Alex Bowman will miss a second straight NASCAR Cup Series race as he continues recovering from vertigo, keeping him out of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bowman first experienced symptoms earlier this month during the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Hendrick Motorsports later confirmed the 32-year-old driver had been diagnosed with vertigo and would step away from racing while working through the condition.
With Bowman still sidelined, Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet at Las Vegas. The veteran Xfinity Series driver previously filled in for Bowman at Phoenix and again takes over the ride this weekend.
While Bowman continues focusing on recovery, several of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates addressed the situation during media availability at Las Vegas.
Chase Elliott Understands the Frustration of Sitting Out
Chase Elliott knows firsthand how difficult it can be when a driver is forced to step away from the car unexpectedly.
Elliott missed six of the first eight NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023 after fracturing his tibia in a snowboarding accident, giving him a personal understanding of how challenging the recovery process can be.
Speaking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Elliott said situations like Bowman’s can feel especially frustrating because drivers have little control over the timeline.
“For me, I was just kind of up against the clock,” Elliott said. “You’re just sort of helpless in a lot of ways. You just try to do everything you can about it.”
Elliott said the uncertainty surrounding a condition like vertigo can be particularly difficult.
“I just really feel for him,” Elliott said. “The unknown of something like that is probably the scariest part and a really tough thing to deal with mentally.”
Kyle Larson Sends Support After Strong Vegas Weekend
Kyle Larson also expressed support for his teammate while speaking at Las Vegas.
Larson has historically been one of the strongest drivers at the 1.5-mile track and entered the Cup race weekend with significant momentum. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion won Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, continuing a strong stretch of performances at the Nevada track.
Despite his own success at Las Vegas, Larson said the focus inside the Hendrick Motorsports garage has been on Bowman’s health.
“You hate to see any driver go through something like that where they have to sit out,” Larson said. “Alex is a great teammate for us at Hendrick Motorsports.”
Larson said everyone on the team hopes Bowman can return once he is fully comfortable behind the wheel again.
“He’s just a good guy and a great teammate,” Larson said. “You just want to see him get back in the car and feel confident in what he’s doing.”
Bowman Has Overcome Setbacks Before
Bowman has faced adversity before during his NASCAR career but has repeatedly returned to competitive form.
The Tucson native became a full-time Hendrick Motorsports driver in 2018 after previously serving as a substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. the year prior.
Since then, Bowman has won eight NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning with his first victory at Chicagoland Speedway in 2019. His most recent win came during the 2024 Chicago Street Course race.
He also missed time during the 2022 season after suffering a concussion in a crash at Texas Motor Speedway but returned later that year.
Hendrick Motorsports Prioritizing Bowman’s Recovery
Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews said Bowman continues working with doctors while the organization monitors his progress.
“He’s put a lot into the recovery process,” Andrews said. “Our priority remains making sure Alex is fully ready before returning to the race car.”
Vertigo can cause dizziness and balance issues, symptoms that can be especially challenging for race car drivers competing at speeds over 180 mph.
For now, Bowman remains focused on getting healthy while Hendrick Motorsports continues to support its longtime driver.