Alex Bowman to Miss Phoenix Race Due to Illness

Hendrick Motorsports driver diagnosed with vertigo after exiting COTA race last week

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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NASCAR driver Alex Bowman will not compete in this weekend's race at Phoenix Raceway due to a vertigo diagnosis after he had to exit last week's race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) due to illness. Hendrick Motorsports has announced that Anthony Alfredo will substitute for Bowman, and the team will request a medical waiver so Bowman can remain eligible for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Why it matters

Bowman's absence from the Phoenix race is a significant development, as he is a top driver for the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports team. His health issues raise questions about his ability to compete at the highest level of NASCAR going forward, and Hendrick's decision to request a medical waiver highlights the importance of Bowman's standing in the championship hunt.

The details

Bowman, 32, became ill during the COTA road course event last Sunday and eventually told his team he was too sick to continue, exiting his car on lap 71. This week, Bowman underwent two days of medical evaluation and drove laps in a street car at the Ten Tenths Motor Club road course, but Hendrick Motorsports President Jeff Andrews said the team has to prioritize Bowman's health above all else. Anthony Alfredo, a 26-year-old with 210 NASCAR national series starts, will substitute for Bowman at Phoenix.

  • Bowman exited the COTA race last Sunday due to illness.
  • Bowman underwent medical evaluations and test driving this week.
  • Bowman will miss the Phoenix race this weekend.

The players

Alex Bowman

A 32-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver for Hendrick Motorsports who was diagnosed with vertigo after having to exit last week's race at COTA due to illness.

Anthony Alfredo

A 26-year-old NASCAR driver with 210 national series starts, including 43 in the Cup Series, who will substitute for Bowman at Phoenix.

Jeff Andrews

The President of Hendrick Motorsports, who said the team has to prioritize Bowman's health above all else.

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What they’re saying

“Alex has worked very hard over the last several days. We're encouraged by the progress he's making, but we have to prioritize his health above all else. It's obviously frustrating for him because he's a competitor and wants to be in the race car, especially at his home track. We'll continue to support Alex and look forward to his return as soon as he's medically cleared.”

— Jeff Andrews, President, Hendrick Motorsports (autoweek.com)

What’s next

Hendrick Motorsports will request a medical waiver for Bowman so he can remain eligible to compete for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship.

The takeaway

Bowman's health issues and absence from the Phoenix race highlight the challenges top NASCAR drivers can face, and Hendrick Motorsports' decision to prioritize Bowman's wellbeing over his competitive interests shows the team's commitment to its drivers' long-term welfare.