Despite the assurances from Hendrick Motorsports and a contract that runs through next season, Bowman still had doubters. Then he finished fifth in the playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway, moved into the top 10 in points, and received a public endorsement from boss Rick Hendrick.

"We did what we needed the whole first round of the playoffs, but also we want to be better and continue that through the next round," said Bowman, who doesn't think the speculation about his future will stop.