NASCAR driver Alex Bowman overcame a concussion and a broken back to capture a thrilling Cup victory in Chicago, ending his 80-race winless streak and silencing rumors about his job security.
CHICAGO – Alex Bowman has endured a challenging few years, suffering a concussion in 2022 and a broken back in 2023. But on Sunday, the Hendrick Motorsports driver defied adversity with a triumphant victory in the rain-shortened Cup race in Chicago.
Bowman's victory was a testament to his unwavering determination. After leading just six laps all season, he found himself in a prime position as the race approached its climax. With slick tires on his car while his rivals wore slower rain tires, Bowman held off Tyler Reddick in a gripping battle over the final circuits of the 2.2-mile course.
Bowman Breaks Winless Streak After Health Challenges
"I broke my back, had a brain injury, and we've kind of sucked ever since," Bowman said. "You start to second-guess if you're ever going to get a chance to win a race again."
Bowman's victory broke his 80-race winless streak and boosted his confidence. It also fueled optimism within Hendrick Motorsports, which had seen its other drivers win earlier in the season.
"You've got to win at some point," said Hendrick vice chairman Jeff Gordon. "You've got to win not just because you're at Hendrick Motorsports but because it's really hard to get the team where they need to be to compete at the highest level on a regular basis...without victories."
Despite his previous struggles, Bowman had maintained 11 top-10 finishes this season, tied for second-most in the series. The win, however, symbolized a significant breakthrough for both Bowman and his team.
"I just kind of tried to take care of the tires and then I realized that there were slicks coming and ran pretty hard there for the last two laps," Bowman said. "There was only so much time left in the race and I knew with a gap that I saw behind me that we were in a really good spot."
The race featured several other notable moments, including an eventful restart that saw Bubba Wallace slam into Bowman. NASCAR will evaluate the contact for any potential penalties.
Meanwhile, two of the pre-race favorites, Kyle Larson and defending race winner Shane van Gisbergen, crashed out of the race due to the wet conditions. Larson locked up his brakes and hit the wall, while van Gisbergen was hit by Chase Briscoe.
NASCAR's new darkness procedure was tested during the race. Teams were informed that the race would end at 8:20 p.m. CT, two laps after the leader crossed the start-finish line once the time was reached. Drivers expressed satisfaction with the procedure, which provided clarity and predictability.
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR for FOX Sports and has decades of experience covering motorsports. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass for the latest news and insights.
