Story perspectives

Alex Bowman to Miss Three Races; Allgaier Steps In

3/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Alex Bowman, NASCAR Cup Series driver, will miss three Cup Series races due to vertigo symptoms, absent from Darlington, Martinsville, and Bristol, bringing his total to five, including Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Justin Allgaier will replace him in the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews expressed support for Bowman's recovery and confidence in Allgaier's abilities.
The Goodyear 400 at Darlington is scheduled for March 22.

History

Historical Context

Following the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500, NASCAR significantly revamped its safety protocols, mandating the use of the HANS device and implementing the SAFER barrier. These changes, alongside the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow in 2007, have since prioritized driver safety, with no fatalities occurring in the sport since Earnhardt's death, marking a pivotal shift in NASCAR's approach to racing safety.

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Story summary

Alex Bowman, NASCAR Cup Series driver, will miss three Cup Series races due to vertigo symptoms, absent from Darlington, Martinsville, and Bristol, bringing his total to five, including Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Justin Allgaier will replace him in the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
Hendrick Motorsports president Jeff Andrews expressed support for Bowman's recovery and confidence in Allgaier's abilities.
The Goodyear 400 at Darlington is scheduled for March 22.

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