Hendrick Motorsports Turns Its Back on Alex Bowman: Hendrick Motorsports has chosen not to appeal the disqualification of Alex Bowman from the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs after his car failed to meet weight requirements during post-race inspection at the Bank of America ROVAL 400. As a result, Joey Logano will advance to the Round of 8, while Bowman’s bid for the championship ends.
Disqualification After Charlotte ROVAL 400
Following the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 13, Alex Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet failed to meet NASCAR’s weight requirements. Despite efforts by the team to refuel the car and flush the cooling system, the vehicle remained below the allowable weight limit, resulting in its disqualification.
In a statement released on October 14, Hendrick Motorsports accepted NASCAR’s ruling and announced that they would not appeal.
“Hendrick Motorsports will not appeal the disqualification of the No. 48 car following Sunday’s race at the Charlotte ROVAL. NASCAR allows a clear margin to account for the difference in pre-and post-race weight. After a thorough review by our team and the sanctioning body, we simply did not give ourselves enough margin to meet the post-race requirement. Although unintentional, the infraction was avoidable. We are extremely disappointed to lose a playoff spot under these circumstances and apologize to our fans and partners.”-(Hendrick motorsports)
Impact on NASCAR Cup Playoffs
The disqualification means that Bowman is officially out of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Joey Logano, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and the first driver below the cutline after the race, will now advance to the Round of 8.
With Alex Bowman out, Joey Logano has gained a vital opportunity to compete in the Round of 8. Logano, driving for Team Penske, is no stranger to success, having won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship twice. His advancement into the next round puts him in a strong position to potentially contend for a spot in the Championship 4.
The eight drivers who will compete in the next playoff round include:
- Kyle Larson
- Christopher Bell
- William Byron
- Ryan Blaney
- Tyler Reddick
- Chase Elliott
- Denny Hamlin
- Joey Logano
Rick Hendrick’s Response
Team owner Rick Hendrick expressed his disappointment with the outcome but remained optimistic about the chances of the three remaining Hendrick Motorsports drivers in the playoffs.
“I don’t think you can push them. They push themselves. You’ve got to show up and do the best you can. As the field gets down to eight, you’ve got a good shot at getting someone, hopefully more than one, in the final four.”-(rick hendrick)
Rick Hendrick also praised Alex Bowman for his efforts throughout the season, especially considering his comeback after recovering from a back injury earlier in the year.
“Alex is healthy. He is confident… He and Blake Harris (crew chief) are clicking. I think that’s been the secret there,”
-(Rick Hendrick)
What’s Next in the Playoffs?
The Round of 8 begins with the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 20. Coverage of the race will begin at 2:30 PM ET on NBC, with radio broadcasts provided by the Performance Racing Network (PRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The remaining drivers will battle over the next three races for a spot in the Championship 4, with Hendrick Motorsports fielding three strong contenders in Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott.
ALSO READ: Hendrick Motorsports to End Their Next-Gen Title Drought? Rick Hendrick’s Surprising Insights
