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Bristol Today
By the People, for the People
Bowman Returns to NASCAR After Vertigo Scare
Driver says dizziness at COTA forced him out and raised doubts about racing future.
Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:07am
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Bowman's return to NASCAR at Bristol's high-speed oval tests his recovery from a frightening vertigo episode.Bristol TodayAfter being sidelined for a month with vertigo, NASCAR driver Alex Bowman says he can't point to one thing that caused his condition, but when he exited his car at the Circuit of the Americas in early March, he thought his racing career could be over. Bowman is now returning to the track at Bristol Motor Speedway's Food City 500, a high-banked half-mile track that constantly produces some of the highest g forces in the sport.
Why it matters
Bowman's vertigo episode at COTA raised serious concerns about his ability to continue racing at the highest level. His return to Bristol, one of the most physically demanding tracks on the NASCAR circuit, will be a major test of his recovery and fitness.
The details
Bowman said that during the road course event at COTA, he became dizzy, everything was spinning and he was throwing up on himself. Since then, he has spent a great deal of time with numerous doctors and worked through a multitude of things as part of his recovery. He said he was 'just trying to get back to feeling well enough to do life.' Bowman's team, Hendrick Motorsports, flew him around to different places to get the best medical help possible, and now he says he is feeling really good and thankful to be back racing.
- In early March, Bowman experienced the vertigo episode at the Circuit of the Americas.
- Bowman has spent the last month recovering and working with doctors.
- Bowman will return to racing at the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 17, 2026.
The players
Alex Bowman
A NASCAR driver who races for Hendrick Motorsports. He recently experienced a bout of vertigo that forced him to miss several races.
Hendrick Motorsports
The NASCAR team that employs Alex Bowman and supported him through his recovery process.
What they’re saying
“I've raced through a lot of injuries, but that was one (at COTA) where I was going to end up running into something or somebody and the smart thing to do in that case was to get out (of the car).”
— Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver
“The boss flew me around to different places that I needed to be, and all the things that we needed to do to get me the best help that we could get, and now I'm feeling really good. I'm thankful to be back feeling well. Thankful that I get another shot at it.”
— Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver
What’s next
Bowman will look to prove his fitness and continue his strong record at Bristol Motor Speedway when he returns to the track for the Food City 500 on April 17, 2026.
The takeaway
Bowman's vertigo episode at COTA raised serious doubts about his ability to continue racing at the highest level, but his determination to recover and return to the track at the demanding Bristol Motor Speedway shows his commitment to his NASCAR career.
