Alex Bowman and his team at Hendrick Motorsports are undertaking a significant pit crew reshuffle ahead of the third race in the 2025 NASCAR playoffs at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 13. The Alex Bowman pit crew reshuffle comes as a direct response to disappointing performances during the first two playoff events, where costly errors severely impacted race outcomes.
To strengthen the No. 48 team’s chances, Hendrick Motorsports has introduced new members to Bowman’s pit crew, including tire changers Daniel Bach and Rod Cox, tire carrier Jarius Morehead, and jackman Cody French. Despite the overhaul, Jacob Conley will continue as the fueler for the team during the Bristol race. This reconfiguration aims to improve pit stop efficiency and bolster Bowman’s competitiveness in what has become a must-win scenario.
Past Pit Crew Errors Undermine Bowman’s Playoff Prospects
Bowman’s previous pit crew made critical errors, contributing to disappointing finishes in NASCAR’s playoff races. A notable example was a 40-second pit stop at Darlington, caused by a misplaced air hose, while a 24-second stop delay at Gateway occurred due to a misfitted left rear tire. Both mistakes drastically delayed Bowman’s progress despite his vehicle’s strong performance on the track.
As a result of these setbacks, Bowman currently sits 35 points behind the playoff cutoff mark. With the pressure mounting, Hendrick Motorsports leadership, including veteran Chad Knaus, took decisive action to revamp the pit crew and give Bowman a better shot at advancing further in the championship playoffs.
Insights from Chad Knaus on the Decision to Reshuffle the Crew
Chad Knaus, Vice President of Competition at Hendrick Motorsports, explained the thought process behind the team’s changes during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. He described the conversations as difficult but necessary for a fresh start:
“After what’s happened the last couple weeks. We’ve we sat back We we made we had some tough decisions Sunday night There are tough conversations Sunday night, and then Monday morning. We got together put our heads together with the pit staff Evan cracks and Jacob Claiborne and Blake and I and you know Mr. Andrews. Gordon and Mr. Hendrick all you know have a Part in some role.” —Chad Knaus, Hendrick Motorsports Vice President of Competition
“You know this as well And we just decided it was you know we need to go into Bristol with with a little bit of fresh And and that’s what we need to do so so we made the call You know the the 48 pit crew is amazing there When they’re fast and they’re clicking they’re one of the best on pit road So I do feel that and we told the guys and we feel you know hardly mean it,” he added. —Chad Knaus, Hendrick Motorsports Vice President of Competition
Knaus emphasized the high potential of the restructured pit crew and praised the team’s capability when operating at their best, highlighting the importance of a strong performance at Bristol for the playoff run.
“Regulars on the 48 an opportunity to Go out there and show that their strength and what they’re capable of doing and you know that 77 cars more than capable of winning that race as well, so It’s it’s a good reset for everybody.” —Chad Knaus, Hendrick Motorsports Vice President of Competition
Bowman Reflects on Frustrations After Lackluster Gateway Performance
Adding to the team’s motivation for change, Alex Bowman expressed disappointment following his finish at the Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway. Starting at 25th and finishing 26th, Bowman regarded the race as a significant setback that stemmed largely from poor team execution rather than the car’s capabilities.
“It was just really poor execution on all angles today. It was a bummer. I thought our No. 48 Ally Chevrolet was OK once we were kind of towards the front-half. We just struggled in the back. Super frustrating, but all we can do is keep digging. There’s a lot of people working really hard to continue to be better. I thought, race car-wise, we were heading in the right direction once we had some air on it. We just have to go to Bristol and go to work.” —Alex Bowman, NASCAR driver
Bowman acknowledged the car’s potential once it moved toward the front of the field but stressed that missteps from the pit crew and on-track challenges held the team back. This candid reflection underscores the team’s resolve to improve performance moving forward.
Current Season Performance and Stakes for Bristol Playoff Race
Throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Alex Bowman has demonstrated consistent results but has yet to claim a victory. His achievements include securing two pole positions at Homestead-Miami and Bristol, in addition to six top-five finishes and 14 top-ten placements. Despite these accomplishments, the playoff pressure is escalating as Bowman fights to surpass the cutoff points threshold.
With the Bristol Motor Speedway race representing a pivotal moment, the freshly organized pit crew will play a crucial role in determining Bowman’s chances of playoff survival. Success here could revitalize his postseason campaign and provide momentum going into the remaining championship races.
