Hendrick Motorsports has made a strategic change within its pit crew ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race this Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, involving a William Byron tire changer switch. Daniel Bach, formerly part of Alex Bowman’s crew, will now serve as the front tire changer for Byron’s No. 24 car, while Jeff Cordero, Byron’s previous tire changer, moves to Carson Hocevar’s team at Spire Motorsports.
This adjustment follows Alex Bowman’s failure to advance to the Round of 12 in the 2025 NASCAR playoffs. Bowman’s front tire changer will now be Donnie Tasser, signaling a clear reorganization within HMS as the playoff battles intensify.
Details on the Crew Change Impacting Byron and Bowman
The crew change was first reported by Bob Pockrass on X, highlighting Daniel Bach’s switch from Bowman’s car to the front tire changer role on William Byron’s vehicle for the upcoming race at Loudon. Jeff Cordero, who previously filled that position for Byron, has moved to Hocevar’s No. 77 team. This shuffle comes as HMS looks to sharpen its competitive edge in the playoffs.
“Daniel Bach, who was the front tire changer on Alex Bowman car last week and Carson Hocevar before that, is listed as the front changer for William Byron for Loudon … Jeff Cordero, who was front changer on Byron, now on Hocevar.”
– Bob Pockrass, NASCAR Journalist
Despite his early playoff exit, Bowman remains a strong contender, sitting 13th in the driver standings after 29 races this season. The Tucson, Arizona native has secured six top-five finishes, 15 top-10s, and accumulated 2,056 points. Most recently, Bowman finished eighth at Bristol Motor Speedway, marking his 15th top-10 appearance this year.
The shift in crew roles appears aimed at maximizing team performance as the season reaches its decisive stages, with HMS focusing on refining its pit operations across key drivers.
Examining Bowman’s Position and Team Dynamics at Hendrick Motorsports
Alex Bowman’s last race victory came over a year ago, on July 8, 2024. Since then, he has been enduring a 45-race stretch without a win and has relied heavily on point standings to maintain his playoff eligibility. His status as the only HMS driver eliminated in the opening playoff round has fueled ongoing debate regarding his future with the Chevrolet team.
Former NASCAR driver Kyle Petty recently shared his perspective on Bowman’s situation, emphasizing the importance of team consensus and sponsor support in the decision-making process.
“We have a voice, we have an opinion, but it’s not our decision,”
– Kyle Petty, Former NASCAR Driver
“The sponsor likes him, Rick likes him, the team likes him, he adds something to the combination and he helps the whole group move forward.”
– Kyle Petty, Former NASCAR Driver
“So let’s give him another shot. Let’s give him another shot next year and then come back and talk to me. But for right now, I defer to my man Rick Hendrick,”
– Kyle Petty, Former NASCAR Driver
Petty’s comments suggest Bowman’s continuation with HMS depends heavily on leadership decisions led by Rick Hendrick and the broader team chemistry, underlining the complexity behind roster choices in high-stakes motorsport environments.
Upcoming Expectations for Bowman and Byron at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
This Sunday’s race at the Mobil 1 301, held on the 1.058-mile oval track at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, presents an important opportunity for both Bowman and Byron. Scheduled for September 21, the 301-lap event will be broadcast live on USA Network starting at 2 pm ET, with additional radio coverage available on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
For Bowman, the race represents a chance to break his winless streak of the season and reassert himself in the playoff standings. Meanwhile, Byron’s team will adjust to the new front tire changer dynamic, hoping to capitalize on the change to improve their pit stop efficiency and race outcomes.
As Hendrick Motorsports continues to refine its driver and crew lineup amid intense competition, the upcoming races will prove pivotal for the team’s championship aspirations. The William Byron tire changer switch marks a strategic move aimed at optimizing performance during NASCAR’s critical playoff phase.
Daniel Bach, who was the front tire changer on Alex Bowman car last week and Carson Hocevar before that, is listed as the front changer for William Byron for Loudon … Jeff Cordero, who was front changer on Byron, now on Hocevar. https://t.co/Y3NOv74hK4
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 17, 2025
