NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman is out for this weekend’s race at Phoenix Raceway following a vertigo diagnosis. Hendrick Motorsports has tabbed Anthony Alfredo to drive the No. 48 in his place.
Hendrick Motorsports says that the sensations caused by vertigo were the mysterious illness that resulted in Bowman stepping out of the No. 48 car during the later portions of this past Sunday’s race at Circuit of the Americas.
That substitution led to a viral moment where NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series veteran and TV pit spotter Myatt Snyder took over for Bowman mid-race.
Unfortunately, Bowman will not be back behind the wheel this weekend, as Bowman is not medically cleared to race.
In his place, veteran Anthony Alfredo, who races full-time in the NASCAR OAP Series for Viking Motorsports, will drive the No. 48.
Alfredo, HMS’ reserve driver, has not made a Cup start since Talladega last fall, but qualified for the Daytona 500 earlier this season before missing out due to a post-duel disqualification.
The press release from the team did not give a solid timeline for Bowman’s return, saying the Arizona native had driven a street car this week at the private Ten Tenths Motor Club road course in Concord, North Carolina.
In a statement from Hendrick Motorsports, team President Jeff Andrews said:
“We’re encouraged by the progress he’s making, but we have to prioritize his health above all else. It’s obviously frustrating for him because he’s a competitor and wants to be in the race car, especially at his home track. We’ll continue to support Alex and look forward to his return as soon as he’s medically cleared.” — Jeff Andrews
This injury is another major pause in Bowman’s career, with the now 32-year-old missing five races due to a concussion in 2022, and missing three races as a result of a sprint car crash in 2023.
Alongside those injuries, Bowman has seen a fall off in performance over the past few seasons, narrowly making the playoffs last season, while sitting on a now 51-race losing streak that dates back to the 2024 Chicago Street race.
Entering this season, a reported contract year for Bowman, the pressure was mounting. Nonetheless, Bowman currently sits last in points among full-time drivers and has now seen another major blow to his 2026 Chase hopes.
What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
