Bowman’s Rough Ride: From Vertigo to Victory

Alex Bowman, racing under a three‑year contract with Hendrick Motorsports that ends this season, had been building momentum. He finished ninth in the 2024 standings after a win at Chicago and improved to thirteenth in 2025 with sixteen top‑ten finishes. Fans saw a bright future, but the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) race turned into a frightening setback. Only seventy laps into the DuraMax Texas Grand Prix, Bowman told crew chief Blake Harris that he was unsure if he could finish. He spun and hit the wall during Stage 3, forcing FOX Sports spotter Myatt Snider to take over as a relief driver – the first Cup Series backup since 2020. Bowman was taken to the infield care center and diagnosed with vertigo. In a recent interview, Bowman compared the dizziness to a severe hangover: “It was like I’d drank too much and started spinning. I couldn’t even lay down to feel better. ” He added that the episode left him nauseated and scared of wrecking someone on track, making him question whether he could return to racing.He clarified that the vertigo attack happened only at COTA, not throughout his four‑week absence. His recovery involved medical clearance, simulator work, and pit‑stop practice before he was cleared to race again at Bristol. During this time, Bowman worried about the pressure on Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), noting that he has often been placed in a tough spot for the team since 2022. Bowman’s injury history is notable: he missed five races in 2022 after a concussion, three races in 2023 following a fractured vertebra, and four races in 2026 due to vertigo. Despite returning this year, he still faces uncertainty about a contract extension with HMS. Rumors suggest that Hendrick may replace him if he cannot maintain championship‑level results, especially with teammates like Josh Berry moving on. Former driver Jeff Gordon hinted that HMS still considers Bowman but may have abandoned championship hopes for him. The future of his seat remains in flux, and only time will tell if Bowman can regain his standing with the team.