Alex Bowman’s hopes for advancing in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs took a serious hit after a frustrating qualifying performance at Bristol Motor Speedway, as the Hendrick Motorsports driver faces a crucial elimination race while dealing with his ongoing Bristol playoff qualifying struggles. On Friday, Bowman ended up 15th in the qualifying session, starting directly behind Tyler Reddick and sitting 35 points beneath the cutline, which leaves his playoff future hanging in the balance.
Tough Qualifying Session Intensifies Pressure for Alex Bowman
The Arizona native publicly voiced his disappointment following the session, acknowledging setbacks that could undermine his chances to keep competing for the title. Bowman, who pilots the #48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, now faces a must-win scenario in Saturday’s elimination race at Bristol.
Reflecting on his performance, Bowman admitted to NASCAR reporter Wendy Venturini,
“Definitely not good, that will be about 18th. Certainly frustrated […] I just didn’t hit 3 & 4 very good that first lap and kind of ruined both laps. We’ve got a lot of work to do tomorrow.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver
Bowman will need exceptional race results or significant misfortune for other playoff contenders to avoid elimination, given his current 15th-place standing in the playoffs, 35 points below the advancement cutoff.
Other Standout Performances and High Stakes at Bristol
While Bowman battled a difficult qualifying round, AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing achieved his first pole position since 2015 in Friday’s session. Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, and Ty Gibbs filled out the top qualifying spots, with Bowman’s fellow Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron also placing solidly in the top ten, at fifth and seventh respectively. Chase Elliott, currently 28 points above the cutline, lines up in 16th, next to Bowman.
The elimination race, set for Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, is one of high drama—not only for Bowman but also for drivers like Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, and Josh Berry, all of whom remain within the elimination zone. For Bowman, advancing in the postseason now likely requires either a trip to the winner’s circle or some dramatic shake-ups among fellow competitors such as Tyler Reddick and Chase Elliott.
Hendrick Motorsports Implements Major Pit Crew Change
Acknowledging the setbacks that have contributed to Bowman’s tenuous playoff hopes, Hendrick Motorsports took decisive action ahead of Bristol. Team vice president of competition Chad Knaus explained that poor pit stops in the first two playoff races prompted management to overhaul the #48 pit crew lineup for the critical elimination event.
Knaus recounted discussions within the organization to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio:
“After what’s happened the last couple of weeks. We’ve sat back. 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… Jacob, and Blake, and I, and you know Mr. Andrews, Gordon, and Mr. Hendrick, all have a part in some role.” [0:37]
—Chad Knaus, Vice President of Competition
“And we just decided we need to go into Bristol with a little bit of fresh. And that’s what we need to do, so we made the call.”
—Chad Knaus, Vice President of Competition
Pit road mishaps have cost Bowman dearly—he experienced a 40-second stop at Darlington and was hampered by a 23.9-second delay at World Wide Technology Raceway. These incidents have eroded his playoff margin and put added stress on the Bristol weekend.
The new pit crew features Daniel Bach as front tire changer, Rod Cox as rear tire changer, Jarius Morehead as tire carrier, and Cody French in the jackman role, all previously working for Carson Hocevar’s #77 Spire Motorsports team. Jacob Conley, Bowman’s fueler, remains in his usual position, preserving a bit of continuity amid the sweeping changes.
What’s at Stake for Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports
Bowman’s struggles at Bristol and the subsequent pit crew shift illustrate the extreme pressures of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, especially with elimination looming. The decision-making by Chad Knaus and the Hendrick Motorsports leadership—including key figures such as Andrews, Blake, Evan, Mr. Hendrick, and Gordon—reflect a commitment to giving Bowman a fighting chance on Saturday night.
With the night race set to determine the fate of several playoff contenders including AJ Allmendinger, Ryan Blaney, and William Byron, Bowman’s performance will serve as a focal point for Hendrick Motorsports and fans alike. Whether the new pit crew and his renewed determination can alter the trajectory of his season remains to be seen, but the stakes could not be higher at Bristol Motor Speedway.
