Bowman Secures Top-Three Finish in Mexico City Post-Crash Recovery
In a remarkable comeback, Alex Bowman finished third in the inaugural Cup Series race in Mexico City on Sunday, just a week after suffering a head-on crash that registered over 50Gs at Michigan International Speedway. The incident, which involved a collision with Cole Custer, left Bowman dealing with back pain and injury assessments throughout the week, prompting Hendrick Motorsports to place Anthony Alfredo on standby as a precautionary measure.
Despite the physical challenges, Bowman successfully completed all laps of the race, achieving his first top-10 finish in over a month. “Running well probably made it easier than it could have been. I’m proud of the whole Ally [No.] 48 team,” said Bowman. He acknowledged his struggles during the week, admitting he couldn’t walk on Wednesday, which hindered his preparation.
During the race, Bowman qualified 29th but skillfully navigated the 15-turn road course, remaining unscathed and competing strongly as the race progressed. After a crucial pit stop on lap 63, he restarted in the second row, initially claiming a runner-up position. However, he ultimately settled for third, behind race winner Shane van Gisbergen.
“This No. 48 Ally Chevrolet team deserves this run. We’ve had a lot of fast race cars but faced many challenges. Getting them a good finish after the week I had is great,” he stated.
Bowman’s finish is particularly notable considering his recent struggles; in the three preceding races, he finished 29th or worse. Historically, road courses have favored the No. 48 team, with Bowman also finishing ninth at Circuit of The Americas earlier this season. Looking ahead, Bowman expressed confidence in his team’s road course capabilities, anticipating further success at upcoming venues, including a return to Chicago, where he is the defending champion, and Pocono, where he previously contended for podium positions.
