October 28, 2022 | By Lee Spencer

Alex Bowman cleared to return to action at Phoenix

MARTINSVILLE, Va.—Alex Bowman will have quite the homecoming next weekend at Phoenix Raceway—when he returns behind the wheel of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.

The 29-year-old Tucson native has been sidelined since Sept. 25 when he suffered a concussion after backing into a wall at Texas Motor Speedway.

On Thursday, Bowman was cleared following an evaluation by Dr. Michael “Micky” Collins, clinical director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program.

Bowman tweeted, “See you in Phoenix!” He added in a video, “Really excited to tell you that I’m coming back for the last race at Phoenix. Greg (Ives, crew chief) and I started something there in 2016 that we never got to finish. Hopefully, we can get the job done. To have one final race with Greg is going to be really special. But thank you to Ally, Hendrick Motorsports, all the doctors that have helped me. It’s been a long road and a lot of work but excited to be back to 100 percent and be able to get back in a race car.

“Hope to see you guys out there. We’re going to finish the season strong and hopefully get one last win for Greg.”

Ives was promoted to crew chief of the No. 88 Hendrick Chevrolet in 2015. The following year, he worked with Bowman when the driver filled in for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who elected to sit out due to a head injury. Ives announced in August that he was stepping out of his current role as crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet.

Bowman is in his sixth season with Hendrick Mototrsports. He scored his seventh career Cup win this spring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  He had advanced to the 2022 Playoffs and completed the first race in the Round of 12 when the accident occurred.

“We’re thrilled Alex is 100 percent and will have the opportunity to race at his home track,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “Throughout this process, he’s been incredibly diligent about following the advice of his doctors and prioritizing his health.

“All of us look forward to welcoming Alex back and seeing him finish 2022 with his No. 48 teammates.”

Noah Gragson will continue to sub for Bowman this weekend at Martinsville Speedway. In his four previous starts in the No. 48 Chevy, his best result was 11th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 16.

“Due to the timing (of the medical clearance), everyone agreed it was best to stick with our plan for Martinsville and allow the team to fully prepare for Alex’s return next weekend,” Andrews said. “On behalf of everyone at Hendrick Motorsports, we’re grateful to Noah for stepping in and doing a terrific job under difficult circumstances. He’s a big talent and has been a complete professional.”