Bowman to retire after 2027 Cup season with Hendrick

Alex Bowman has signed a one-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports for the 2027 season, but will retire at its conclusion.

“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. “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. To say I’m incredibly grateful to Mr. Hendrick, our partners at Ally and Chevrolet, and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports would be an understatement. They believed in me and gave me the biggest opportunity of my life.

“My focus now is on making the most of my time on the racetrack and competing for wins. We still have a lot to accomplish, and I want to close my career on a high note for our team and our fans. To have the chance to do that with this organization and these people is really special.”

Bowman was a Chevrolet simulator driver before getting his opportunity with Hendrick Motorsports. He joined the organization in 2016 as the substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr., and then inherited the ride when Earnhardt retired.

He will run his 10th season with the organization next year. To date, Bowman has won eight races for Hendrick Motorsports.

“Alex has meant so much to our organization for a long time,” said team owner Rick Hendrick. “He’s overcome adversity, won big races and represented our team and partners with professionalism, personality and class. Alex is a tremendous talent in the race car and an even better person outside of it.

“We’re proud he’ll have the opportunity to finish his full-time career with us on his terms. He’s family.”

The 33-year-old Arizona native has fought multiple injuries over the last few years. Bowman was sidelined for four races earlier this season due to a vertigo diagnosis, and he missed three races in 2023 due to a broken back suffered in a dirt race. In 2022, a concussion from the Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway sidelined him for five weeks.

Bowman is 29th in the championship standings going into Indianapolis Motor Speedway with his Ally Chevrolet. He has been winless since Chicago in 2024.

Ally has been Bowman’s sponsor since 2021. The company became his partner after Jimmie Johnson’s retirement.

“Ever since Alex became part of the Ally family, it was clear he was someone special – not just behind the wheel, but in the way he represents everything ally stands for,” said Ally chief marketing and PR officer Andrea Brimmer. “We’ve been with him through the wins, the challenges and the moments that define a career, and we couldn’t be prouder of the legacy we’ve built together.

“The No. 48 Ally Chevrolet means something to our employees, our customers and our fans, and knowing we get one final season with Alex to compete for wins in 2027 makes it all the more meaningful. He will be deeply missed on the track, and we couldn’t be more supportive of him as he looks ahead to the next chapter of his life.”

Bowman will hit the 400th career start mark in 2027.