Amidst the ongoing rumors in NASCAR’s “silly season,” Alex Bowman recently addressed speculation regarding his future with Hendrick Motorsports and his position in the #48 Chevrolet. As one of the top 16 drivers in the 2024 playoff rounds, Bowman secured his spot after breaking an 80-race winless streak in July. However, despite his success, there have been persistent rumors that he might lose his seat in the #48 Chevy next season.
During a conversation with well-known journalist Alan Cavanna, the 31-year-old driver expressed his frustration with the rumors, describing them as “annoying.” Bowman emphasized that Rick Hendrick’s senior management assured him there would be no changes to their Cup Series lineup for the 2025 season. Additionally, reports suggest that Bowman is under contract with Hendrick Motorsports at least through next year.
Addressing the rumors, Bowman stated, “That rumor has certainly been annoying, definitely. My contract runs through the end of 2026, and all I can tell you is what my bosses have told me: there are no plans to change anything. Rumors are just rumors, so hopefully, they’ll make their announcements soon so the rumors can stop.”
Since taking over the #48 Chevy from seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, the Arizona native has secured six wins for Hendrick Motorsports. Bowman further added, “I trust my bosses, and that’s what they’ve told me. Every conversation I’ve had with them indicates these are unfortunate rumors, and we’re really not even a part of them, which makes it difficult. I don’t think there’s any plan or anything on the HMS side.”
He continued, “There came a point where I picked up the phone and called everyone, and they all said absolutely not. So that’s all I have to go on, and I have no reason to believe anything different. There’s no ‘you need to do this to keep your job.’ It’s absolutely not. Everything’s fine. Beyond that, we just need to perform better.”
Among the four Hendrick Motorsports Cup Series drivers, Bowman is currently ranked fourth in overall performance this season. Kyle Larson, who narrowly missed out on the regular season championship by just one point, leads the group in terms of performance.
Despite Bowman’s reassurances, NASCAR insiders have contributed to the ongoing speculation about his potential departure from Hendrick Motorsports. The rumors gained traction when veteran spotter Brett Griffin hinted that Bowman might be “out of more” if he fails to advance past the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
During an episode of the “Door Bumper Clear” podcast, Griffin stated, “I’ll say (Martin) Truex is out, I’ll say Alex Bowman is out, and he may be out of more than just the playoffs if he’s out in the first round.” NASCAR spotter Freddie Kraft added to Griffin’s comments, suggesting, “There’s a reason why they haven’t announced any drivers in certain cars yet.”
As the speculation continues, Bowman and his #48 team are preparing for the first Round of 16 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, scheduled for September 8 at 3 p.m. ET. The race will be a critical test for Bowman as he aims to silence the rumors and prove his place within Hendrick Motorsports.
In the high-pressure environment of NASCAR, where performance can dictate a driver’s future, Bowman’s response to these rumors shows his confidence in the support from Hendrick Motorsports. However, as the season progresses, all eyes will be on him to see if he can deliver the results needed to secure his future in the #48 Chevy.
“Picked up the phone and called everybody” – Alex Bowman responds to HMS exit rumors citing Rick Hendrick-led management comments
