Alex Bowman will return to the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway after missing four races due to vertigo. The Hendrick Motorsports driver first showed symptoms during the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas. He began to feel unwell during the event and later stepped out of the car.
The issue led to several weeks of medical checks and recovery work. Doctors cleared him only after a full evaluation that included simulator sessions and follow-up tests. Those steps confirmed he could safely return to racing.
His comeback comes at a key point in the season as the series heads to one of its most demanding short tracks. Bowman now prepares to get back in the No. 48 Chevrolet and resume competition at full speed.
Alex Bowman Details What Happened at COTA
Bowman said the issue began without warning during the race in Austin. He explained how the situation changed quickly while he was behind the wheel.
“COTA wasn’t a lot of fun for me. Everything was fine until it wasn’t. In the car, I got dizzy, got sick, spun, just a bit of everything. It wasn’t a good situation, and I’m not happy I had to get out.”
He said the symptoms made it unsafe to continue racing, which led to his decision to exit the car.
“I’ve raced through a lot of injuries, but this was different. I felt like I was going to run into something or someone, so the smart thing to do was to step out.”
The symptoms pointed to vertigo, which affects balance and awareness. That raised concerns because drivers must stay sharp at high speeds and in close-quarters racing conditions. Bowman said the main goal after the race was to understand what caused the issue and how to fix it.
Recovery Process Leads to NASCAR Cup Series Return
Bowman spent the following weeks working with doctors and specialists to manage the condition. He said the process involved several steps to help him recover and return to racing form.
“I spent a lot of time with different doctors and got a lot of help to figure out the best rehab process and what I needed to do to get back to where I could race again.”
He confirmed that vertigo was the main issue doctors focused on during treatment.
“The biggest thing was dealing with vertigo. We had to figure out what was causing it, why it happened, and what the right path forward was. There was definitely some concern there.”
During that time, Bowman said he focused on basic recovery before thinking about racing again.
“At the same time, I was just trying to get back to feeling normal and able to go about everyday life.”
He also pointed to the support he received during his recovery period.
“I had a lot of great people around me who helped a ton. The boss flew me to different places to get the best care possible. We did everything we could to make sure I got the help I needed.”
Doctors did not find a single clear cause for the condition.
“As far as the cause, it wasn’t just one thing. It was probably a combination of different factors that we had to work through. We looked at a lot of possibilities, so it’s hard to point to one exact cause.”
Bowman said his condition has improved and he feels ready to compete again.
“The important thing is that I’m feeling good now and ready to go.”
Bristol Motor Speedway return marks next step in comeback
Bowman also shared what he thought when he first stepped out of the car in Austin.
“Honestly, when I got out at COTA, I thought that might be it for me. That’s what was going through my head at the time. That part was tough, but I’m thankful I’ve got another shot to race again.”
With full medical clearance, Bowman will return to action at Bristol. The NASCAR Cup Series race will mark his first start since the incident and his first step back into the 2026 season. The short track is known for tight racing and heavy contact, which will test drivers early in a run. For Bowman, the focus is on completing the race and continuing his recovery while competing at the top level.
NASCAR Cup Series: Alex Bowman Reveals Scary COTA Moment Before Bristol Motor Speedway Comeback