After missing multiple NASCAR Cup Series races while recovering from vertigo, Alex Bowman will return to the series at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend, Hendrick Motorsports announced April 9.
Bowman takes back the No. 48 from Justin Allgaier, who had filled in for the previous three races, after he was medically cleared to return to competition.
“I’m grateful for the support I’ve had from Hendrick Motorsports, my sponsor Ally, our fans and the medical team throughout this process,” Bowman said in a team release. “It’s been tough being out of the car, but we all wanted to make sure I was 100% ready before returning. I feel really good, and I’m excited about being at the track with my team and getting back to racing.”
It’ll be Bowman’s first start since Circuit of the Americas, at which he stepped out of the car midrace due to his vertigo symptoms, with Myatt Snider filling in. Anthony Alfredo then drove the car at Phoenix Raceway before Allgaier’s three-race stint.
“We’re proud of Alex and the way he’s handled this situation,” Jeff Andrews, Hendrick president and GM, added. “He’s put a lot of work into his recovery and followed the medical team’s plan every step of the way. From the outset, our goal was to prioritize his health and have him return when he was fully recovered and medically cleared. We’re looking forward to seeing Alex back in his race car this weekend.”
Bowman’s best finish this season of 23rd came at EchoPark Speedway. The No. 48’s top result is 22nd via Allgaier at Martinsville Speedway.
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.