Alex Bowman voiced his frustration at Richmond race after a tense exchange with Shane van Gisbergen, expressing visible discontent over how the race unfolded in its final laps. The incident, which unfolded as Bowman battled for a win, highlighted his simmering emotions towards van Gisbergen, who was a lap down at the time and perceived as obstructing Bowman’s pursuit of Austin Dillon.
Bowman’s Emotions Flare After On-Track Battle
Following the conclusion of the Richmond NASCAR Cup Series event, Alex Bowman clearly displayed his irritation by confronting Shane van Gisbergen, dissatisfied with the way the Kiwi driver handled the final laps while a lap down. Bowman contended that van Gisbergen impeded his progress as he chased after race leader Austin Dillon, intensifying Bowman’s feelings of having been unfairly treated on track. This sequence caused Bowman to take visible action during the cooldown lap, weaving past van Gisbergen’s car and using a hand gesture to indicate displeasure.
During the race, Bowman’s frustration was apparent over the team radio as he specifically called out lapped traffic, mentioning both van Gisbergen and Jesse Love as factors that hindered his potential victory. Bowman openly recognized his emotional response after the race:
“A couple favors. I sure complained about it on the radio, but that’s just part of what we do, so…vented a little bit, but had a really good Ally 48 in the last run. Just broke the tires off too much in lap traffic. Didn’t get any breaks. That made me kind of work the rears harder than I need to. Just need to be a little better through there to get to him. I certainly think we had the better car. Unfortunately, didn’t get there.”
—Alex Bowman
Steven Taranto later shared a video captured from van Gisbergen’s perspective, documenting the heated moment as Bowman let his feelings be known following the race’s conclusion.
Playoff Pressure Adds to Bowman’s Season Struggles
The Richmond race was yet another chapter in what has been a season filled with resilience and fierce competition for Alex Bowman. With the NASCAR Cup Series entering its final regular season race in 2025, Bowman remains fiercely locked into the tight battle for the last playoff spot. Despite not securing a win this season, he has managed several top-five and top-10 results, consistently positioning himself on the playoff bubble.
Bowman’s runner-up at Richmond illustrated his competitiveness but also continued a yearlong pattern of near misses and close calls. His determination remained evident as he pushed through tough stretches and tough traffic, leaving him just shy of clinching that elusive first victory this season.
Mentorship From Jimmie Johnson Shaped Bowman’s Dover Success
Alex Bowman’s career has also been marked by notable achievements at Dover Motor Speedway, a track where he credits Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR champion, for providing guidance and support. Bowman openly acknowledged that he struggled at Dover in the early part of his career, until learning from Johnson during their time as teammates.
“I always circle this place. I love this racetrack. I enjoy it. I learned a lot from being teammates with Jimmy here. I was pretty terrible until then, and I learned a lot from him. We went on a run where we didn’t finish outside the top five for forever, like until last year, really. Yeah, it’s been a good place for us,” Alex Bowman said via Kelly Crandall.
—Alex Bowman, via Kelly Crandall
Since those formative experiences, Bowman’s performances at Dover have dramatically improved. He achieved a race win at the track in May 2021—leading 98 laps in the process—and compiled an impressive stretch of five top-five finishes in six starts. After missing the 2023 Dover event due to injury, Bowman returned the next year to claim an eighth-place finish from ninth on the grid, and he delivered a third-place finish this season, showcasing enduring strength at the 1-mile oval.
Looking Ahead: Significance for the NASCAR Playoff Race
The Richmond incident underscores the intense emotions and competitive spirit driving Alex Bowman‘s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign. His public display of frustration at Richmond race and his reflections on lapped traffic reveal how high the stakes are for drivers contending for playoff positions. As Bowman hangs on to the final playoff spot, every on-track decision becomes crucial for his postseason hopes. With guidance from mentors like Jimmie Johnson and a record of strong performances, especially at tracks like Dover, Bowman’s season appears poised for dramatic moments as the playoff hunt tightens further.
