Alex Bowman is unbothered by his recent rough finishes ahead of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. The Hendrick Motorsports driver, who qualified with the fastest lap for the last Cup race at Bristol, unfortunately, ended up 37th after his No. 48 Chevrolet faced engine issues. This marked Bowman’s fourth finish outside the top 25 in 2025, with three of those being consecutive.
The 32-year-old shared his thoughts on his fall in performances with NASCAR reporter Toby Christie. After starting from 33rd, Bowman finished 35th at Darlington. However, the prior week at Homestead-Miami, he earned the pole and finished second, just behind fellow HMS teammate Kyle Larson. This season, Bowman also boasts four other top-10 finishes, showcasing his capability despite setbacks.
The JACK Link’s 500 is set to commence at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 27. Bowman, who has led 240 laps at the superspeedway with the New Gen car, has managed two top-10 finishes in his last five starts at the 2.66-mile tri-oval in Alabama, further indicating that he remains a strong competitor.
Bowing out in Bristol was a disappointment, particularly as teams anticipated tire wear, similar to last spring’s race. Bowman faced unexpected engine failure after starting the Food City 500 from pole. He led the first 40 laps but began experiencing engine issues around Lap 285 during stage 3 of the 500-lap race, slipping from third to 22nd and ultimately having to park his car by lap 347.
Bowman also made headlines during qualifying at Bristol, where he set a record with his 14.912-second lap at 128.675 mph, the fastest at the 0.533-mile short track for the Next Gen car. Last season, he ended an 80-race winless streak with a victory at the Grant Park 165 at the Chicago Street Course, representing his only win of the 2024 season. Currently, he sits 10th in the Cup playoff standings as he approaches the upcoming race.
The implications of Bowman’s recent struggles and resilience speak volumes about his determination. The Talladega race could provide an opportunity for him to bounce back and reclaim his place as a formidable contender in NASCAR.
