Fox Sports commentator Mike Joy has publicly apologized to NASCAR driver Alex Bowman following an incorrect statement about Bowman’s vertigo during the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) race earlier this month. Joy had told viewers that Bowman withdrew from the race because of vertigo, but Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) clarified that vertigo was not the reason behind his exit.
Bowman left the race during Stage 3 on March 1, and Myatt Snider took over as relief driver, completing the final 34 laps. The No. 48 Chevrolet ultimately finished in 36th place. The team later confirmed that Bowman’s vertigo symptoms developed after the race, distinguishing it from his previous concussion issues.
Mike Joy Issues Public Apology for On-Air Mistake
After fans noticed the discrepancy between Joy’s comment and HMS’s statement, Joy acknowledged the error on his social media platform X. He promised to correct the information during an upcoming broadcast while wishing Bowman a swift recovery.
“I misspoke Sunday about [Alex Bowman]’s vertigo, which he experienced during the COTA race. Apologies to Alex; I’ll correct and update on Sunday’s telecast. Hope he’s recovered and back on track soon,” Mike Joy wrote.
Hendrick Motorsports Details Bowman’s Vertigo and Plans for Substitute Driver
Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews provided insight into Bowman’s vertigo diagnosis, emphasizing that it is unrelated to concussions and is not expected to cause long-term effects. Andrews reassured fans that the team remains committed to supporting Bowman throughout his recovery.
“It really has kind of come out of nowhere, so to speak.”
“He’s undergone several rounds of testing to pinpoint exactly what it is. So the good news is it’s absolutely nothing concussion-related, anything like that, that should have a long-term effect. We’ll support him however long this takes, and that seat will be ready for him when he’s ready to get back in that car,” Andrews said.
With Bowman sidelined, Anthony Alfredo has been named as the substitute driver for the No. 48 Chevrolet at the upcoming Phoenix Raceway event. Alfredo’s recent race ended outside the top 20 after involvement in a late crash while running seventh.
Alex Bowman’s Racing History and Upcoming Schedule
Previously, Bowman missed multiple races in 2022 due to a concussion sustained in a crash at Texas Motor Speedway. Bowman’s experience includes substituting for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2016 after Earnhardt Jr. suffered a concussion. His current vertigo symptoms introduce new challenges as he begins the 2026 NASCAR Cup season.
Bowman’s performance has been difficult to predict lately, with a disappointing finish in the Daytona 500 and a mid-pack result in Atlanta. Ahead lies the Las Vegas Motor Speedway race scheduled for March 15, marking the fifth event of the season and a potential opportunity for Bowman’s return to competitive driving.
Outlook on Bowman’s Recovery and NASCAR Participation
Bowman’s vertigo diagnosis, although sudden, does not appear to threaten a long-term absence from racing according to Hendrick Motorsports. The team’s supportive stance suggests Bowman will rejoin the NASCAR Cup Series whenever he is able. Monitoring his condition closely, HMS and NASCAR fans alike await updates as the season progresses.
I misspoke Sunday about @Alex_Bowman's vertigo, which he experienced during the COTA race.
Apologies to Alex; I'll correct and update on Sunday's telecast. Hope he's recovered and back on track soon.— Mike Joy (@mikejoy500) March 10, 2026
https://twitter.com/SiriusXMNASCAR/status/2029967961977508275
