Hendrick tabs Bowman as Earnhardt replacement in No. 88 car

Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday that the 24-year-old Bowman will replace one of the series' biggest stars in the No. 88 car next season after Earnhardt retires.

Earnhardt was named NASCAR's most popular driver each of the last 14 seasons and fans of his late father often tracked Junior's results following Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash in the 2001 season opener at Daytona.

When the 42-year-old Earnhardt missed 18 races because of a concussion last season, Bowman started 10 of them in the No. 88, winning the first Cup pole of his career and finishing in the top 10 three times.

Bowman said he turned down each offer as he continued searching for the right situation.

In 81 career Cup starts and 50 career starts in the Xfinity Series, Bowman has never won a race.

With television ratings and attendance sagging and three major stars — Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Earnhardt — retiring since 2015, Bowman will become yet another prominent fresh face in a series that currently has five drivers who are in their 20s in the top 15.