Hendrick Motorsports President Jeff Andrews provided an update on Alex Bowman’s vertigo diagnosis following the driver swap at the Circuit of the Americas. Although the exact cause has not yet been identified, Andrews emphasized that there is no evidence of a concussion or any long-term damage linked to the condition. Bowman developed vertigo symptoms as the race progressed, despite showing no prior signs before it began.
According to Andrews, Bowman has a history of enduring pain and illness during races, but the vertigo affected his vision significantly at COTA, making it unsafe for him to continue. Symptoms like dizziness and nausea pose serious risks while driving at high speeds. After Bowman was removed from the race, Myatt Snider took over in the car, allowing the team to complete the event.
In a SiriusXM NASCAR radio interview, Andrews remarked,
“It really has kind of come out of nowhere, so to speak. Alex has been seen and treated for some back and neck pain in the past, like I think most of these guys and ladies that strap into these stock cars and cinch those belts do after a fairly long career. But nothing out of the ordinary.”
“He’s undergone several rounds of testing to pinpoint exactly what it is. So the good news is it’s absolutely nothing concussion-related, anything like that, that should have a long-term effect,” he added via Racer.
Bowman’s Current Stand and Upcoming Absence at Phoenix Raceway
Bowman earned five points following a strong Stage 1 finish inside the top 10 at COTA. However, his vertigo diagnosis will force him to miss the next NASCAR event at Phoenix Raceway. The 32-year-old driver’s health remains the priority as he focuses on recovery before deciding when to return to competition. Anthony Alfredo has been named as his replacement in the No. 48 Chevrolet for the upcoming races.
Anthony Alfredo Discusses Stepping in for Bowman
Anthony Alfredo was initially set to compete in the season-opening Daytona 500 after advancing through the Duel races, but he was disqualified due to loose cooling hoses found in his car during inspection. Although he lost that opportunity, Alfredo finished 11th in a recent O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Daytona and has accumulated 43 starts in that series.
Alfredo has history serving as a standby driver, including during last year’s event in Mexico City when Bowman experienced back pain from an earlier incident in Michigan. Speaking about replacing Bowman at Phoenix, Alfredo stated,
“I hate it for Alex (Bowman). No race car driver wants to be in the position where they have to give up their seat for a weekend to someone else. His health is definitely the most important thing, and I hope he gets back to the track soon.”
Alfredo also expressed his intention to deliver a strong performance at Phoenix and gather valuable feedback for the team. Meanwhile, Bowman’s return to racing has not yet been scheduled, as his condition continues to be monitored carefully.
Upcoming Race Weekend Features NASCAR and IndyCar Events
The upcoming Phoenix weekend is notable as it will host a doubleheader, showcasing both NASCAR and IndyCar events. This makes the driver switches and health considerations especially critical for teams and fans alike. Bowman’s recovery status will be closely followed as the motorsport community anticipates his potential comeback.
