NASCAR
Alex Bowman to Miss Home Race at Phoenix with Vertigo Symptoms
CONCORD, N.C. – Announced today by Hendrick Motorsports, Alex Bowman will not run this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway due to a case of vertigo. In his place, Hendrick simulator and reserve driver Anthony Alfredo will drive the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro.
Hendrick officials say that Bowman, 32, began experiencing symptoms during last Sunday’s race at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) before getting out of the car on lap 71. Myatt Snider drove the No. 48 for the rest of the race in relief of Bowman.
The Tucson, Arizona, native then went through two days of medical evaluation this week. Part of this testing was driving a street car on Thursday around the Ten Tenths Motor Club road course in Concord.
“Alex has worked very hard over the last several days,” said Jeff Andrews, president of Hendrick Motorsports. “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.”
This is not Bowman’s first time away from the No. 48 team for a medical issue. The eight-time Cup winner missed eight races for separate injuries in 2022 and 2023. 2022’s issue was a concussion from a NASCAR wreck at Texas Motor Speedway, while the latter issue was a broken back from a sprint car race.
Bowman has won once since these injuries, at the Chicago Street Race in 2024. Entering Phoenix this weekend, Bowman is riding a 55-race losing streak and is already 36th (last) in points for the 2026 season. Bowman’s best finish so far this year was 23rd-place from EchoPark (Atlanta) Speedway. All of this comes amid a contract season for the Hendrick driver.
Alfredo, 26, from Ridgefield, Connecticut, has 210 NASCAR national series starts under his belt, this includes 43 Cup races. Alfredo is already the designated man for Hendrick and Chevrolet simulator testing.
Hendrick Motorsports will also request a medical waiver, allowing Bowman to remain championship eligible for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo credits to Chris Graythen/Getty Images
