During the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday, Alex Bowman was caught off guard when his longtime spotter, Kevin Hamlin, pulled a prank that convinced him they had to start at the back of the field. This unexpected trick occurred moments before the race began, leaving Bowman momentarily distressed and even confusing NBC broadcasters who reported the false information to viewers.
Bowman had earned a solid ninth-place qualifying spot for the 400-lap race, but his start was delayed briefly when NASCAR officials requested an inspection of his No. 48 Chevy. The delay was due to an issue with the passenger side window, which needed to be fixed before the car could clear pre-race inspection and take its place on the grid.
Delay Sparks Spotter’s Fake Penalty Announcement
NASCAR reporter Colin Ward provided details about the interruption on his X account, describing how Bowman’s car was moved back into the garage area with officials surrounding it, while a crew member ran swiftly to the hauler. Hamlin seized this moment to trick Bowman, impersonating a penalty call that they would have to start from the rear of the field.
The prank unfolded over the radio, as relayed by The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck in an X post:
“Bowman spotter Kevin Hamlin: ‘We’ve got to go to the back for delaying the start.’” —Jeff Gluck, Journalist
Bowman responded with disbelief:
“Are you kidding me?” —Alex Bowman, Driver
Hamlin then revealed the ruse:
“Yeah, I’m f*cking with you. All good.” —Kevin Hamlin, Spotter
Though Bowman was relieved the call was fake, NBC broadcasters misunderstood the joke and announced to their audience that Bowman would start at the rear. In reality, Bowman lined up in his earned fifth-row position as per the original qualifying results.
Race Importance Mounts for Bowman Amid Playoff Battle
This event marked Bowman’s second straight top-10 qualifying effort, an important factor as he battles to secure a spot in the NASCAR playoffs. Currently driving for Hendrick Motorsports, Bowman holds a 60-point lead over the playoff cutline, while close competitor Chris Buescher trails behind by a 26-point deficit.
The stakes highlight the pressure Bowman faces as the season intensifies, where every race and point matters in his quest to advance.
Alex Bowman Reflects on Painful Moments From This Season
In an interview with Jeff Gluck, Bowman opened up about the toughest experience he has endured in 2024 behind the wheel. He pointed to the race at Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as especially difficult, revealing the physical toll following a previous crash.
“Mexico was super painful. My back was killing me (from the Michigan wreck a week earlier). If we weren’t running well, I probably don’t finish that race. So that was a rough one. We’ve had our share of bad days where we’ve just not run how we wanted to, but just from a pain perspective, that one was rough to get through,” said Bowman.
Prior to the Mexico race, Bowman was involved in a serious multi-car accident at Michigan International Speedway, which sent him forcefully into the outer SAFER barriers. This incident was his third Did Not Finish (DNF) of the season, yet he recovered to finish fourth in Mexico despite starting 29th on the grid.
Although still seeking his first victory of the year and positioned ninth among his Hendrick Motorsports teammates, Bowman’s resilience through injury and setbacks underscores the challenges he continues to face in a highly competitive field.
