Alex Bowman has provided a frank health assessment following his harrowing incident at Michigan International Speedway, revealing his physical challenges just days before competing at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. As anticipation builds for this milestone NASCAR event, Bowman’s focus remains on overcoming the pain and getting behind the wheel, highlighting the theme of Alex Bowman health update after Michigan crash in Mexico City during his return to racing.
Bowman Battles Lingering Injuries After Fierce Michigan Crash
In the aftermath of last week’s crash at Michigan, Alex Bowman described it as
the hardest hit of my career,
—Alex Bowman, Driver. The Hendrick Motorsports driver’s collision registered a staggering force of 50 Gs, with Bowman’s #48 Chevy hitting the outside wall at 150 mph. This impact left him feeling battered, and his presence at the upcoming Mexico City race was uncertain. The accident tested the limits of the SAFER barrier system, forcing Bowman to confront widespread soreness only days before the scheduled start at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, which will be NASCAR’s first points-paying international race since 1958.
Despite not being fully recovered, Bowman is determined to break a difficult streak and climb out of a recent slump in his campaign. Set to drive in the Viva Mexico 250, he spoke openly about his discomfort and drive to push on with his team and supporters watching closely.
The Physical and Mental Toll of Recent Seasons
For Bowman, racing while injured is not new. In 2022, the Arizona-born athlete missed five NASCAR Cup Series events due to a concussion sustained at Texas Motor Speedway. The following year, his participation in the High Limit Racing series ended with a back injury from a sprint car accident—an incident so serious that team owner Rick Hendrick barred him from extracurricular racing activities. Even though Bowman avoided bone fractures this time, he openly admitted the pain at Michigan was
way more pain than that was.
—Alex Bowman, Driver.
Addressing his condition during pre-race interviews ahead of the Mexico City event, Bowman shared,
It hasn’t been a fun week at all. Wednesday was probably the worst day, but we’re here and ready to go… It’s all in the right side of my lower back and then through my right leg. Everything is really tight. It’s all muscular.
—Alex Bowman, Driver. He qualified 29th and stated his intentions for the weekend, adding,
Definitely a lot of pain though. The goal is to get all the laps in and go from there.
—Alex Bowman, Driver.
Currently ranked 13th in the series without a win this season, Bowman’s form has faltered, with seven finishes of 27th or worse in the last nine races. Still, he asserts that he is in adequate condition to tackle the 100-lap event on the 2.42-mile road course, though Hendrick Motorsports isn’t leaving anything to chance—Anthony Alfredo remains on standby in case relief is needed. Bowman acknowledged the unique challenge ahead by stating,
I think going to a road course right after probably makes it tougher than an oval would.
—Alex Bowman, Driver.
Challenges Posed by the Next-Gen Car and the Track
Reflecting on the specific hurdles posed by NASCAR’s Next-Gen car, Bowman focused on the physical demands, particularly the pain incurred from the aggressive curbing of road courses. He explained,
I think jumping over the curbs as much as we do and as harsh as the Next-Gen rides is the biggest challenge for me. Honestly, making laps doesn’t really hurt, just sitting in that position hurts quite a bit.
—Alex Bowman, Driver. The Next-Gen’s sensitivity to track surface and curbs creates substantial vibrations, particularly on the unfamiliar Mexico City layout lined with uniquely demanding features for drivers already nursing injuries.
Compounding the issue for Bowman, inclement weather hindered his qualifying sessions—limited to just three laps due to rainfall—adding further unpredictability to an already tense weekend. Still, resilience remains one of his hallmarks, and he summarized his recent struggles and intentions by saying,
It’s been a pretty miserable two months, and just trying to kind of get things turned back around and pointed in the right direction.
—Alex Bowman, Driver.
Team Support and Perspectives from Hendrick Motorsports
The impact of Bowman’s Michigan wreck was immense, witnessed by both fans and team officials. During the incident, his car’s rear wheels briefly lifted off the ground, drawing comparisons from some observers to iconic—and tragic—crashes such as Dale Earnhardt’s in the 2001 Daytona 500. Fortunately, the SAFER barriers absorbed much of the shock, and Bowman emerged without lasting injuries.
Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon addressed Bowman’s health status with SiriusXM, remarking,
That was a huge impact, and I was happy to see [Alex Bowman] let the window net down. I heard him on the radio when he said he was OK, and to see him get out of that car, we know that Alex has had an injury with his back before. Of course, you worry about that happening again. He certainly was extremely sore afterwards and the next day, but right now, we are confident he will be in the car this weekend.
—Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports.
A Difficult Road Ahead as Bowman Seeks to Rebound
While simply taking the green flag in Mexico City is a testament to Bowman’s determination, his season now faces mounting pressure as the Cup Series enters its latter half. A series of lackluster results have left his playoff aspirations in question. The odds may seem steep—he must contest a new circuit with lingering pain against a deep field of competitors. Yet, history offers hope: Bowman captured the NASCAR win at the Chicago Street Race last year while fighting adversity, and similar grit may prove decisive once more.
With Anthony Alfredo on standby, and the full support of Hendrick Motorsports, Bowman’s drive in Mexico City has become a symbol of resilience. The focus remains on how well he can endure the physical toll, remain competitive on the road course, and whether he can revitalize his campaign before the playoff window closes.
