NASCAR reveals major update about timeline for potential Hendrick Motorsports appeal of Alex Bowman disqualification

If Alex Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports decide to appeal their disqualification from the Bank of America Roval 400, the No. 48 wheelman will know whether he’s returned to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in short order.

Bowman thought he advanced to the Round of 8 when the checkered flag waved in Charlotte, but that all changed when NASCAR disqualified him over the post-race weight of his car. Joey Logano jumped the No. 48 due to the ruling, but according to motorsports reporter Claire B. Lang, an expedited appeal could change everything, if Hendrick Motorsports goes that route.

“NASCAR just told me IF @TeamHendrick appeals the #48 penalty it will be an expedited appeal and heard this week before the round of 8 starts,” Lang posted on X.

At the least, NASCAR is extending the courtesy to Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports, as it’s essential to find out if he’s eligible to compete for the championship in the Round of 8. Some believe the organization has a case, as dashcam footage from another driver showed what appeared to be a significant piece dislodging from Bowman’s car over a bump in the course.

It’s possible that piece was enough to cause the weight discrepancy that got Bowman disqualified from the race, which caused him to therefore fall out of the top eight of the playoff standings on points.

Regardless, nothing is a given for the No. 48, as NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran explained why the move was made, and what led to the disqualification of the No. 48 car to add some more context on the situation,

“Unfortunately, when we were running the No. 48 through, it didn’t pass the minimum weight specs,” Moran said. “We pulled the car off to the side and we allowed them to fuel it which they already did. We let them fuel it again, we let them let them run the pumps to make sure all the pickup boxes were full.

“We give the teams every opportunity to try to meet minimum weight. We also have them plug in the water and run the water through the system to make sure they’re full of water and then we re-scale it. Sill didn’t meet the weight. We backed it off and we run it across one more time just to confirm the weights were accurate. Unfortunately, they did not meet the minimum weight. They are allowed half of a percent of a weight break which is about 17 pounds, give or take. That is what they’re allowed and it was more than that.”

At this point, it doesn’t seem like Hendrick Motorsports will have much to lose if they appeal the decision. If Alex Bowman and the No. 48 team actually miss the Round of 8 due to a disqualification, it’ll be a tough pill to swallow, and Joey Logano will be celebrating all week.