Hendrick Motorsports announced Alex Bowman will retire from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition at the end of the 2027 season.
CONCORD, N.C. -- Hendrick Motorsports announced Alex Bowman will retire from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition at the end of the 2027 season.
Bowman will step away after 10 full-time seasons with Hendrick Motorsports, including seven in the famed No. 48 Chevrolet. A successor hasn't been named yet.
Bowman's rise to one of the most recognizable rides in the NASCAR Cup Series is a modern version of the rags-to-riches story many fans have clamored for.
Venturini Motorsports gave Bowman his first break in 2011, putting him in their No. 25 car for two races at the end of the ARCA Menards Series season. After winning both races, he won four more times while racing full-time with Cunningham Motorsports in 2012 -- jumping to the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series with RAB Racing in 2013.
The next two years saw Bowman transition to the NASCAR Cup Series with BK Racing and Tommy Baldwin Racing. The rides didn't net much for results but they kept his name floating around the garage, where he attracted the attention of Dale Earnhardt Jr., who tabbed him for some rides in his NOAPS cars in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Although 2016 saw him get suddenly released from TBR, the move put Bowman in perfect position to fill in for Earnhardt for 10 races after concussion symptoms sidelined him for the second half of the season. He earned three top-10 finishes, including at Phoenix where he led 194 of 324 laps.
When Earnhardt stepped away from full-time racing after the 2017 season, Hendrick tabbed Bowman to take over. This move propelled Bowman to a full-time career that has spanned nine seasons, amassing eight wins, 49 top-five finishes, 113 top-10 finishes and six poles in 297 starts to-date with seven Chase appearances -- finishing as high as sixth in points in 2020.
Over those nine seasons, Bowman has missed a total of 13 races due to a concussion in 2022, a back injury in 2023 and symptoms of vertigo this year. That was a factor in the 33-year-old's decision to retire, along with the timeline he had to retire at around 35 years old.
Before Bowman stepped away, he said earlier this month, "I don't feel like I'm racing for my job or anything like that by any means."
"I want to make the right decision for myself," Bowman said. "I'm at a point in my life where I'm super blessed to be in a position where I don't have to do this forever and I gotta make the right decision and I want Hendrick Motorsports to make the right decision and kind of everybody to be on board with whatever we do. I think I have a lot of faith in Rick and Jeff and everybody to kind of guide all of us the right way."
In recent weeks, he has had some success with a top-10 finish at Sonoma Raceway at the end of June and starting July with a top-five finish at Chicagoland Speedway.
Two drivers are on the top of the list for the No. 48 car: Hendrick prospect Corey Day and current Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet driver Connor Zilisch.
Multiple outlets reported Zilisch is in line to replace Bowman in a deal Hendrick reportedly has in the works with Trackhouse.
If this were to happen, it would keep Day in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series for longer than expected. Several notable names, including Jeff Gordon and Kyle Larson, have given their public support to the young California dirt track ace who has won twice in NOAPS competition this season. However, he is still in only his first full-time NASCAR season, focusing mainly on racing on pavement.
If Day can continue showing steady improvement and win races, while maintaining Cup aspirations, there is a future for him, even if it isn't in the 48 car.
