Alex Bowman will undergo significant pit crew changes for the upcoming third race of the 2025 NASCAR playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 13, seeking to improve performance during a critical stage in the championship. The overhaul of his pit team comes after disappointing results at recent playoff events, with Hendrick Motorsports Vice President of Competition, Chad Knaus, offering insight into the decision-making process behind this pivotal move involving the Alex Bowman pit crew changes Bristol playoffs.
Major Pit Crew Overhaul Ahead of Bristol
Persistent issues during pit stops prompted Hendrick Motorsports leadership to reshuffle Alex Bowman’s pit team heading into Bristol. Among the fresh faces on the crew are tire changers Daniel Bach and Rod Cox, tire carrier Jarius Morehead, and jackman Cody French. The only constant in this transition is Jacob Conley, who will continue as the fueler for the No. 48 team at Bristol.
The changes are a direct response to repeated pit stop mistakes, including a critical 40-second stop at Darlington caused by a misplaced air hose and a 24-second delay at Gateway due to a misfit left rear tire. Such errors have hampered Bowman’s chances during already high-stakes playoff races, with the team now in a must-win situation—sitting 35 points below the playoff cutoff line as they approach Bristol. The overarching goal is to inject new energy and ensure precise execution under pressure as the playoffs intensify.
Chad Knaus and Team Leadership Explain the Switch
Chad Knaus addressed the reasons for the pit crew overhaul in a conversation with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, detailing the collective approach taken by team leadership, which included input from names like Evan, Jacob Claiborne, Blake, Mr. Andrews, Gordon, and Mr. Hendrick.
“After what’s happened the last couple weeks. We’ve we sat back We we made we had some tough decisions Sunday night There are tough conversations Sunday night, and then Monday morning. We got together put our heads together with the pit staff Evan cracks and Jacob Claiborne and Blake and I and you know Mr. Andrews. Gordon and Mr. Hendrick all you know have a Part in some role.”
—Chad Knaus, Vice President of Competition, Hendrick Motorsports
Emphasizing the desire for a fresh start, Knaus expanded on the rationale behind the timing and nature of the changes.
“You know this as well And we just decided it was you know we need to go into Bristol with with a little bit of fresh And and that’s what we need to do so so we made the call You know the the 48 pit crew is amazing there When they’re fast and they’re clicking they’re one of the best on pit road So I do feel that and we told the guys and we feel you know hardly mean it,”
he added. —Chad Knaus, Vice President of Competition, Hendrick Motorsports
The new rotation gives Bowman’s regular pit crew members a chance to demonstrate their abilities in different roles while providing the 77 car a competitive edge. Knaus noted the wider benefits of this shakeup, describing it as a necessary reset for those involved.
“Regulars on the 48 an opportunity to Go out there and show that their strength and what they’re capable of doing and you know that 77 cars more than capable of winning that race as well, so It’s it’s a good reset for everybody.”
—Chad Knaus, Vice President of Competition, Hendrick Motorsports
Bowman’s Season Performance and Challenges
Despite a year marked by consistency, Alex Bowman has yet to secure a win in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. His resume boasts two poles at Homestead-Miami and Bristol, alongside six top-five and 14 top-ten finishes, but the elusive victory has increased pressure as the playoffs advance. Mistakes by the pit crew, especially in the early postseason races, have significantly undercut his overall performance and now force him into a do-or-die situation at Bristol.
Reflections After Difficult Gateway Race
The urgency for change was sharpened by Bowman’s struggles in the Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway, where a combination of poor execution and starting from P25 led to a 26th-place finish—Bowman’s worst among Hendrick Motorsports drivers at the event. The outcome yielded just 11 points and highlighted the broader performance issues plaguing the team.
“It was just really poor execution on all angles today. It was a bummer. I thought our No. 48 Ally Chevrolet was OK once we were kind of towards the front-half. We just struggled in the back. Super frustrating, but all we can do is keep digging. 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, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Although the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet showed competitive speed once within the lead group, consistent setbacks relegated Bowman to the rear. He remains determined, focusing on improvement as the Bristol race approaches—viewed by both Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports as an opportunity to reset, capitalize on fresh personnel, and strive for playoff advancement.
Looking Forward: The Stakes at Bristol
The strategic switch of Bowman’s pit crew underscores the high stakes at Bristol Motor Speedway. As Hendrick Motorsports and Bowman aim for a clutch win to keep their championship hopes alive, the entire organization—including key figures such as Chad Knaus, Gordon, Mr. Hendrick, Evan, and others—will be closely watching the payoff from these changes. With the margin for error slimmer than ever, the team’s ability to adapt under pressure will be tested, and the outcome at Bristol is set to determine whether these Alex Bowman pit crew changes Bristol playoffs become a turning point in their season.
