The NASCAR Cup Series race last Sunday at Bristol proved disastrous for Hendrick Motorsports and Alex Bowman, highlighting ongoing struggles for the team as the NASCAR playoffs advance. Despite entering Round 16 with three Hendrick drivers ranked in the top five, the Chevrolet powerhouse failed to make a significant impact. Most notably, the No. 48 car driven by Bowman was eliminated following poor performance and costly errors during the race weekend.
Kevin Harvick, 2014 Cup Series champion, addressed these issues on his Happy Hour podcast, focusing on Bowman’s costly mistakes and broader problems within Hendrick Motorsports. Harvick described how a series of execution errors and organizational shortcomings prevented the team from leveraging their speed and talent throughout the playoff races.
Kevin Harvick Highlights Hendrick Motorsports’ Playoff Difficulties
Harvick pointed out that Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) has encountered persistent problems during Round 16, contrasting sharply with their strong regular-season form when William Byron secured the championship. The team’s lack of speed and consistency was evident across races, with only a slight improvement noted at St. Louis.
“They haven’t had the speed in the opening round like we expected. I think when you look at the Hendrick cars right now, they just haven’t fired off with any speed anywhere we’ve been. I think there was a little bit of hope at St. Louis, at a track where they hadn’t run very well. But that was a tough first round.”
Kevin Harvick said.
This drop-off in performance was especially disappointing given the high standards Hendrick Motorsports typically maintains. Harvick expressed frustration over the inability of top drivers to compete at the expected level, emphasizing in particular the struggles of Kyle Larson.
“That was not what we expected. Especially—I mean, I picked Kyle Larson to win the race and he was nowhere to be found all day. And when you’re nowhere to be found at Bristol with Kyle Larson, you’re off.”
Kevin Harvick added.
Internal Issues Behind Alex Bowman’s Playoff Setback
Harvick specifically criticized the No. 48 team for its poor showings on pit road, describing the performance as one of the worst the team has seen. According to Harvick, the failures stemmed largely from inadequate preparation and organizational errors rather than just bad luck or isolated mistakes during the race.
“But it was definitely an error in preparation and structural organization—organizational error in setting up what needed to be organized on the No. 48 pit box. Fundamental mistakes out of the No. 48 team. And it’s like we talk about all the time: don’t beat yourself. Don’t beat yourself. I think if you’re that group, you look at it and think, ‘Wow, we really just took ourselves out.’”
Kevin Harvick added.
These errors ultimately cost Bowman valuable time and points, contributing heavily to his early elimination from the playoffs. The mistakes appeared preventable, underscoring a lack of cohesive strategy and attention to detail by the HMS pit crew and support staff.
Broader Context of Hendrick Motorsports’ Playoff Challenges
The Bristol race was the latest in a series of events where Hendrick Motorsports’ efforts have fallen short. Despite their drivers’ proven capabilities, including Bowman’s talent and Kyle Larson’s previous successes, Hendrick’s playoff campaign has been undermined by recurring penalties, pit road mishaps, and organizational missteps.
“I think the (Hendrick) drivers have done a decent job, but they’ve even had some speeding penalties, some issues throughout the year that have taken away from weekends where they had speed. We saw the debacle on pit road with pit guns not being plugged in or whatever the final conclusion was.”
Kevin Harvick said via Happy Hour podcast.
Such systemic issues have sapped the team’s momentum at critical moments, further complicating their push toward the championship. Given the dominance of Toyota teams, particularly Joe Gibbs Racing winning all three recent playoff events, Hendrick’s struggles have been magnified.
The Road Ahead for Hendrick Motorsports and Alex Bowman
The gravity of these problems reflects the uphill battle Hendrick Motorsports faces as the NASCAR playoffs progress toward Round 12 and beyond. Despite current setbacks, HMS still possesses some of the best resources and driver talent on the circuit, suggesting a potential for recovery. However, the key question remains whether this turnaround can occur quickly enough to secure a spot in the Championship 4.
For Alex Bowman, the playoffs mistake identified by Harvick represents a pivotal moment. The early exit signals the need for sharper focus and error-free execution from the team if they hope to compete successfully in future postseason races.
As Hendrick Motorsports assesses its shortcomings, the Bristol experience serves as a cautionary tale emphasizing the crucial role of preparation, coordination, and discipline in playoff success. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see if Bowman and HMS can rebound and reclaim their standing among NASCAR’s elite before the season concludes.
