Alex Bowman faces a crucial test this weekend, with his playoff hopes at stake as the Bristol Motor Speedway elimination race approaches. Consecutive pit stop issues have placed Bowman’s team 35 points below the playoff cutline, leaving his aspirations in jeopardy ahead of the Bristol race.
Pit Crew Overhaul Follows Series of Setbacks
Recent mishaps on pit road have created immediate consequences for Bowman and the Hendrick Motorsports organization. After a significantly delayed 40-second stop at Darlington Raceway and another costly error last week at World Wide Technology Raceway in Gateway, the team made significant changes to its No. 48 crew in hopes of saving their playoff campaign. Key crew members were reassigned to other teams, while new personnel stepped in to handle race duties at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Barely involved in these sweeping decisions, Bowman commented,
“I wasn’t super involved in it, had some conversations, but not super deeply involved in it,”
acknowledging his limited role in the crew shakeup. —Alex Bowman, Driver
Despite the abrupt changes, Bowman expressed appreciation for his pit crew, stating,
“Those guys have been super fast at points throughout this year, and they’re all really great athletes and do a good job. We’ve just had a bad two weeks at a time that we can’t have a bad two weeks.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver
The saga of pit stop calamities has impacted both performance and morale, especially in an environment where every second counts. Bowman described the last two weeks as, “embarrassing,” saying,
“We had a really good summer, and the switch turned off for us, for sure. It’s kind of mortifying how bad we’ve been. It’s not from a lack of effort, like everybody’s working so hard at HMS, and our whole team is. We’ve just not put days together like we need to.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver
Bristol Offers One Last Chance to Continue Playoff Run
With a 35-point gap to make up and no margin for error, Bowman’s focus has shifted entirely to winning at Bristol Motor Speedway. Points racing is no longer an option, as only a victory can secure his place in the playoffs. Facing this reality, Bowman remarked,
“It’s really not that different what we normally would,”
and offered insight into his mindset by saying,
“We’re in such a tough spot, it’s almost less stressful, right? It’s not like we’re really close to the cutline and you’re trying to make sure you don’t make any mistakes. We got to make something happen.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver
The emotional grind of the last several weeks has not spared Bowman.
“Mentally going through these last couple of weeks has not been a fun time for me… Just trying to run the best we can this weekend and be as prepared as I can be to go out there and do my job.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver
Respect remains between Bowman and his former pit crew members, despite the recent moves. He said,
“I’m definitely friends with all those guys and appreciative for all their hard work… It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they had an amazing day on pit road on the 77 car and looked really good.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver
What Bristol Could Mean for Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports
Bristol stands as a defining moment for both Alex Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports. The organization, known for its adaptability, made the difficult crew swap in hopes of reversing the season’s momentum. Athletes across the team have had to acclimate quickly, and media outlets like USA Network and NBC Sports App will broadcast Saturday’s pivotal elimination race to listeners and viewers, including those tuned in through SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and PRN Radio.
With the playoff run in peril, Bowman’s performance at Bristol will be closely scrutinized by fans, commentators, and NASCAR stakeholders. Whether this crew adjustment delivers improved pit road execution could directly decide the No. 48 team’s ongoing participation in postseason racing. As the start time approaches, the outcome for Bowman’s playoff campaign hangs in the balance, making Bristol a true must-win scenario for the driver and his reshuffled support crew.
