The official 36-car field for the 29th annual Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been released for the March 15, 2026 race, but questions remain over Alex Bowman‘s participation as he continues to recover from vertigo. As NASCAR‘s top drivers and teams gear up for the event, Bowman is still listed for the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, though his health status leaves his Las Vegas NASCAR entry unresolved.
Strong Entry List for Las Vegas Draws Top Drivers
NASCAR has confirmed a complete field for the upcoming Pennzoil 400, featuring elite teams and drivers representing Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. Among these are Trackhouse Racing with Ross Chastain, Connor Zilisch, and Shane van Gisbergen driving Chevrolets. Team Penske brings Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano in their Ford entries, while Joe Gibbs Racing features Toyota drivers Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs.
The entry list also includes Hendrick Motorsports with Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman, whose appearance is currently uncertain. RFK Racing has Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, and Ryan Preece entered. Richard Childress Racing is represented by Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch, and 23XI Racing fields Bubba Wallace, Riley Herbst, and Tyler Reddick. The entry highlights the full spectrum of premier NASCAR organizations, including Front Row Motorsports, Kaulig Racing, Spire Motorsports, Wood Brothers Racing, Legacy Motor Club, Haas Factory Team, Hyak Motorsports, and Rick Ware Racing.
“36 Cup entries for Vegas. Bowman is listed in the 48 but Hendrick has not announced his status. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/l1eao8ZbRi” — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass)
Alex Bowman’s Recovery Clouds No. 48 Lineup
Attention is focused on the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 team, as Alex Bowman is still recovering from a recent vertigo diagnosis. Bowman’s health issues arose during the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas, where he left the competition on lap 71 due to illness. Medical evaluations afterward confirmed vertigo, causing him to miss subsequent competitions.
With Bowman’s participation in the Las Vegas race uncertain, Anthony Alfredo filled in at Phoenix, scoring owner points for the No. 48 while Bowman did not register driver points. To ensure Bowman’s championship hopes remain intact, Hendrick Motorsports has applied to NASCAR for a medical waiver, which would protect his 2026 eligibility if his recovery continues to interrupt his race schedule. While Bowman is still officially entered for Las Vegas, the final decision on his participation is pending further updates from Hendrick Motorsports and his doctors.
Sponsors and Returning Drivers Boost Race Expectations
The Las Vegas NASCAR entry is further highlighted by strong sponsorships and a roster of notable drivers. Shane van Gisbergen will drive the Trackhouse No. 97 with support from SuperFile, while Chris Buescher’s RFK Ford (No. 17) presents Smith’s and Farm Rich on the car. The entry list also displays robust sponsor backing for several frontrunners: Kyle Larson’s No. 5 features HendrickCars.com, Chase Elliott’s No. 9 has NAPA Auto Parts, and Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 prominently carries Yahoo. Further down the lineup, Menards and Pennzoil continue to support Ryan Blaney, Jordan Brand teams up with Tyler Reddick, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. brings NOS Energy to the field.
As the Pennzoil 400 approaches, all eyes are on whether the full field will compete and if Alex Bowman will be cleared in time to join the lineup. This uncertainty adds an emotionally charged element to the race, elevating anticipation among fans and teams. The combination of top talent, strong sponsorship, and unresolved driver questions ensures that the Las Vegas event will be watched closely not just for the racing but also for its impact on the ongoing Cup Series narrative and championship prospects.
36 Cup entries for Vegas. Bowman is listed in the 48 but Hendrick has not announced his status. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/l1eao8ZbRi
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 9, 2026
