Alex Bowman’s week couldn’t have been worse, going from playoff contender to watching his NASCAR championship dreams unravel in spectacular fashion. Just two weeks ago, Bowman was celebrating alongside his Hendrick Motorsports teammates, believing they had secured four of the eight semifinal spots. Then came the crushing blow: Bowman’s car failed to meet weight guidelines, disqualifying him and eliminating him from the playoffs—a discovery he made while scrolling through social media at home.
In a fit of frustration, Bowman hurled his phone into his pool, triggering an emergency response, as his settings flagged the action as a potential danger. The 20-point penalty knocked Bowman out of the playoffs, with the final spot going to Joey Logano, who thought he was out—until Bowman’s misfortune gave him a second chance.
Adding to the nightmare, Bowman dealt with a broken car window and a leaking roof, all while defending his spot with Hendrick Motorsports and his sponsor, Ally. Despite a respectable fifth-place finish at Las Vegas, Bowman could only watch as Logano won the race and became the first driver to advance to the championship race at Phoenix Raceway—a crushing twist of fate for the Arizona native, who had been hoping to make his mark at his home track.
As Logano celebrates his chance at a third Cup title, Bowman faces a bitter end to his season. “Some things in life, you don’t get over,” he said, reflecting on his disqualification. For Bowman, this week will be one he won’t forget any time soon.
