout after a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Denny Hamlin (11) prevents Alex Bowman (48) from doing a celebratory burnout after a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Oct. 31, 2021 06:45 PM EDT
Alex Bowman, left, is congratulated by Jeff Gordon after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Alex Bowman, left, is congratulated by Jeff Gordon after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Oct. 31, 2021 06:45 PM EDT
Alex Bowman (48) leads Martin Truex Jr. (19) during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Alex Bowman (48) leads Martin Truex Jr. (19) during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Oct. 31, 2021 04:37 PM EDT
Denny Hamlin (11) leads others during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Denny Hamlin (11) leads others during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Oct. 31, 2021 04:30 PM EDT
Chase Elliott (9) leads Martin Truex Jr. (19) and the rest of the field during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Chase Elliott (9) leads Martin Truex Jr. (19) and the rest of the field during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Oct. 31, 2021 04:28 PM EDT
Alex Bowman (48) crosses the finish line ahead of Kyle Busch to win a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Alex Bowman (48) crosses the finish line ahead of Kyle Busch to win a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Oct. 31, 2021 06:46 PM EDT
Alex Bowman waves to fans after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Alex Bowman waves to fans after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Oct. 31, 2021 06:44 PM EDT
Alex Bowman, right, is congratulated by Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway, after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Alex Bowman, right, is congratulated by Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway, after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Martinsville, Va. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Oct. 31, 2021 06:44 PM EDT