Alex Bowman Sidelined For Phoenix With Vertigo Diagnosis

Alex Bowman will not be behind the wheel of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway, as he has not received medical clearance after being diagnosed with vertigo this week. Hendrick Motorsports will have Anthony Alfredo in the car this week in place of Bowman.

The 32-year-old driver experienced symptoms during last Sunday's event at Circuit of the Americas, which necessitated Bowman climbing out of the car on Lap 71. Myatt Snider, who was performing as a pit spotter for FOX Sports, would finish out the race for Bowman and the No. 48 team at COTA.

According to Hendrick Motorsports, Bowman underwent two days of medical evaluation this week, and drove laps in a streetcar around the Ten Tenths Motor Club road course in Concord, NC, in an effort to be medically cleared for Sunday's race, but was unable to obtain clearance.

Hendrick Motorsports remained committed to Bowman and will prioritize Bowman's health over anything else.

“Alex has worked very hard over the last several days,” said Jeff Andrews, president of Hendrick Motorsports. “We’re encouraged by the progress he’s making, but we have to prioritize his health above all else. It’s obviously frustrating for him because he’s a competitor and wants to be in the race car, especially at his home track. We’ll continue to support Alex and look forward to his return as soon as he’s medically cleared.”

The chance to drive the No. 48 Chevrolet is obviously a huge opportunity for Alfredo, who has served as the simulator driver for Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet for a couple of years. However, Alfredo hates the opportunity came due to a health issue with Bowman.

“First and foremost, I hate it for Alex (Bowman),” said Anthony Alfredo, who will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet this weekend. “No race car driver wants to be in the position where they have to give up their seat for a weekend to someone else. His health is definitely the most important thing, and I hope he gets back to the track soon. I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Blake (Harris, crew chief) and the No. 48 team for this race. It’s a group I’m already familiar with due to my relationship with Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet. The goal is to have a solid weekend at Phoenix (Raceway) and help get the team some good notes for future races.”

This marks the third time in Bowman's NASCAR Cup Series career that he will be forced to miss an event due to illness or injury.

In 2022, Bowman was absent from five NASCAR Cup Series events after suffering a concussion in a wreck in Turn 3 and 4 at Texas Motor Speedway. The following season, the Tucson, Arizona-native broke his back in a sprint car wreck, causing him to miss three events.

Bowman has eight wins in the NASCAR Cup Series through 364 career starts.

Alfredo has two career top-10 finishes in 43 NASCAR Cup Series starts, and competed full-time in the series during the 2021 season, driving for Front Row Motorsports.

-Photo: Ricky Martinez | Racing America