NASCAR
Playoff Driver Alex Bowman Not Racing at Talladega Due to Concussion-Like Symptoms
CONCORD, N.C. – Alex Bowman will not compete in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway after experiencing concussion-like symptoms following a crash at Texas Motor Speedway last weekend.
Alex Bowman in the wall!#NASCARPlayoffs // @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/7YPuKHtxBc
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 25, 2022
The 29-year-old driver is currently a part of NASCAR’s Playoffs and is 26-points below the cutline heading into Sunday’s race. According to Hendrick Motorsports, doctors evaluated Bowman in Charlotte, North Carolina today and determined he shouldn’t compete this weekend.
“I’m disappointed but know my health is the number one priority,” Bowman said in a statement. “I am committed to follow all medical guidance to ensure I can return to competition as soon as possible.”
Bowman becomes the second driver this season to be sidelined with concussion-like symptoms. Kurt Busch had symptoms that appeared after a qualifying crash at Pocono Raceway in July and continue to keep him from getting back behind the wheel.
Both Bowman and Busch crashed in a similar fashion, backing their cars into the outside wall. This season drivers have raised a lot of concern about the Next Gen car’s safety as hits that look less severe result in more force going directly to the driver. Bowman described his Sunday crash as the hardest he’s ever taken.
The @Alex_Bowman crash that’s sidelined him with concussion-like symptoms compared to the @KurtBusch crash that’s sidelined him with symptoms as well. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/SubuJDxwD2
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) September 29, 2022
As a result of Bowman being out, Hendrick Motorsports also announced NASCAR Xfinity Series championship contender Noah Gragson will drive the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet this weekend. The Las Vegas native has 13 Cup-level starts in 2022 with a best finish of fifth at Daytona International Speedway in August. The 24-year-old driver won the April NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Talladega.
Gragson was initially scheduled to run the Cup Series race at Talladega in the No. 62 Beard Motorsports entry but has been replaced by JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier in wake of the news.
Written by Noah Lewis
Be sure to follow us on Twitter
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter
Photo Credit to Meg Oliphant/Getty Images for NASCARMedia
