Hendrick Motorsports names Justin Allgaier as Alex Bowman's replacement

Allgaier to fill in for Bowman at Las Vegas race as he continues recovery from vertigo

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:36pm

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Hendrick Motorsports has confirmed that Justin Allgaier will replace the injured Alex Bowman at the upcoming NASCAR race in Las Vegas. Bowman is continuing to recover from a bout of vertigo and will not be able to compete, prompting the team to tap Allgaier as his temporary substitute driver.

Why it matters

Bowman's absence is a significant blow to Hendrick Motorsports, as he is one of the team's top drivers. Allgaier is an experienced Xfinity Series driver, but this will be his first time filling in for Bowman in the Cup Series, adding some uncertainty to how he will perform in the higher-level competition.

The details

Hendrick Motorsports announced that Allgaier will drive the No. 48 car in place of the injured Bowman at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway race. Bowman has been sidelined due to a bout of vertigo, a condition that causes dizziness and loss of balance, and the team wants to ensure he is fully recovered before returning to competition.

  • The Las Vegas race is scheduled for March 17, 2026.

The players

Justin Allgaier

An experienced driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series who will be making his first Cup Series start as a substitute for the injured Alex Bowman.

Alex Bowman

One of Hendrick Motorsports' top drivers in the Cup Series who is sidelined with a bout of vertigo and will miss the upcoming race in Las Vegas.

Hendrick Motorsports

The NASCAR team that fields cars for drivers like Alex Bowman and has tapped Justin Allgaier as a temporary replacement.

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What’s next

Bowman's status will continue to be monitored, and the team has not yet determined if he will be able to return for the following race.

The takeaway

This is a challenging situation for Hendrick Motorsports, as they must balance Bowman's health with the need to field a competitive car at Las Vegas. Allgaier's performance as a substitute will be closely watched as the team navigates Bowman's recovery.