Hendrick Motorsports veteran Alex Bowman has had his share of struggles over the past few years, and now he’s pulling back the curtain on how devastating injuries derailed his momentum in both 2022 and 2023. After enduring a crash-induced early exit in 2022 and battling a back injury in 2023, Bowman faced an uphill climb in the 2024 NASCAR season. But despite the setbacks, Bowman believes his team is on the verge of a breakthrough.
“Injuries Shook My Confidence, But Not My Resolve”
In a candid interview with RACER, Bowman reflected on how back-to-back injuries not only took a physical toll but also tested his mental toughness. While he didn’t entirely lose faith in his abilities, he admitted there were moments of doubt and frustration.
“I don’t know if I questioned myself, but definitely after two back-to-back bigger injuries, it’s easy to get in that spot,” Bowman confessed. “It wasn’t much fun, especially because we were so good before I broke my back. After coming back, we were good for like two weeks and then terrible the rest of the season. It was crazy how bad we were at places that I’m typically really good at.”
The lingering effects of his injuries cast a shadow over his 2024 campaign, but Bowman remained determined to regain his form.
“Turning Frustration into Fuel”
The 2024 season presented its own set of challenges, with a rocky start and a mid-season disqualification that threatened to derail Bowman’s momentum. However, the No. 48 team found a way to turn things around, delivering a consistent performance in the latter half of the year.
“So that was really frustrating,” Bowman admitted. “This year, we didn’t start the year (well), but we turned it around pretty quickly. I think we’ve done a lot of the right things, and being on the other side of it definitely feels good.”
Bowman and his team also used the R-12 disqualification as motivation, refusing to let it define their season. Instead, they remained focused and committed to operating at a high level.
“It certainly was disappointing and (it’s) part of racing, sometimes. That stuff is going to happen, and unfortunately, we let it happen. But I don’t think it deflated our race team. It didn’t really change much of what we were doing; I think we continued to operate at a high level,” he explained.
“A Make-or-Break 2025 Awaits”
As Bowman gears up for the 2025 NASCAR season, the confidence within the No. 48 camp is palpable. With the pressure mounting to secure his place at Hendrick Motorsports, Bowman sees the upcoming season as an opportunity to silence the doubters and reaffirm his place among NASCAR’s elite.
Bowman’s resilience and determination to overcome adversity will be put to the test, but if his ability to bounce back from setbacks is any indication, the 2025 season could mark a resurgence for the HMS veteran.
