Alex Bowman’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway came with more questions than answers. After missing four races due to vertigo, the Hendrick Motorsports driver was cleared to compete in the Food City 500. The focus quickly shifted from his health to his performance.
Bowman started 27th and struggled to move forward. A multi-car crash ended his race early, leaving him last in the field. Following the event, Kevin Harvick addressed the situation on his Happy Hour show. While he acknowledged Bowman’s return, his comments centered on results. In a competitive garage, finishing races and running up front remain the standard for every driver.
Kevin Harvick Points to Performance Issues
Kevin Harvick first recognized the difficulty of returning to Bristol. He noted the track’s physical demands and the conditions drivers faced during the race weekend.
“It’s great to have Alex Bowman back in the car. You couldn’t ask for a tougher racetrack to come back to than Bristol with all the G’s and all the heat. It was hot this weekend. Typically not that warm in the spring race at Bristol.”
He then shifted to the No. 48 team’s performance.
“It’s good to see him back in the car, but now we’re back to analyzing the 48’s performance, and it wasn’t good. Throughout the weekend, they didn’t really have any speed and wound up in an accident.”
Harvick explained that the next step for the team is clear.
“Now, they got to concentrate on we’ve got the driver’s health back where it needs to be. Now, what do we got to do to get this car back to where it needs to be, solidly in the top 10? That’ll be the next tall task that they have to figure out.”
Alex Bowman Faces Pressure to Deliver Results
Bowman completed 163 laps before the Lap 160 crash ended his race. He finished 37th in a 37-car field. The result came after a weekend where the team did not show consistent speed.
The 32-year-old has been part of Hendrick Motorsports since 2018. He first replaced Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 before moving to the No. 48 in 2021 after Jimmie Johnson stepped away from full-time competition.
In recent seasons, his results have not matched those of teammates Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and William Byron, who have each recorded multiple victories. Over the past four-plus years, Bowman has had only two wins.
Harvick summed up the situation with a direct statement.
“If you’re going to keep your job, you’re going to have to win,” he said.
Bowman has been medically cleared after simulator work, testing, and evaluation. His health is no longer the main concern. The focus now is on performance.
As the season progresses, the No. 48 team must improve its results. At Hendrick Motorsports, running near the front and winning races remains the expectation.
Kevin Harvick Sends Clear Message on Alex Bowman’s Hendrick Future