Alex Bowman Injury Scare Prompts Standby Driver for Cup Race in Mexico
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Alex Bowman admitted last weekend that the massive crash at Michigan International Speedway was the hardest hit he had taken in a stock car. While he is all set to race in the Cup Series in Mexico this weekend, Hendrick Motorsports has a reserve driver on standby in case Bowman is unable to participate.
Bowman was involved in a collision with four other cars that led to a high-intensity impact with the wall. Hendrick Motorsports has confirmed that Anthony Alfredo will be the backup driver at Mexico just in case Bowman is not okay to race.
The incident was triggered by contact between the No. 41 and No. 2 cars, which then spread across the track. This caused Bowman's car to hit the wall head-on, bringing out the red flag.
Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 08, 2025...
Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 08, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. MoreNewsweek Sports reported Bowman's reaction after the incident that put him out of the race. He said:
"It happened so fast that I didn't even see them. I didn't know who hit me until I saw the video. It's always turbulent in the 300th. It's crazy back there. It gets wild and that is part of racing. It's wild all through the field.
"Unfortunately, the further back you get, the less downforce cars have, the dirtier the air, the situations you're in, and the worst everybody stuff drives. So stuff like this tends to happen."
He added:
"I feel okay. It was the biggest hit I've ever taken in a stock car by a mile. Head-on into the wall at Michigan, it's gonna be that way. Try to go get them next week."
NBC Sports' Dustin Long reported on X that Bowman will be racing this weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, but Xfinity driver Anthony Alfredo will be the backup driver in case a need arises. He wrote:
"#NASCAR ... Hendrick Motorsports states that Alex Bowman will be in the 48 this weekend at Mexico after his Michigan crash but that Anthony Alfredo will be the backup driver if needed. Alfredo is competing in the Xfinity Series race here at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez."
#NASCAR ... Hendrick Motorsports states that Alex Bowman will be in the 48 this weekend at Mexico after his Michigan crash but that Anthony Alfredo will be the backup driver if needed. Alfredo is competing in the Xfinity Series race here at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. — Dustin Long (@dustinlong) June 12, 2025
FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass wrote on X that Bowman suffered back pain after the Michigan race. However, that won't stop him from racing this weekend. He wrote:
"The team says that Alex Bowman was evaluated for back pain after his crash at Michigan but is slated to race this weekend. Anthony Alfredo, who does all the team's simulator work, will be on standby for him this weekend."
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