Bowman cleared to race in 2026 Food City 500

NASCAR driver Alex Bowman will compete in Sunday's race after missing last week due to illness.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:56am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives capturing the energy and action of the event.Bowman's return to the lineup injects excitement into the 2026 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.Bristol Today

NASCAR driver Alex Bowman has been medically cleared to compete in the 2026 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway this Sunday. Bowman missed the previous race due to illness but will return to the track this weekend.

Why it matters

Bowman is a top contender in the NASCAR Cup Series, so his return to the lineup is significant for the race and the overall championship standings. Bristol Motor Speedway is also a popular venue that often produces exciting, unpredictable races.

The details

Hendrick Motorsports announced on Thursday that Bowman has been cleared by medical personnel to race in the Food City 500 on Sunday. The 28-year-old driver missed the previous race due to an undisclosed illness but has recovered in time for the event at Bristol.

  • The 2026 Food City 500 is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • Bowman missed the previous NASCAR Cup Series race due to illness.

The players

Alex Bowman

A 28-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver who competes for Hendrick Motorsports.

Hendrick Motorsports

The NASCAR team that fields cars for drivers including Alex Bowman.

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What’s next

Bowman will look to build momentum with a strong performance in the Food City 500 as he aims to contend for the NASCAR Cup Series championship this season.

The takeaway

Bowman's return to the lineup is a boost for Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR fans eager to see one of the sport's top young talents back on the track at the popular Bristol Motor Speedway.