Hendrick Motorsports has implemented sweeping changes to the No. 48 team for the 2026 season after a disappointing 2025 campaign, aiming to reset and improve driver Alex Bowman’s performance. Following a winless year that ended in an early playoff exit, organization leaders and crew members have restructured their roster and operations, fueling hopes for a resurgence as new Cup Series rules take effect.
Major Offseason Changes Target a Fresh Start for No. 48
Coming off one of his most challenging years, Alex Bowman is entering the final season under his current contract with Hendrick Motorsports. After crashing out in Daytona’s regular-season finale, Bowman finished the 2025 season 13th overall, with an early playoff elimination during the Round of 16. The season saw Bowman unable to secure a victory, posting only six top-five finishes and recording his lowest average result with the team.
Speaking before the 2026 season opener, Bowman highlighted the extent of the team’s overhaul, signaling just how significant the changes within the organization have been since last year’s struggles.
“There’s no secret last year was a big struggle for us, and we’ve made an immense amount of changes to try to be better for 2026,”
Alex Bowman told Catchfence.
“Everything from the top down, really, with the exception of me, Blake, and (spotter) Kevin (Hamlin), has been a change. So, all new faces on the team. Just trying to be better. So it’ll be interesting to get everybody working together and trying to jell, but I’m excited to get to the race track and get to work and get going on it.”
– Alex Bowman, Driver
The changes include the hiring of Jonas Bell as lead engineer from Kaulig Racing and Nick Kerlin as car chief, moving from Hendrick’s part-time No. 9 team. Crew chief Blake Harris, who has prior experience with Kerlin at Furniture Row Racing, said the reshuffle was driven by necessity and newly available opportunities.
“We had a few guys that have moved on to other opportunities, some within the company,”
Harris said.
“So that gave us the chance to restructure some over the winter. We’ve got a lot of good guys on board. So I’m looking forward to having those guys and a few new mechanics as well.”
– Blake Harris, Crew Chief
This roster shake-up kicked off during the 2025 playoffs, when a new tire changer, tire carrier, and jackman joined the team ahead of the Bristol race. While the pit crew did show better execution under pressure, the additions were not enough to keep the No. 48 entry in championship contention.
Bustling With New Faces as Bowman Enters a Crucial Season
Bowman’s status as the only Hendrick Motorsports driver who failed to reach Victory Lane in 2025 has intensified the push for improvement. His last win, at the Chicago Street Course in July 2024, already feels distant for a team expected to compete for victories. Meanwhile, his teammates continued to post strong results, increasing expectations for the No. 48 car and its revamped crew.
With veteran spotter Kevin Hamlin and crew chief Blake Harris providing continuity, the on-track chemistry will depend on quickly integrating new team members such as Bell and Kerlin. The hope is that a fresh lineup will stabilize performance and reignite the group’s competitive edge.
NASCAR Chase Format Returns in 2026, Boosting No. 48’s Hopes
Further fueling optimism within Hendrick Motorsports is NASCAR’s decision to bring back the Chase format in 2026. The Cup Series postseason will now consist of a 10-race playoff featuring a single points reset among 16 qualifiers, replacing the round-by-round elimination structure and removing the win-and-in rule. This structural change could play to the No. 48 team’s strengths, according to Bowman and his crew.
“There’s a couple times that would have been really good for us on the 48 side,”
Bowman added in the Catchfence interview.
“So, yeah, I like my chances a lot with that. I’m excited about it.”
– Alex Bowman, Driver
Blake Harris also noted that their consistency over the season gave them an advantage entering the new playoff framework.
“We’re fast more times than not,”
Harris said.
“When you look at the regular season, I think we finished seventh in points. I’ve led the points with Alex a couple of times since we’ve been together. That consistency and that format is going to play into our hands. I think it helps us.”
– Blake Harris, Crew Chief
The organization’s recent championship success—with Bowman’s fellow Hendrick drivers consistently competing at the front—intensifies the pressure for the No. 48 team to match their peers and capitalize in 2026.
What’s at Stake for Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 48 Team
Entering a defining season, Hendrick Motorsports has committed significant resources to overhaul the No. 48 crew, aiming to recapture the performance that’s been missing. Alex Bowman stands at a career crossroads, and with his contract due to expire after 2026, this year may determine both his future with the team and the trajectory of the No. 48 in NASCAR’s changing competitive landscape. The combination of fresh team members, new engineering leadership, and NASCAR’s return to a more consistent playoff format gives the group compelling reasons for optimism, as they chase both redemption and results amid heightened expectations for the Hendrick Motorsports 2026 season changes.
