With just five days remaining before the start of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) has made significant personnel changes to Alex Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet team. These adjustments come in response to a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw Bowman finish 13th in the standings and face an early playoff exit, marking the first elimination among HMS’s four drivers.
Throughout the 2025 season, Bowman’s No. 48 car failed to secure a win, contrasting with all his Hendrick teammates who reached Victory Lane. The team managed 16 top-10 finishes but recorded its lowest average finish since Bowman joined, underscoring the urgent need for a reset ahead of his contract year.
New Team Members Join No. 48 as HMS Attempts to Rebuild
NASCAR mechanic Bozi Tatarevic detailed updates to Bowman’s crew via X, highlighting the arrival of fresh faces in key roles:
“A lot of changes for the No. 48 of Alex Bowman: Nick Kerlin now becomes the Car Chief, replacing Josh Kirk. Engineer Jonas Bell joins the 48 from Kaulig. Alex Mueller replaces Carl Haag as Mechanic. TJ DiBlasi replaces Michael McAndrews as Interior Specialist.”
While crew chief Blake Harris and spotter Kevin Hamlin remain as the only members of last year’s leadership group, Nick Kerlin’s promotion to car chief brings familiarity to the revised team, given his prior experience at Hendrick and collaboration with Harris.
Jonas Bell, transferring from Kaulig Racing, assumes responsibility as the lead engineer, focusing on data analysis and fine-tuning setups. Alex Mueller will handle suspension, drivetrain tasks, and repairs between sessions, while TJ DiBlasi manages interior systems, cooling, and cockpit components for the 48 car.
Alex Bowman Expresses Hope and Acknowledges Need for Change
Bowman openly recognized the challenges of the previous season and welcomed the overhaul, indicating a readiness to move forward with the new team dynamics.
“There’s no secret last year was a big struggle for us, and we’ve made an immense amount of changes to try to be better for 2026,” Bowman said. “Everything from the top down, really, with the exception of me, Blake, and (spotter) Kevin (Hamlin), has been a change. So, all new faces on the team. Just trying to be better. So it’ll be interesting to get everybody working together and trying to jell, but I’m excited to get to the race track and get to work and get going on it.”
The comprehensive restructuring reflects Bowman’s commitment to reversing the team’s fortunes during a critical contract year, aiming to recapture the success he last tasted at the Chicago Street Course in 2024.
Adjustments Made Across Hendrick Motorsports’ Driver Lineups
While Bowman’s team undergoes the biggest changes, other HMS squads have also seen personnel shifts. On Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet, mechanic Thomas Heslink replaces Sean Kerlin. Heslink previously served as car chief on Bowman’s team, marking a notable reassignment within HMS. Despite this change, much of Elliott’s crew remains intact as he looks to defend his Bowman Gray Clash victory from the previous season.
Kyle Larson’s No. 5 team largely maintains its core staff. Engineer Nathan Woodby will continue his role at the upcoming Bowman Gray event, highlighting stability for the reigning Cup Series champion.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead for the New No. 48 Crew
With the Bowman Gray Clash scheduled less than a week away, the newly assembled No. 48 team faces a tight timeline to build chemistry and prepare for one of NASCAR’s most demanding short track events. Crew chief Blake Harris explained that staff changes resulted from a mix of personnel departures and internal opportunities to restructure during the offseason.
“We had a few guys that have moved on to other opportunities, some within the company,” Harris said in the same interview. “So that gave us the chance to restructure some over the winter. We’ve got a lot of good guys on board. So I’m looking forward to having those guys and a few new mechanics as well.”
As Bowman approaches the final year of his contract with Hendrick Motorsports, the pressure mounts to translate these changes into competitive results. The team’s ability to quickly gel and improve performance will be key to breaking the winless streak and restoring the No. 48 car’s prominence during the 2026 NASCAR season.
A lot of changes for the No. 48 of Alex Bowman:
-Nick Kerlin now becomes the Car Chief, replacing Josh Kirk.
-Engineer Jonas Bell joins the 48 from Kaulig.
-Alex Mueller replaces Carl Haag as Mechanic.
-TJ DiBlasi replaces Michael McAndrews as Interior Specialist. pic.twitter.com/Ozvvm8R8Nn— Bozi Tatarevic (@BoziTatarevic) January 27, 2026
