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Hendrick Motorsports announces Alex Bowman has been cleared, will race the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra•05/24/23•

SamraSource

Alex Bowman
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

He’s back. Alex Bowman has been cleared and will return for this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Hendrick Motorsports made the exciting announcement that the No. 48 wheelman will return in a press release on Wednesday. Bowman has missed the last month with a compression fracture following a wreck during a sprint car race.

In his stead, Josh Berry, who also filled in for teammate Chase Elliott earlier in the season, manned his ride. However, it’ll be Bowman in the No. 48 this weekend, at one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events in the Coca-Cola 600.

“Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports, will return to NASCAR Cup Series competition this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway after recovering from a fractured vertebra,” announced Hendrick Motorsports, via a press release.

“Bowman, 30, suffered the compression fracture April 25 while competing in a sprint car at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. On Tuesday, he drove a Cup Series car 170 laps during a NASCAR-approved medical evaluation test at North Wilkesboro Speedway.”

Additionally, Hendrick Motorsports Team Owner Rick Hendrick is elated with Bowman’s return, as he called the wheelman getting back into the car a “boost for us all” at the No. 48 team.

“It’s a boost for all of us to have Alex return to the No. 48 car this weekend at our home track,” said Rick Hendrick. “He’s still 17th in points, which says a lot about how well the team performed at the start of the year.

“Alex has worked hard to rehab the injury and come back strong, and I look for him to continue having a championship-caliber season.” 

Continuing, President and General Manager of Hendrick Motorsports Josh Andrews had nothing but positive things to say about the aforementioned Berry, making it clear Hendrick holds their now two-time replacement driver in high regard.

“Josh is an absolute pro,” said Andrews. “His talent and hard work allowed the team to continue operating at a high level while Alex recovered.

“We can’t say enough about the great job he did under some challenging circumstances. We’re grateful to Josh and our partners at JRM for their support.” 

At the time of his injury, Bowman was doing so well that he’s still in P17 in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings after missing multiple races, one spot out of the playoffs. Thankfully, Bowman was granted a playoff waiver similar to Elliott’s for his time missed, meaning he’s still eligible for the championship.

Exciting news on Wednesday, with Alex Bowman back in action. It’ll be fun to see him on the track this weekend.