Alex Bowman hits wall at Michigan as his rough stretch continues in NASCAR Cup Series…read more…     

Alex Bowman hits wall at Michigan as his rough stretch continues in NASCAR Cup Series…read more…

BROOKLYN, Mich. – Alex Bowman’s tough season got even tougher on Sunday during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Racing in his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Bowman was run into the outside retaining wall hard after being caught in a multi-car crash on lap 67 of 200. The impact, described as “the biggest hit” he’s ever taken, triggered a red flag and left the driver shaken—but thankfully uninjured.

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🚨 The Crash Unfolded

On a restart early in Stage 2, a tight, four-wide battle among mid-pack cars broke down as Austin Cindric’s No. 2 Ford nudged Cole Custer’s No. 41. Custer spun and collected Daniel Suárez’s No. 99, propelling Bowman’s Chevrolet directly into the wall at Turn 2. The collision brought out a red flag as safety crews rushed in.

Bowman managed to exit the mangled car on his own, making the mandated walk to an ambulance before heading to the infield medical center. He later assured that he passed all evaluations and was physically fine. Yet, he admitted the hit hurt more than anything he’s experienced in a stock car.

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Bowman’s Rough Patch

Once a consistent top-10 contender, Bowman has now endured a troubling stretch:

Finished 27th or worse in seven of his last nine starts

Registered his third DNF of the season at Michigan

Slipped from a strong start—five top-10s in the first six races—to back-of-the-pack finishes

Prior to Michigan, he stood 12th in the points standings—now destined to fall further

He explained that running deep in the field increased his exposure to chaos and said he was “opening the door” to situations like this—a sentiment he echoed after previous misfortunes in Texas, Kansas, Charlotte, and Nashville.

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Inside Bowman’s Mind

Bowman’s candid reflection resonated: “It’s been a rough two months. Just gotta keep digging.” As the lumbering Michigan crash led to what he called “probably top of the board on hits I’ve taken,” he paused at the infield care center before confirming: “I feel OK.”

Responding to questions about a change in luck, Bowman quipped: “You got any good ideas? Because I’ll take what I can get at this point for luck-changer ideas.”

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Race Recap & Season Outlook

Sunday marked the 15th of 36 points-paying events. The 400-mile contest was ultimately won by Denny Hamlin, with William Byron leading the most laps. Bowman’s early crash not only ended his day in a 36th-place finish but also delivered a serious blow to his playoff ambitions.

Hendrick Motorsports—home to Byron, Kyle Larson, and Bowman—had momentum early this season. Yet Bowman’s year highlights the unpredictable nature of racing: promising streaks can collapse swiftly. Efforts to reset must now ramp up as the series heads next to the high-altitude challenge of Auto Club Speedway (Fontana) and the inaugural NASCAR event in Mexico City.

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Final Thoughts

Bowman remains optimistic, but realism creeps in. He’s still the same talented driver who “should have been in a better spot,” he said. Nonetheless, NASCAR is as much mental as mechanical. With resilience and a bit of good fortune, Bowman might yet recover ground as the season enters its critical stretch.

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Race Snapshot – FireKeepers Casino 400 (Michigan, June 8, 2025)

Winner: Denny Hamlin

Polesitter: Chase Briscoe

Most Laps Led: William Byron (98 laps)

Bowman’s Finish: 36th (crash-induced DNF)

Despite the severity of Sunday’s crash, Bowman left the track healthy. But his season trajectory demands a dramatic correction. The upcoming races will test not only his skill but his team’s capacity to rally. His candid self-awareness offers hope—and a reminder that in NASCAR, no lead is safe.