NASCAR
Alex Bowman will miss 3-4 NASCAR Cup Series races due to injury, Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday.
The No. 48 driver suffered a fractured vertebra after an accident Tuesday evening while competing in a sprint car event at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. Bowman was locally treated last night and then evaluated again this morning in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The Tucson, Arizona native enters Dover Motor Speedway ninth in points, leading the Cup Series in average finish through 10 points-paying races this season. He has one Cup win at the Monster Mile, which came back in 2021.
“First, I want to let everyone know I’m feeling ok,” Bowman said in a statement. “My focus is now on healing and resting. Being out of the car is never an update any driver wants to make. I’m thankful to Josh Berry and Hendrick Motorsports for stepping up to the plate and I know the entire Ally Racing team will give it their all these next few weeks. I’ll be doing everything I can at home to help the team and ensure my recovery is as quick as possible to get back in the 48 car soon.”
Josh Berry, driver of the No. 8 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, will fill in for the injured Bowman during his recovery. Berry filled in for HMS driver Chase Elliott during five Cup Series races this season with a best finish of second at Richmond Raceway earlier this month.
Elliott was out with an injury to his leg after a snowboarding incident, making Bowman now the second Hendrick Motorsports driver this season to be injured away from the race track.
“We’re relieved Alex is home, in good spirits and getting world-class treatment,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Giving him ample time and the foremost resources to heal is our top priority. He’s having a tremendous season, and the No. 48 is at the top of its game. We know what Josh is capable of in the race car and that Blake (Harris, crew chief) and the team will continue operating at a high level until Alex is ready to return. He has our full, unequivocal support.”
Hendrick Motorsports has already said they will request a medical waiver to allow Bowman to remain eligible for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Chase Elliott’s waiver was approved when he made his Cup Series return, making it safe to assume NASCAR will grant the team another waiver.
Written by Noah Lewis
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Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCARMedia, Noah Lewis/TSJSports
