Alex Bowman emerged as a front-runner in the closing laps of the Bristol Night Race on September 13, nearly clinching victory in the latest NASCAR Cup Series playoff event. Despite an earlier setback and the intense pressure of the playoff cut line, Bowman’s late surge made the Alex Bowman Bristol playoff race a dramatic showcase of skill and determination at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Throughout the evening, fresh tires played a critical role, and Bowman used his pit strategy to climb from well below the elimination threshold to a shot at the win. His performance captivated fans, especially as he battled back from a spin and a one-lap deficit that at one point left him 27 points beneath the playoff cut line.
Early Struggles and the Climb Back Into Contention
Bowman’s night began with misfortune, as contact on lap 101 led to a spin and flat-spotted tires, sending him to 27th place, a lap down. The loss of early stage points compounded the challenge, leaving his playoff hopes fading unless he could secure a win.
Taking a wave-around allowed Bowman to return to the lead lap, where he exploited his tire advantage to cut through the field rapidly. Within 40 laps, the No. 48 Ally chevrolet/”>Chevrolet had vaulted into sixth place, restoring hope to his race effort. At the conclusion of the second stage, he climbed further to third, collecting seven crucial points.
“I think just kind of getting back on the right foot a little bit and not finishing 35th is a step in the right direction,”
Bowman told reporters post-race. —Alex Bowman, Driver
“A top 10 with stage points is a solid day.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver
Still, recurring handling issues challenged Bowman’s momentum, even as he ran well during long green flag stretches.
“I thought our car when we had some green flag running was really good,”
Bowman said. —Alex Bowman, Driver
“It just cycled really poorly. I’d drive off into turn 1 and just hope to make the corner. For whatever reason, it just wouldn’t take off, and then after five laps or so it would go again.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver
Late Race Drama Unfolds With Playoff Hopes at Stake
The situation grew more intense when Austin Cindric, who held the final playoff transfer spot, experienced a fiery incident that forced him to pit. Cindric’s quick recovery minimized his losses to just five laps down, keeping the playoff cut tightly contested.
“We were pitted. The guys were ready,”
Cindric recalled.
“It was really well executed for something that tragic.”
—Austin Cindric, Driver
Thanks to his crew chief Blake Harris’s strategic decisions, Bowman found himself on fresher tires than most competitors over the last 45 laps. As the race edged closer to the finish, he closed in on leader Carson Hocevar, and momentum built as both title hopefuls pitted under green for their final set of Goodyear Eagles.
“I ran really hard when we pitted with like 26 to go or whatever and obviously chewed those tires,”
Bowman lamented. —Alex Bowman, Driver
However, a late caution just twelve laps from the finish upended Bowman’s chances, putting him on older tires compared to several rivals for the decisive restart. Ultimately, he crossed the finish line eighth, a finish that, while respectable, fell short of the transfer to the next playoff round.
The last restart was ugly, Bowman commented.
“But yeah, good Ally Camaro compared to yesterday made some gains on it. Still have some gains we need to make in the final races.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver
Bowman Eyes Future Opportunities Despite Playoff Exit
Missing out on the Round of 12, Bowman remained focused on improvement for the remainder of 2025. He expressed optimism about his potential to climb higher in the series standings, emphasizing persistence and the pursuit of better results.
“Just got to keep digging, right?”
Bowman said. —Alex Bowman, Driver
“There’s a lot of points we can still score. We can still finish way better than wherever we’re at in points right now.”
—Alex Bowman, Driver
Bowman’s next challenge awaits at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where he will start the weekend 13th in the standings. The race at Bristol reaffirmed his resilience and the effectiveness of his team, providing a foundation for renewed effort as the NASCAR Cup Series season progresses. As the playoff field narrows, Bowman and other drivers outside the cut line will strive to make the most of every opportunity, keeping the competition fierce throughout the closing events.
