AUSTIN, Texas — A surprising driver change took place on Sunday afternoon at Circuit of the Americas. Hendrick Motorsports had to turn to a backup driver.
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The change took place during the final stage. Alex Bowman, who had expressed concerns about a medical issue, pulled into the garage area on Lap 73 of 95. He had to be taken to the infield care center while the No. 48 team scrambled to make changes to the cockpit.
The team did not provide any information about the driver who would take over for the ailing Bowman. However, the answer came shortly after as Myatt Snider rushed through the garage area wearing his Tree Top Apple Juice firesuit.
Myatt Snider is hopping into the car. pic.twitter.com/F378f3BHHi
— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) March 1, 2026
Snider is not a full-time driver at this point in his career. He hasn't run full-time since the 2022 season with Jordan Anderson Racing. Instead, he has been a do-it-all person at the track.
He has worked as a tour guide for fans visiting the garage, as a pit road TV runner, and as a pit spotter. He has held numerous roles while also making starts for Joe Gibbs Racing, DGM Racing, and SS Green Light Racing.
"I've been listening to Alex Bowman, he's been saying he is sick all race long," Fox Sports' Jamie Little said during the race. "He finally just pulled it in and at the same time, that man right there, Myatt Snider, is my pit spotter, he's been helping me today.
"Chad Knaus came up to him and me and said, 'is it okay if Myatt gets in this race car?' And I said 'Absolutely'.
"So here we are. Alex is out of the car. Myatt, he races in the O'Reilly Series, he's going to get in Alex Bowman's car and try to salvage some points. Strange turn of events."
— bread perez (@bradxperez) March 1, 2026
Snider had little time to prepare for what would be his first official laps in a Cup Series car. He texted fellow driver Brad Perez to ask about braking points and then he jumped in the car. He headed out onto the track and tried to just bring the No. 48 home without issues.
Snider did not have an opportunity to gain any ground. The team had fallen five laps down during the cockpit change. But he went out and kept the car clean. He crossed the line in 36th place.
Myatt Snider climbs from the No. 48 and has a quick chat with Chad Knaus. pic.twitter.com/Nxkh7STrWL
— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) March 2, 2026
Hendrick Motorsports did not let Snider or anyone from the team talk to media after the race. The team did not provide any details about Bowman's illness after his release from the infield care center.
"It was an unexpected situation," Hendrick Motorsports President and GM Jeff Andrews said in a prepared statement. "Alex wasn't feeling well enough to continue, so we made the call to get him out of the car.
"It came on suddenly. He was seen in the care center and received fluids, but we don't have anything further to share at this time. We're grateful to Myatt for stepping in on such short notice."
Tyler Reddick from 23XI Racing won the race, making history in the process. He became the first driver to win three races to start a NASCAR season.
