Don’t be stunned should you see win a race, pull into the Victory Lane, and simply merely stroll out. Whereas these drivers are usually not terrified of driving at speeds exceeding 190 mph, they’ve been a bit of afraid of celebrating after the incident final 12 months. Actually, Bowman finds himself stunned, however with a frightening actuality.
Alex Bowman displays on his ‘clumsy’ scenario
“With my lack of coordination, I’m stunned that I haven’t [fallen],” Alex Bowman stated. Earlier than the beginning of the season, insider Bob Pockrass questioned a handful of drivers about their shut calls whereas celebrating within the Victory Lane. This was in .
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Whereas celebrating his Xfinity (now the O’Reilly Auto Components) Sequence race win at Watkins Glen in 2025, Zilisch stepped on his automotive’s window. His window web slipped as he was getting down from the highest, ending in a face-first fall. Zilisch’s collarbone was fractured, and he was compelled to overlook the Cup race the next day. However he managed to return lower than two weeks later at Daytona, operating the ever-important Xfinity race, contemplating his full-time participation. He managed to win that race, adopted by a streak of Victory Lane visits.
Responding to Pockrass within the gentle of those occasions, Bowman discovered himself stunned that he hadn’t fallen till now, nevertheless it got here with a dire actuality, which he spoke out for himself: “It ought to have occurred to me already. I assume I don’t win sufficient to get the chances going far sufficient to slide and fall, however I’m not very coordinated, so I’m stunned that I haven’t.”
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Alex Bowman 48 Hendrick Motorsports Ally Chevrolet waves to the gang previous to the operating of the 68th NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Sequence Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway in Daytona Seaside, FL. Photograph by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 15 NASCAR Cup Sequence Daytona 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602151510500
It appears that evidently the one motive Bowman has not taken a fall from the automotive within the Victory Lane is that he doesn’t usually go to it. The final time he gained a Cup race was again in 2024 at Chicago, and earlier than that, it was in 2022. In easy phrases, Alex Bowman doesn’t win sufficient.
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Whereas is without doubt one of the greatest groups on the sector and Bowman has been driving for them for the previous decade, he has solely gained eight races. This additionally signifies that Bowman has by no means had a practical likelihood of successful the championship; in the meantime, his teammates have clinched a number of championships throughout the identical interval. Whereas he does occur to be first rate, he’s simply not ‘Hendrick degree.’
Actually, his lack of race wins had turn into so disappointing that at one level, Bowman admitted that he was shedding the ‘enjoyable’ in NASCAR.
“Cup racing is simply so arduous, and the strain is so excessive, and all people, like all the things means a lot right here that it’s not enjoyable, proper? Like, it’s, you’re all in, and all the things issues, and whenever you’re operating poorly, as we did, it most likely sucks a bit of little bit of enjoyable. Like, successful’s enjoyable, clearly, rolled round twenty eighth, not so enjoyable,” he stated.
Saying that Bowman is a ‘dangerous’ driver could be a bit too harsh. He has had his moments of shine, however when your teammates are contending for the championship each season when you’re caught rooting for a prime 10 end, it does get a bit of arduous. But it surely does appear that the group nonetheless has lots of religion in him.
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HMS continues to think about Bowman
As talked about, Bowman will not be a foul driver. His essential problem is consistency. He was hit within the face this season after the COTA race, the place he needed to retire mid-race due to vertigo signs. The consequence? He ended up lacking the following 4 rounds and returned to Bristol, however with a disappointing end.
Nevertheless, issues have been turning round for the #48 driver. Whereas he won’t be Rick Hendrick’s prime performer, he has been extraordinarily first rate in latest races, with back-to-back podium outcomes.
“It’s one factor to do it at a superspeedway, it’s one other factor to do it the place you want grip, velocity, execution, and good restarts; and Alex had all of that in the present day,” Jeff Gordon stated after the race at Texas.
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It is extremely totally different to be ending in third place at a superspeedway and to hold the identical end on a 1.5-mile observe. Superspeedways are recognized for creating shock winners due to their unpredictability. Therefore, when Bowman clinched that consequence at Talladega, it wasn’t huge.
Mar 3, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Sequence driver Alex Bowman (48) through the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities
However his efficiency on the Texas Motor Speedway stood out. Not solely did Alex Bowman end in third place as soon as once more, however had carried that momentum all through the race. He saved himself throughout the prime spots for a lot of the race, making most use of the Chevy that occurred to be the stronger automotive that weekend.
This actually impressed the likes of Rick Hendrick and the remainder of the #48 crew: “No person has confronted greater challenges than that 48 group,” Gordon added. “For them to be smiling once more and constructing one thing, that’s actually gratifying to see.”
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It’s maybe a significant constructive for Gordon to be appreciating Alex Bowman and his group. Contemplating he was rumored to be let go from the group on the finish of the 2025 season, Bowman is now displaying huge indicators of enchancment. Whereas it’s powerful to say if he shall be a title contender simply but, he might need an opportunity to have a good time within the Victory Lane, understandably, with much more warning.
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