Mike Joy, a long-standing Fox Sports commentator, has publicly apologized to Alex Bowman following a mistaken broadcast about the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s recent health issue during the Circuit of the Americas race. The mix-up concerning Bowman’s vertigo diagnosis caused confusion among viewers and fans, bringing extra attention to the situation as it unfolded throughout the NASCAR season.
During the Circuit of the Americas event earlier in March, Mike Joy informed viewers that Alex Bowman left the race due to vertigo. However, Hendrick Motorsports clarified that Bowman’s exit during Stage 3, which led to Myatt Snider stepping in and finishing the event, was not due to vertigo at that moment. Bowman’s car wrapped up the race in 36th place, and fans quickly identified discrepancies in the initial reporting after HMS later confirmed his vertigo diagnosis.
Commentator Issues Public Correction Over On-air Statement
After the broadcast, many fans pointed out the inconsistency of the information once Hendrick Motorsports announced that Bowman’s vertigo occurred post-race. Responding to the public and Bowman’s team, Mike Joy addressed his error via social media:
“I misspoke Sunday about [Alex Bowman]’s vertigo, which he experienced during the COTA race. Apologies to Alex; I’ll correct and update on Sunday’s telecast. Hope he’s recovered and back on track soon,”
Mike Joy wrote. — Mike Joy, Play-by-Play Announcer
Joy’s decision to apologize and acknowledge the mistake emphasized the importance of accurate reporting, especially with sensitive health issues in high-stakes motorsports.
Hendrick Motorsports Provides Clarification and Ongoing Support
Hendrick Motorsports, led by president Jeff Andrews, clarified that Bowman’s recent vertigo diagnosis is not related to his previous concussion history. The team confirmed that after experiencing symptoms post-COTA, Bowman underwent a series of medical tests, confirming the vertigo but ruling out any lingering effects from past concussions.
As a precaution, the team appointed Anthony Alfredo as the stand-in driver for the No. 48 Chevrolet at the Phoenix Raceway. While Alfredo was competitive—running seventh late in the race—he was caught in a crash that resulted in a finish outside the top twenty. Bowman’s absence reignited memories of his missed races in 2022 due to a concussion after Texas Motor Speedway, and his earlier role as a replacement for Dale Earnhardt Jr. during the 2016 Cup Series when Earnhardt Jr. suffered a concussion himself.
Team Leadership Comments on Bowman’s Health and Return
Jeff Andrews provided insights about the team’s response and their approach to the Alex Bowman vertigo diagnosis during a SiriusXM NASCAR Radio interview.
“It really has kind of come out of nowhere, so to speak.”
— Jeff Andrews, Hendrick Motorsports President
“He’s undergone several rounds of testing to pinpoint exactly what it is. So the good news is it’s absolutely nothing concussion-related, anything like that, that should have a long-term effect. We’ll support him however long this takes, and that seat will be ready for him when he’s ready to get back in that car,”
Andrews said. — Jeff Andrews, Hendrick Motorsports President
The team remains publicly supportive of Bowman and appears ready to accommodate his recovery timeline.
What Lies Ahead for Alex Bowman and the Cup Series Season
Prior to this incident, Alex Bowman’s 2026 Cup season had already been off to a rocky start, with subpar results in both the Daytona 500 and Atlanta races. As he works through his recovery, the focus is now on when he can safely return to the driver’s seat as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for its fifth race of the year on March 15.
This mix-up and subsequent clarification highlight the importance of clear communication within motorsport teams, broadcasters, and fans, especially when driver health is the concern. The NASCAR community, including prominent individuals such as Myatt Snider and Anthony Alfredo, as well as the fans and media figures like Mike Joy, continue to monitor Bowman’s progress and the team’s updates closely.
I misspoke Sunday about @Alex_Bowman's vertigo, which he experienced during the COTA race.
Apologies to Alex; I'll correct and update on Sunday's telecast. Hope he's recovered and back on track soon.— Mike Joy (@mikejoy500) March 10, 2026
🗣️ @TeamHendrick's Jeff Andrews gives an update on @Alex_Bowman, who will miss this weekend's race @phoenixraceway due to vertigo ⬇️
"It's absolutely nothing concussion related […] that should have long term effects."
More w/ Jeff Andrews: https://t.co/WGRTG5gnEd pic.twitter.com/LTS0u2eaLj
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) March 6, 2026
