Hendrick Motorsports Replaces Alex Bowman with Myatt Snider at COTA

Bowman exited the race due to an unexpected health issue, with Snider stepping in on short notice.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Hendrick Motorsports has issued a statement regarding the driver swap between Alex Bowman and Myatt Snider during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Sunday. Bowman, who was not feeling well, was replaced by Snider, who had never competed in a Cup Series race before.

Why it matters

This unexpected driver change highlights the challenges teams can face during a race weekend, having to quickly adapt when a driver is unable to continue. It also provides an opportunity for lesser-known drivers like Snider to get experience at the top level of NASCAR.

The details

Bowman completed 70 of the 95 laps at COTA before exiting the No. 48 Chevrolet. Snider, who was working as a pit spotter for FOX Sports, replaced Bowman and finished 36th. Snider has 112 starts in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and 36 starts in the Truck Series, but this was his first-ever Cup Series race.

  • Bowman exited the race on lap 70 of 95.
  • Snider replaced Bowman and finished the race.

The players

Hendrick Motorsports

The NASCAR team that fields cars for drivers such as Alex Bowman.

Alex Bowman

The regular driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, who was not feeling well and had to exit the COTA race.

Myatt Snider

A driver who had never competed in a NASCAR Cup Series race before, but replaced Bowman on short notice at COTA.

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What they’re saying

“It was an unexpected situation. Alex wasn't feeling well enough to continue, so we made the call to get him out of the car. It came on suddenly. He was seen in the care center and received fluids, but we don't have anything further to share at this time. We're grateful to Myatt for stepping in on such short notice.”

— Hendrick Motorsports (on3.com)

What’s next

Hendrick Motorsports will likely provide more updates on Bowman's condition and whether he will be able to compete in the next NASCAR Cup Series race.

The takeaway

This driver swap at COTA highlights the unpredictable nature of motorsports, where teams must be prepared to quickly adapt when unexpected situations arise. It also provides an opportunity for lesser-known drivers to gain valuable experience at the top level of the sport.