Alex Bowman, the driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, is officially stepping away from full-time racing after the 2027 season. This news dropped on Thursday, and it hits a bit different considering he just inked a one-year extension with powerhouse Hendrick. He was in the final year of his previous deal, so that extension seemed like a good sign, only for this bombshell to follow.
Health Has Been A Huge Roadblock for Bowman
Look, the 33-year-old Bowman has been battling some serious stuff recently. Earlier this season alone, he missed four races because of vertigo. That’s no small thing for a guy racing at top speeds. And it’s not a new issue for him, either. He was sidelined in 2022 due with a concussion, and then again in 2023 for a back injury. You gotta wonder how much that has impacted his performance. He’s currently sitting 29th in points, which is way, way below the 16-driver cutline for the postseason. It’s tough to see a talent like Bowman struggling to find that consistent form when health issues keep popping up.
Finishing on His Own Terms and Chasing Wins
Bowman himself talked about it, saying, “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what’s next, and this feels like the right decision at the right time. The sport asks a lot of you, and I’ve learned it’s important to listen to your body and make the right choices for yourself.” You can hear the wisdom in that, right? He’s clearly prioritizing his well-being. He’s got eight Cup Series victories under his belt and made the playoffs seven times since 2018, mostly during his 12-year career with Hendrick. Team owner Rick Hendrick totally backed him up, calling Bowman “family” and saying he’s proud Alex gets to finish his career “on his terms.”
His focus now is on going all out for wins in his remaining time. The 2027 campaign will be his tenth season with Hendrick, and he’s expected to hit over 400 career Cup starts next season. Bowman’s already competed in 307 races for Hendrick, which ranks sixth in team history. He’s got a legacy to add to, and he wants to close out strong. We’ll be watching to see if he can make some noise and compete for those wins he’s chasing over the next two years.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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