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BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Alex Bowman should have plenty of fans this weekend at Michigan International Speedway in his return to NASCAR Sprint Cup racing.Not only will he be filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr., but his No. 88 Chevrolet will be adorned with a special University of Michigan paint scheme. Maybe thatll be enough to turn Bowman into a college football diehard.My whole life Ive raced so much that I havent really been able to be a big fan of anything, he said. This year has been a big change in that. With football starting up here next week, Im going to start off as a University of Michigan fan and go from there.The 23-year-old Bowman has never finished in the top 10 in 72 starts at the Cup level, so this chance to race for Hendrick Motorsports in Earnhardts place gives him a rare opportunity to compete under the spotlight. Earnhardt has not been cleared by doctors to return to racing as he recovers from a concussion.Bowman drove for Earnhardt at New Hampshire last month, but Jeff Gordon has filled in for him the past four races. Earnhardt will miss at least two more races, with Bowman taking his place this weekend and Gordon driving for him at Darlington.Being as close of friends as I am with Dale, I have just been hoping he gets to feeling better more than anything, Bowman said. Obviously, Im more than happy to fill in whenever I can. New Hampshire was a lot of fun.Bowman, from Tucson, Arizona, made 71 Cup starts over the 2014 and 2015 seasons with BK Racing and Tommy Baldwin Racing. His best finish came at Daytona in 2014, when he was 13th.He looked as if he might have a chance to top that at New Hampshire, but his car went into the wall because of a tire issue, and he finished 26th. Thats been his only Cup race of the year.Obviously, we ran a lot better than we finished, he said. I hated that the race team didnt get the finish they deserved. Everybody at Hendrick Motorsports and Chevy and everybody, they have been so welcoming and easy to work with.Bowman qualified sixth Friday for this weekends race. He has never started higher than 14th at the Cup level.This week, NASCAR is using its lower-downforce rules package from races earlier this season at Michigan and Kentucky. Thats not a huge deal for Bowman -- if only because hes hardly raced on the Cup circuit this year under any set of circumstances.As far as the downforce package goes -- only running one other Cup race this year, I wouldnt necessarily say Im used to it the other way, said Bowman, who has made five starts this year on the Xfinity circuit.The University of Michigan unveiled a partnership with Axalta Coating Systems in March. Axalta is a sponsor of Earnhardts, and the plan was for him to race with the Michigan paint scheme for this weekends race.But with Earnhardt still sidelined, its Bowman who will be in the No. 88. Bowman said he talked to Earnhardt on Friday.Him and I went back and forth this morning on the rules package and what to expect and just what he thought the race car was going to do and whatnot, Bowman said. As far as going forward, we havent discussed that at all. Obviously, Im happy to fill in when needed. Jeff is going to be in the car in Darlington. Hopefully, well just have to see Dales timeline, but Im definitely happy to get in the car whenever needed.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtristerRodions Kurucs Nets Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Theo Pinson Nets Jersey . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. https://www.netsrookiesshop.com/Henry-Ellenson-City-Edition-Jersey/ . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Brooklyn Nets Jerseys . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Custom Brooklyn Nets Jerseys . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days.Former West Ham United stars Jack Collison and Dean Ashton will be joining Ben and Kammy on Goals on Sunday.The main focus will be looking ahead to Sundays FA Cup fifth-round clashes, including West Hams trip to Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspurs meeting with Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane and Manchester Citys visit to Chelsea.The trio will also discuss Manchester Uniteds testing tie at League One Shrewsbury Town on Monday night, while there will be a review of all Saturdays cup action as well in a bumper edition.dddddddddddd. A knee problem forced Collison to retire two years ago when at Peterborough United, while Ashton hung up his boots in 2009 while at West Ham after failing to recover from a long-term ankle injury.Watch Goals on Sunday from 11am on Sky Sports 1 HDAlso See:Premier League videoFixturesTableLive on Sky ' ' '