Alex Bowman sidelined for Phoenix NASCAR event because of vertigo.
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Alex Bowman, a driver for Hendrick Motorsports, will be absent from the NASCAR event on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway following a diagnosis of vertigo.
Bowman was unable to continue racing last Sunday at Circuit of the Americas in Texas and was substituted mid-race by Myatt Snider, who was serving in the pits for Fox Sports at the time of the switch.
Anthony Alfredo will take the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet for Bowman this weekend at Phoenix. Alfredo has participated in 210 NASCAR national series events, with 43 of those at the Cup level. He serves as the simulator test driver for both Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet.
Bowman began to feel symptoms on Sunday in Texas and exited the vehicle on the 71st lap. The 32-year-old native of Arizona underwent two days of medical assessments this week and drove laps on Thursday in a streetcar at the Ten Tenths Motor Club road course in Concord, North Carolina, before being deemed unfit for competition.
“Alex has put in significant effort over the past several days,” stated Jeff Andrews, president of Hendrick Motorsports. “We are optimistic about the progress he is making, but we must prioritize his health above everything else. It is understandably frustrating for him as a competitor who wishes to be in the race car, particularly at his home track. We will continue to support Alex and anticipate his return as soon as he receives medical clearance.”
Bowman is in a contract year with Hendrick, which has indicated it will seek a medical waiver to ensure he remains eligible for the NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Bowman has achieved eight career victories in 364 Cup Series starts. He has been a full-time driver for Hendrick since the 2018 season and has qualified for the playoffs in all but one year.
He missed five races in 2022 due to a concussion and was sidelined for three races the following season because of a broken back. Bowman achieved a career-best sixth place in the Cup standings in 2020.
Source: espn.com
