Alex Bowman experienced the most severe collision of his stock car racing career on Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, abruptly ending his run on Lap 67 with a direct hit to the outside wall that forced NASCAR to issue a red flag. This incident occurred as Bowman was positioned near the back of the field, entangled in a pack-upset caused initially by contact between Austin Cindric and Cole Custer, which propelled Bowman into the barrier.
Kevin Harvick, speaking on Tuesday’s Happy Hour podcast, expressed concern about Bowman’s on-track situation and the ramifications for the No. 48 team. Harvick emphasized the dangers of racing at the rear of the pack, noting the frequent high-risk encounters that arise in those conditions.
you get yourself in these wrecks by being around those cars [in the back].
—Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Driver
I don’t think that it’s anything different than the way that it’s been for him the last couple years. It’s like they get these little bursts and then all of a sudden, they’re just flat again,
Harvick said, describing the team‘s inconsistent performance.
Definitely, if I was them, I would be concerned, because you get yourself in these wrecks by being around those cars, and you run with the squirrels and get your nuts cracked, right? But, you know, you get in those positions where you got four-wide, the racing the further you get back, the more difficult it becomes, and you wind up in positions like this.
So, nothing of his doing, but you’re just around the wrong cars. And let me rephrase this, you’re in the wrong part of the pack. It could be the cars up in the front next week that are in the back of the pack. It’s just the back of the pack, no matter which cars there are, it’s just difficult.
Bowman’s Recent Performance Woes Deepen in 2025
Throughout his racing career, Bowman has endured various significant impacts, including a fractured vertebra sustained in April 2023 when his Sprint Car flipped during a High Limit Racing event, causing him to miss four Cup Series races. Despite his resilience, the recent crash at Michigan marked his third Did Not Finish (DNF) in the 2025 NASCAR season.
His struggles this year are clear, with seven finishes of 27th place or worse in his last nine events, causing his standing to slip to 13th in the points rankings and placing him precariously close to falling out of playoff contention. The ongoing difficulties have weighed heavily on Bowman and his team.
Yeah, that hurt a lot. Probably top of the board on hits I’ve taken, and unfortunately, I’ve taken a lot of hits,
Bowman acknowledged.
So, hate that for the Ally 48 team, obviously, Ally’s from here. Yeah, it looks like, I don’t know, the 41 got loose or the 2 got into him or something. Then, yeah, at that point you’re just along for the ride. Couldn’t really do anything except think about, ‘Oh, shit, this is about to hurt really bad.’ Yeah, hate that for our team, and it’s been a rough two months. So, just gotta keep digging.
Challenges of Racing in the Back of the Pack
Harvick’s remarks underscored the complexities and dangers inherent in competing near the back of the field, where chaotic multi-car battles often occur. The intensity increases dramatically when drivers are packed tightly, frequently four-wide, leaving little room for error and making it far easier to become involved in accidents, regardless of individual performance.
Harvick pointed out that this is not an issue unique to Bowman or his team but a broader trend for any driver who finds themselves in those positions. The dynamic nature of NASCAR racing means that the front-runners of one week can find themselves struggling in the back the next, exposing them to heightened risk and negatively affecting their chances of maintaining a strong season trajectory.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Bowman and NASCAR
Alex Bowman’s ongoing adversity in the 2025 season highlights the challenges faced by drivers trying to regain consistency amid fierce competition and unpredictable race conditions. As the season progresses, the No. 48 team will likely need to focus on strategic improvements to avoid these high-risk scenarios and enhance both performance and safety.
The incident at Michigan International Speedway serves as a harsh reminder of the fine line NASCAR drivers walk between aggressive racing and serious accidents. For Bowman, recovering from his latest setback and climbing up the point standings will be crucial if he hopes to secure a spot in the postseason and restore momentum to a difficult year.
