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Alex Bowman Cleared to Race at Bristol After Vertigo Layoff

His return comes with a steep points deficit under NASCAR’s top-16 Chase format.

Overview

  • Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday that Bowman has been medically cleared and will drive the No. 48 on Sunday at Bristol after vertigo sidelined him for four races.
  • To earn clearance, he turned laps Tuesday at the Ten Tenths Motor Club road course, then did pit-stop practice, simulator work and a medical evaluation, and the team said he has no restrictions.
  • He returns 144 points below the playoff cut in a season where only the top 16 by points make the Chase, and he is expected to need a waiver to stay title-eligible.
  • Myatt Snider finished the COTA race, Anthony Alfredo subbed at Phoenix, and Justin Allgaier drove at Las Vegas, Darlington and Martinsville, where the car’s best finish was 22nd.
  • This comeback follows injury absences in 2022 and 2023, and team president Jeff Andrews praised Bowman for following the medical plan before getting back in the car.