Alex Bowman and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 chevrolet/”>Chevrolet team are initiating substantial changes to their pit crew ahead of the critical NASCAR Cup Series Round of 16 elimination event at Bristol Motor Speedway, aiming to boost their playoff chances. As championship hopes hang in the balance, the team is enacting Alex Bowman pit crew changes Bristol race, swapping in several key members from the Spire Motorsports No. 77 crew.
Hendrick Shakes Up No. 48 Team with Spire Pit Crew Members
With the playoffs reaching a crossroads, Hendrick Motorsports has made a decisive move, replacing much of the No. 48 pit crew with members from the Spire Motorsports No. 77 group for Bristol. Spire, which leases its pit crews from Hendrick, saw its No. 77 crew recognized as the fastest Hendrick-trained unit at Gateway on Sunday, ranking third overall. In stark contrast, Bowman’s No. 48 pit crew trailed in 28th place.
The official lineup for Bowman’s crew at Bristol, as revealed by Bozi Tatarevic, reads:
“Hendrick is swapping most of the No. 77 pit crew over to the No. 48 of Alex Bowman for Bristol.Front Changer: Daniel BachRear Changer: Rod CoxJack: Cody FrenchTire Carrier: Jarius Morehead pic.twitter.com/Xv274aldoG”
— Bozi Tatarevic (@BoziTatarevic) September 9, 2025. The move places the team’s postseason fate directly on the shoulders of these newly assigned crew members, with Bowman sitting 15th in the playoff standings and trailing the cutline by 35 points. To advance, only a victory will guarantee progression to the next round.
Early Playoff Struggles Provoke Urgent Strategy Shift
Bowman’s route to the playoffs was already narrow, and his first two postseason races left little room for optimism. A challenging P31 finish at Darlington Raceway exacerbated frustrations, as pit road issues, including a protracted 40-second stop, derailed any momentum. He later labeled the race a
“sh*tty, unacceptable day on all fronts.”
— Alex Bowman, Driver. Persistent troubles on pit road continued at Gateway, where a P26 result left the 48 team further disadvantaged in the championship battle.
Bowman recounted the discouragement after Gateway, saying,
“It was just really poor execution on all angles today. It was a bummer,”
— Alex Bowman, Driver. He further stated,
“There’s a lot of people working really hard to continue to be better. I thought, race car-wise, we were heading in the right direction once we had some air on it. We just have to go to Bristol and go to work.”
— Alex Bowman, Driver. This unresolved frustration and determination underscore the emotional volatility within the team as they approach Bristol.
Bristol: A Must-Win for Bowman’s Survival Hopes
As the No. 48 heads to Bristol for the elimination race, Bowman finds himself in a must-win scenario to keep playoff aspirations alive. Despite never claiming a win at Bristol Motor Speedway, Bowman achieved two top-10 finishes in his last three outings at the challenging short track, suggesting glimmers of potential. The pit crew changes, orchestrated by Hendrick leadership, reflect the urgency and all-hands-on-deck mentality prevalent within the organization as the all-important cutoff looms.
This weekend’s high-stakes race will test the chemistry of the newly-formed crew, led by Front Changer Daniel Bach, Rear Changer Rod Cox, Jackman Cody French, and Tire Carrier Jarius Morehead. With figures like Chad Knaus overseeing Hendrick pit crew assignments, this shake-up could prove pivotal not only for Bowman, but for Hendrick’s broader playoff ambitions as well.
Should Bowman and the revamped pit crew rise to the occasion at Bristol, it would underscore the significance of decisive adjustments during high-pressure championship runs. If not, it could bring the 2025 title mission to an abrupt halt for the Ally Chevrolet team and cast new light on the impact of pit lane performance in the NASCAR Cup Series postseason.
