Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports driver, shared an important Alex Bowman injury update before Pocono NASCAR race following severe lower back pain suffered after a crash at Michigan. As he prepares for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, June 22, Bowman reports some improvement and determination to compete despite ongoing discomfort.
Bowman’s recent difficulties began earlier this month during the Michigan Cup Series event, where a significant crash left him in what he later described as the hardest physical ordeal of his racing career. Despite the severity of his injury, the 32-year-old racer managed to place fourth at the inaugural Viva Mexico 250 race last weekend, maintaining high spirits while still recovering from pain.
The uncertainty surrounding Bowman’s participation in the Mexico City race lasted until the final moments, largely due to his inability to commit physically and mentally following the Michigan incident. Choosing to push through, he completed the demanding 100-lap event, motivated by a desire to counter his declining form from the last three races leading up to Mexico.
Bowman Details the Extent of His Injury Before Pocono
Addressing the latest on his condition as he heads into the Pocono race, Bowman acknowledged that recovery has been gradual. Reflecting on the past week, he candidly described the intense pain and his limited abilities during recovery efforts, while expressing cautious optimism about his current state.
“There were times last week that it was the most pain I’ve ever had through anything. Last week was the worst for me, but this week is a little bit annoying, so way better than I was last week. It’s not like I’m running right now or squatting right now, but other than that, I can mostly do everything that I would normally do,”
—Alex Bowman, via NBC Sports’ Dustin Long on X.
Bowman will line up 25th on the grid for Sunday’s race at Pocono Raceway, and remains focused on maintaining his place in the NASCAR playoffs. His solid fourth-place result in Mexico has been a confidence booster as he eyes a return to peak condition.
Resilience Earns Praise from NASCAR Figures Ahead of Pocono
Bowman’s effort in Mexico did not go unnoticed, particularly given the challenges he faced after his 150 mph crash into the wall at Michigan. He revealed that walking was impossible until Wednesday, two days post-crash, and he had to step back from all team-related activities, including critical meetings and time on the racing simulator, simply to focus on healing.
Overcoming both physical setbacks and lingering doubts, Bowman defied expectations by finishing fourth in Mexico and proving his ability to push through adversity. His determination captured the admiration of others within the NASCAR community.
“It was a good day for the 48 to overcome all the things he had to deal with physically. They show flashes of brilliance in moments like this, where we know they can go out and win races and do what they need to do. Good for Alex going out there and making it through the weekend and having a good result to go with it,”
—Kevin Harvick, via Happy Hour podcast.
Currently ranked 12th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with 376 points from the first 16 races, Bowman and the Hendrick Motorsports team face high stakes heading into Pocono. A strong performance could pave the way for playoff qualification and mark a successful turnaround after a stretch marked by injury and recovery.
This period has highlighted Bowman’s resilience and the support from key NASCAR figures like Kevin Harvick. As the Pocono Raceway race approaches, the focus will be on Bowman’s continued recovery, his playoff ambitions, and whether he can convert perseverance into race victory for himself and Hendrick Motorsports.
