Alex Bowman announces retirement following 2027 racing season

Field Level Media|published: Thu 23rd July, 19:42 2026

Jun 13, 2026; Long Pond, Pennsylvania, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman signs an autograph for a fan during practice and qualifying for The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

NASCAR driver Alex Bowman said Thursday he will retire from full-time racing following the 2027 season.

Bowman signed a one-year extension to keep him in the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports prior to the announcement.

"I've spent a lot of time thinking about what's next, and this feels like the right decision at the right time," Bowman said. "The sport asks a lot of you, and I've learned it's important to listen to your body and make the right choices for yourself. ...

"My focus now is on making the most of my time on the racetrack and competing for wins. We still have a lot to accomplish, and I want to close my career on a high note for our team and our fans. To have the chance to do that with this organization and these people is really special."

Bowman, 33, battled vertigo earlier this season. He had an incident in a race in Austin, Texas, in early March and ended up missing four races.

"I was dizzy in the car and throwing up on myself in the car, spinning and kind of all that stuff," Bowman said last month.

In 12 years, Bowman has eight Cup Series wins and seven playoff appearances. His most recent victory came in the Chicago street race in 2024.

Among his other wins were prevailing at tracks in Richmond, Dover, the Poconos, Martinsville and Las Vegas.

He also had three consecutive top-six finishes at the Daytona 500 from 2023-25. Bowman placed fifth in 2023, second in 2024 behind teammate William Byron and sixth in 2025.

This season, Bowman ranks 29th in points, far behind the 16-driver cutoff for the postseason.

Next season will be Bowman's 10th with Hendrick Motorsports.

"Alex has meant so much to our organization for a long time," team owner Rick Hendrick said. "He's overcome adversity, won big races and represented our team and partners with professionalism, personality and class.

"Alex is a tremendous talent in the race car and an even better person outside of it. We're proud he'll have the opportunity to finish his full-time career with us on his terms. He's family."

The Tucson, Ariz., native also missed time in 2022 due to a concussion and 2023 because of a back injury.

--Field Level Media

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