Alex Bowman injury update: Jeff Gordon addresses Mexico City status after scary Michigan wreck

Alex Bowman hit the outside wall head-on on Lap 67 of Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway. It was a scary impact for the Hendrick Motorsports driver, and it resulted in NASCAR issuing the red flag.

Two days removed from the hit, Hendrick vice chairman Jeff Gordon provided an update on Bowman’s status for this weekend. Gordon told Danielle Trotta on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that Bowman was sore “afterwards and the next day,” but should be good to compete in Sunday’s Viva Mexico 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

“That was a huge impact, and I was happy to see him let the window net down,” Gordon said Tuesday. “I heard him on the radio when he said he was OK, and to see him get out of that car — we know that Alex has had an injury with his back before. Of course, you worry about that happening again. He certainly was extremely sore afterwards and the next day, but right now, we are confident he will be in the car this weekend.”

Alex Bowman reacts to violent NASCAR crash at Michigan

Bowman has taken his share of big hits throughout his racing career. He suffered a fractured vertebra in April 2023 after his Sprint Car flipped during a High Limit Racing event. Bowman missed four Cup Series races as a result of the injury. This one, however, was the hardest hit he’s ever taken, he admitted.

“Yeah, that hurt a lot. Probably top of the board on hits I’ve taken, and unfortunately, I’ve taken a lot of hits,” Bowman said. “So, hate that for the Ally 48 team, obviously, Ally’s from here. Yeah, it looks like, I don’t know, the 41 got loose or the 2 got into him or something. Then, yeah, at that point you’re just along for the ride. Couldn’t really do anything except think about, ‘Oh, shit, this is about to hurt really bad.’ Yeah, hate that for our team, and it’s been a rough two months. So, just gotta keep digging.”

Unfortunately for Bowman, the wreck meant a third DNF of his 2025 season. It’s been a struggle of late for Bowman, as he’s finished 27th or worse in seven of his last nine starts. Suddenly, he’s 13th in the points standings and hanging out on the playoff bubble.

Mexico City represents an opportunity to get back on track. Bowman has performed well on road courses, and won last year’s Chicago Street Race.