William Byron will race with a new pit crew member for the upcoming playoff event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, following a crew reshuffle by Hendrick Motorsports. This William Byron pit crew change comes as the team adjusts its lineup after dramatic developments in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Major Changes in Hendrick Motorsports Pit Crews Ahead of New Hampshire Race
Hendrick Motorsports opted to move Daniel Bach, previously on Alex Bowman’s team, over to Byron’s No. 24 car as the front tire changer for this weekend’s playoff race in Loudon, New Hampshire. The move follows Bowman’s elimination from the playoffs after failing to advance to the Round of 12 in the championship hunt. The change was publicized after Bob Pockrass posted details about the crew switches on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Byron’s former front tire changer, Jeff Cordero, has now been assigned to Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 with Spire Motorsports at the same event, further illustrating the magnitude of the adjustments. Meanwhile, Donnie Tasser will serve as Bowman’s substitute in the pit this weekend. The intent behind these strategic shifts appears to be an effort to optimize both teams’ chances as the playoffs continue.
Bob Pockrass shared,
“Daniel Bach, who was the front tire changer on Alex Bowman car last week and Carson Hocevar before that, is listed as the front changer for William Byron for Loudon … Jeff Cordero, who was front changer on Byron, now on Hocevar.”
— Bob Pockrass, Journalist
Alex Bowman’s Playoff Position and Performance So Far
From the Hendrick Motorsports roster, Alex Bowman stands out as the only driver who did not make it past the first round of the playoffs. Despite a consistent season comprising 15 top-10 finishes and six top-five results, Bowman currently holds the 13th spot in the overall driver standings with 2,056 points after 29 races. The Tucson, Arizona native remains winless, yet has seven opportunities left to collect a victory before the season concludes.
In last week’s Bristol race, Bowman secured an eighth-place finish to add to his season tally, while Christopher Bell took the checkered flag. Brad Keselowski, Zane Smith, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano rounded out the remainder of the top five, keeping the field highly competitive.
NASCAR Pundits Discuss Bowman’s Future at Hendrick Motorsports
Bowman’s last trip to victory lane was recorded on July 8, 2024, extending his winless streak to 45 races. Despite falling short on race wins, Bowman’s ability to accumulate points kept him in playoff contention initially. NASCAR analysts and former drivers have speculated about his tenure at Hendrick Motorsports, with his ongoing underperformance making headlines among racing commentators.
Kyle Petty, offering his perspective, stated,
“We have a voice, we have an opinion, but it’s not our decision. The sponsor likes him, Rick likes him, the team likes him, he adds something to the combination and he helps the whole group move forward.”
— Kyle Petty, Former NASCAR Driver
He emphasized the need for patience, saying,
“So let’s give him another shot. Let’s give him another shot next year and then come back and talk to me. But for right now, I defer to my man Rick Hendrick.”
— Kyle Petty, Former NASCAR Driver
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Race and What’s at Stake
Bowman’s next challenge arrives at the Mobil 1 301 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway—a 1.058-mile oval in Loudon—scheduled for Sunday, September 21. The 301-lap NASCAR event will be broadcast on USA starting at 2 p.m. ET, with comprehensive radio coverage provided by PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
With critical crew changes affecting the dynamic at both William Byron’s and Alex Bowman’s teams, all eyes will be on how these strategic adjustments influence the playoff runs. Key figures such as Rick Hendrick, Bob Pockrass, Daniel Bach, and Jeff Cordero remain involved in these high-stakes decisions as underperformance and playoff outcomes heighten tensions for NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, and Spire Motorsports. The coming races in Loudon and beyond may prove pivotal for the drivers and their crews as they navigate the remainder of the season.
Daniel Bach, who was the front tire changer on Alex Bowman car last week and Carson Hocevar before that, is listed as the front changer for William Byron for Loudon … Jeff Cordero, who was front changer on Byron, now on Hocevar. https://t.co/Y3NOv74hK4
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 17, 2025
