Hendrick Motorsports Alex Bowman to retire after 2027
Alex Bowman will race one more full season for Hendrick Motorsports in 2027, then retire from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition. The No. 48 driver signed a one-year extension Thursday as he and the team outlined plans for him to end his full-time career on his terms after battling recent injuries.
Key Takeaways
- Bowman will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports through 2027, then retire from full-time Cup racing.
- He and HMS announced a one-year contract extension with the retirement plan on Thursday.
- The 33-year-old has eight Cup wins in 378 starts and seven playoff appearances.
- Recent absences include vertigo this year, a broken back in 2023, and a concussion in 2022.
- He currently sits 29th in the standings and is not in Chase contention.
When will Alex Bowman retire from full-time racing?
Bowman will remain a full-time Cup Series driver for Hendrick Motorsports in 2027 before retiring from full-time competition after that season. The announcement was made Thursday night alongside his one-year contract extension.
Per FOX Sports, he will close that final campaign in the No. 48 car. Race-weekend viewers can track related coverage updates in our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Why did Bowman decide to step away after 2027?
Bowman said he has spent significant time weighing what comes next and that the timing feels right. He pointed to the physical demands of the sport and the need to listen to his body.
“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what’s next, and this feels like the right decision at the right time,” Bowman said in a news release. “The sport asks a lot of you, and I’ve learned it’s important to listen to your body and make the right choices for yourself.”
Injury setbacks have repeatedly interrupted recent seasons. He missed five races in 2022 with a concussion, three in 2023 after breaking his back in a sprint-car accident, and four races this year because of vertigo.
What has Bowman accomplished with Hendrick Motorsports?
Bowman made his Cup debut in the 2014 Daytona 500 and has been with Hendrick Motorsports since 2016, first as a simulator driver and later as a substitute for Dale Earnhardt Jr. He took over full time after Earnhardt Jr. retired following the 2017 season.
Across 378 Cup starts he has eight wins, with a career-best championship finish of sixth in 2020. He thanked Rick Hendrick, Ally, Chevrolet, and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports for the opportunity.
“Alex has meant so much to our organization for a long time,” team owner Rick Hendrick said. “We’re proud he’ll have the opportunity to finish his full-time career with us on his terms. He’s family.”
Bowman said his focus now is competing for wins and closing his career on a high note for the team and fans.