Alex Bowman made a notable visit to Chicago Animal Care and Control during the NASCAR Chicago Street Race weekend, participating in a pet adoption event that highlighted NASCAR’s community outreach efforts. The visit, which took place in July, included Bowman encouraging adoption while NASCAR sponsored all adoption fees for the month, drawing praise from attendees and local residents, including Connor Zilisch’s father.
Alex Bowman’s Community Engagement at Chicago Animal Shelter
As part of the Chicago Street Race festivities, Alex Bowman spent time at the city’s animal shelter, interacting closely with the animals and promoting the adoption opportunities available. NASCAR’s sponsorship of adoption fees for July aimed to boost pet adoptions and support the shelter, creating a meaningful connection between the racing community and local animal welfare. Bowman’s involvement received a warm welcome from both the audience and the neighborhood, resonating well with NASCAR’s dedicated fans who value the sport’s charitable outreach.
During this event-filled weekend, Bowman also participated in a fan and charity gathering, demonstrating his commitment to using his platform for positive impact beyond the racetrack. Veteran NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass shared footage from Bowman’s visit, highlighting the collaboration between NASCAR and Chicago Animal Care.
“Some scenes from Alex Bowman’s visit to Chicago Animal Care and Control. In conjunction with the Chicago Street Race, NASCAR is paying for all adoption fees this month from the municipally-run animal shelter.”
—Bob Pockrass, NASCAR Journalist
In response, Jim Zilisch, father of racer Connor Zilisch, gave a succinct, enthusiastic endorsement:
“Awesome.”
—Jim Zilisch, Father of Connor Zilisch
Connor Zilisch’s Racing Journey and Recent Comeback
Connor Zilisch, who has steadily built a reputation in motorsports since his early start in go-karting, has demonstrated impressive skill and determination throughout his career. Born in Weddington, North Carolina, Zilisch began racing go-karts at age five and quickly rose through national and international ranks, securing numerous karting titles and the prestigious 2020 Karting Academy Trophy.
Transitioning to car racing, Zilisch found success in fast sports cars and earned the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year title along with multiple wins in the Trans Am Series TA2 class. Despite a setback due to a back injury sustained in a crash during the final lap at Talladega Superspeedway, he made a promising return to NASCAR competition in May 2025.
Strong Return to NASCAR Competition After Injury
Connor Zilisch returned at the BetMGM 300 held at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2025, following his recovery from the back injury incurred in a collision with Jesse Love at Talladega. The crash required him to miss racing at Texas Motor Speedway, where substitute driver Kyle Larson won the event.
Zilisch’s comeback was marked by an impressive qualifying performance, securing second place on the grid and finishing the race as the runner-up behind William Byron. Reflecting on his return, Zilisch expressed satisfaction with his car’s performance and optimism for upcoming races in Nashville.
“I felt really good. Sometimes, it’s good to get a few weeks off and reset. Really proud of this group. We had a really good car today. Just came up a little bit short, but we’ll go get them next week at Nashville and see what we can do there.”
—Connor Zilisch, Racing Driver
Significance and Future Outlook
Alex Bowman’s involvement in the Chicago Animal Care and Control outreach demonstrates how NASCAR drivers are leveraging their visibility to support local communities and charitable causes. The adoption fee sponsorship not only provided tangible benefits to the shelter but also helped bridge connections between fans, drivers, and local efforts.
Meanwhile, Connor Zilisch’s recovery and strong return to competitive racing serve as an inspiring example of resilience in the face of injury, signaling promising prospects for his future in NASCAR events. As the racing season continues, both Bowman’s community engagement and Zilisch’s on-track performance illustrate the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Alex Bowman get a brain injury?
A. In 2022, Bowman started his season by securing the 2nd spot in the Daytona 500 qualifiers. However, during lap 63, he crashed into Harrison Burton’s car, which was flipping.
Q. Is Alex Bowman in a relationship?
A. Alex Bowman and his girlfriend, Chloe Henderson, make a picture-perfect team in the racing world.
Q. How did Alex Bowman get brain injury?
A. CHICAGO — In 2022, Alex Bowman got a concussion after a crash during a NASCAR Cup Series race. In 2023, he broke his back in a sprint-car accident.
