The No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro will feature a different driver at Phoenix Raceway. Alex Bowman will miss the Cup Series race due to a sudden medical issue.
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According to a statement released on Thursday, the Arizona native has been diagnosed with vertigo. He has not been medically cleared to compete in the Cup Series race, so he will have to step aside.
Hendrick Motorsports noted that Bowman began experiencing these symptoms during the Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas. He ultimately exited the car late in that race as Myatt Snider became the emergency relief driver.
Bowman tried to work his way back to full health ahead of the trip out west. Hendrick Motorsports said that he underwent two days of medical evaluation and then he used a street car to complete laps at the Ten Tenths Motor Club in Concord, North Carolina.
"Alex has worked very hard over the last several days," said Jeff Andrews, president of Hendrick Motorsports. "We're encouraged by the progress he's making, but we have to prioritize his health above all else.
"It's obviously frustrating for him because he's a competitor and wants to be in the race car, especially at his home track. We'll continue to support Alex and look forward to his return as soon as he's medically cleared."
This weekend, Hendrick Motorsports will turn to Anthony Alfredo, who serves as the team's reserve and simulation driver. Alfredo has 43 Cup Series starts to his name, split between Front Row Motorsports, Live Fast Motorsports, and Beard Motorsports.
Hendrick Motorsports added that it will request a medical waiver to keep Bowman eligible for The Chase.
This marks the third time since Bowman began driving full-time for Hendrick Motorsports in 2018 that he has missed at least one race due to a medical issue.
Concussion-like symptoms sidelined him for five races during the 2022 season, the first featuring the Gen 7 car. He then missed three points-paying races and the All-Star Race in 2023 after fracturing his vertebra in a sprint car crash.
