NASCAR rumors around Alex Bowman spark concern about future with Hendrick Motorsports

Silly Season is rumor season, and the one currently percolating involves Alex Bowman and his NASCAR Cup Series future.

Bowman is signed through at least the 2025 season with Hendrick Motorsports, but hasn’t lived up to the team’s lofty standards, especially in the No. 48 Chevrolet previously driven by seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson. Bowman, however, snapped an 80-race winless streak at the Chicago Street Race in July. You would think that would have afforded him a longer leash at Hendrick, but his performance in the aftermath of that victory hasn’t been up to par.

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Since a P3 finish at Pocono, Bowman has finished outside the top-15 in five consecutive races. That includes finishes of P31, P28 and P27. Bowman enters the postseason with just five playoff points to his name and it could very well be a quick exit for the 31-year-old. If that happens to be the case, NASCAR spotter and “Door Bumper Clear” host Brett Griffin believes Bowman could be out of a job at Hendrick.

“There’s a reason they haven’t announced any drivers in certain cars yet” – Freddie Kraft

A rumor that has been making the rounds is Bowman out at Hendrick and moving to the #7 car in 2025. pic.twitter.com/DjVsHyAdwl

— BrakeHard (@BrakeHardBlog) September 4, 2024

“I’d say Alex Bowman is out, and he may be out in more than just the playoffs if he’s out first round.” Griffin said.

Freddie Kraft, spotter for Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 team, chimed in with, “There’s a reason they haven’t announced any drivers in certain cars yet.” Austin Konenski of Motorsports Wire followed up on Griffin and Kraft’s remarks with the following: “It has certainly made rounds for a few weeks now…we’ll see what happens with Spire Motorsports and other NASCAR teams.” Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports previously mentioned that it seems like Bowman “can’t afford many hiccups” even after his win at Chicago.

Alex Bowman headed for Hendrick split?

“Bowman is signed through at least next year,” Pockrass wrote last month. “His win on July 7 on the Chicago street course did — at least temporarily — quiet much of the speculation that he could be out of this ride. Even with that win, it seems he can’t afford many hiccups.”

One team which hasn’t announced its full driver lineup is Spire. The team announced in late July Corey LaJoie wouldn’t return to the team in 2025. But when it comes to his replacement in the No. 7 Chevrolet, Spire has been quiet. Rick Ware Racing’s Justin Haley is one of the favorites to land the ride.

Spire already has its No. 7 team crew chief locked in, signing veteran Rodney Childers from Stewart-Haas Racing. Josh Berry didn’t follow Childers to Spire, and Haley still has at least one more year on his deal at Rick Ware, so could the team be holding out for Bowman?

That, of course, will be up for Hendrick to decide. It is clear, though, that Bowman tends to get lost in the shuffle at Hendrick. Kyle Larson is arguably the best driver in the world, Chase Elliott the most popular and Byron is a three-time winner this season. Bowman has tallied 12 top 10s and six top 5s this season, impressive, but he’s led just 14 laps through 26 races. For context, that’s less than the amount led by Haley, Berry, LaJoie, Austin Dillon, John Hunter Nemechek and just one more than Harrison Burton.

So, yes, Bowman has picked up solid finishes, but he’s never been THE car to beat. Does Bowman need to advance out of the first round to keep his ride at Hendrick? Time will tell, though it’s clear the pressure is on.