Alex Bowman reflects on painful Michigan crash after experiencing what he calls the most agonizing wreck of his racing career at Michigan International Speedway last week. The incident occurred during the FireKeepers Casino 400, where Bowman’s collision led to an early exit from the race and left a lasting impact on the driver.
Bowman’s crash unfolded on lap 67 when Cole Custer’s car made contact with Bowman’s #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, sending him head-first into the wall. This crash marked Bowman’s third Did Not Finish (DNF) of the NASCAR season. He was treated at the infield care center but was later released, while the team prepared backup driver Anthony Alfredo to be ready if needed for the upcoming race in Mexico City.
Details on Bowman’s Injury and His Perspective on the Impact
The 32-year-old driver described the severity of the crash in detail, explaining the extreme forces involved. He revealed that the g-forces were extremely high, with roughly 50 Gs front-to-back and an additional 40 Gs vertically when the car settled.
“It was like 50(G) something, front and back, and then another 40, vertical, when it sat down, so it was a lot. I don’t know. I crash a lot of stuff without G meters on it.” —Alex Bowman
Bowman compared this incident to a previous injury involving a broken back from a sprint car crash two years ago, emphasizing the unexpected pain this recent wreck caused.
“I don’t know if that’s, on paper, the biggest one I’ve taken, but it’s the most painful one I’ve taken for sure… even compared to when I broke my back. It’s way more painful than that was.” —Alex Bowman
Despite the intensity of the crash, Bowman expressed cautious optimism regarding his recovery and readiness to return.
“I’m pretty sure I’m going to be fine, unless something happens. I’ve been fine really since Thursday […] I was fine Tuesday, and Wednesday, I wasn’t super fine… thankful to Anthony (Alfredo) to stick around and hang out, help us out if needed. But hopefully, it’s not needed.” —Alex Bowman
Race Outcome and Bowman’s Upcoming Return
While Bowman’s race ended prematurely, Denny Hamlin secured victory at Michigan after gaining the lead late in the event. Chris Buescher finished just behind Hamlin in second place, followed by Ty Gibbs, Bubba Wallace, and Kyle Larson, Bowman’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports.
Following his recovery, Bowman is scheduled to compete in the Viva Mexico 250 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. This race, notable as the first points-paying NASCAR event outside the United States in over sixty years, will air live on Amazon Prime on June 15.
Reflections on a Difficult Season So Far
After the Michigan crash, Bowman shared candid thoughts on his ongoing struggles during the 2025 NASCAR season. He described the recent stretch as particularly challenging, with multiple finishes outside the top 25 undermining his campaign’s progress.
“Hate it for our #48 Ally Chevrolet team and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. We just have to keep digging. It’s been a really bad two months for us, but we just have to keep working hard.” —Alex Bowman
Through 15 races this season, Bowman has secured two pole positions, two top-five finishes, and seven top-10 finishes. His last victory occurred in 2024 on the Chicago street circuit. Currently, Bowman stands 13th in the points rankings, trailing behind Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott, who are all within the top five.
As Bowman recovers, his focus remains on improving results and supporting his team, aiming to close the gap with his leading Hendrick Motorsports teammates and regain momentum in the remainder of the NASCAR season.
