Alex Bowman is getting into probably the most consequential season of his NASCAR Cup Sequence profession.
The 32-year-old from Tucson, Ariz., goes into his ninth season at Hendrick Motorsports seemingly needing a giant yr in an effort to keep at HMS going ahead, as his contract with the group solely runs by means of the top of 2026.
Why Alex Bowman is beneath stress
Bowman, an eight-time Cup Sequence winner, is a stable Cup Sequence driver. He is made the playoffs in all however considered one of his 9 seasons driving for HMS, and that was partially the results of him lacking three races as a consequence of a again harm in 2023.
However at a championship group similar to HMS, stable drivers do not at all times final. Hendrick expects championship-caliber efficiency from all 4 of its automobiles on an annual foundation, and Bowman is but to make the Championship 4 in his profession.
Distinction that to Kyle Larson, William Byron and Chase Elliott: Larson has received two Cup Sequence championships in 5 years at HMS, Byron has received back-to-back Daytona 500s and made the Championship 4 in three consecutive seasons and Elliott made the Championship 4 from 2020-22, taking residence the 2020 championship.
Bowman has been removed from unhealthy throughout his HMS tenure, however sooner or later, he’ll hit his head on his comparatively low ceiling.
Therein lies the elephant within the room: Chevrolet’s star-studded expertise pipeline.
If Hendrick have been to go in search of a brand new driver subsequent offseason, there’s loads of homegrown choices to select from. Corey Day and Rajah Caruth will each drive for Hendrick’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Elements Sequence program this season and have in depth backing from Rick Hendrick. Jesse Love received the O’Reilly Auto Elements Sequence championship with Richard Childress Racing in 2026, whereas younger stars in Carson Hocevar and Connor Zilisch each drive for Chevy groups within the Cup Sequence.
Bowman’s present state of affairs is an ideal storm that might result in him being a free agent on the finish of 2026 – however not if he places collectively a profession yr and proves his price as a real title risk.
