Alex Bowman Sidelined by Vertigo, Misses Phoenix Race

Alex Bowman will not compete in his hometown race at Phoenix Raceway this weekend. He was sidelined by vertigo following a mid-race exit in Austin last weekend.

What happened?

Bowman stepped out of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet during the race in Austin, reporting dizziness and illness.

Why it matters for Alex Bowman

The setback is the latest in a string of injuries and health issues that have cost Bowman nearly a dozen starts over the last four seasons.

Bowman's first major injury came in 2010, before his NASCAR Cup Series career began, when a midget car crash broke his clavicle and a rib.

What comes next?

The hope now is that the vertigo clears quickly and he returns to competition soon. Anthony Alfredo will take over behind the wheel in his absence.

On his 30th birthday in 2023, a sprint car flip fractured a vertebra, sidelining him for four more races. Last summer in Michigan, a multi-car pileup left Bowman with serious bruises.

Despite the setbacks, Bowman has won eight Cup Series races. Phoenix Raceway hosts NASCAR this weekend, March 6-8, 2026, with the Straight Talk Wireless 500 as the featured Cup Series event.

Bowman still worked his way up to the Cup Series, but the incident set the tone for a career marked by resilience. In 2022 at Texas Motor Speedway, a tire failure sent his car hard into the wall, resulting in a concussion.

He missed five races and lost his playoff spot. Bowman has shown his ability to bounce back from injuries and compete at a high level.

The Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway will take place without Alex Bowman, but fans hope to see him back on the track soon.