Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss the NASCAR Cup race in Las Vegas this upcoming weekend.[1] On March 1st, Bowman fell ill, and was diagnosed with vertigo.[2] He attempted to complete laps at the Ten Tenths Motor Club road course, but he has not been cleared to return full-time.[3]
Hendrick Motorsports President, Jeff Andrews stated they are “’encouraged by the progress he’s making, but [they] have to prioritize his health above all else.’”[4] At this time, there is no anticipated date for Bowman’s return.[5] Unfortunately, he will not be eligible to claim any points, and he will likely sit at least 85 points out of the playoff spot.[6]
According to the Cleveland Clinic, vertigo causes people to feel dizzy and off-balance.[7] Other symptoms may include motion sickness, nausea and vomiting, tinnitus, headaches, and nystagmus.[8] Vertigo can cause falls or other injuries, and can interfere with a person’s quality of life.[9] It is especially important for Bowman to be monitored and treated because of his racing career.
Bowman has been a full-time driver since 2018.[10] In 2021, he moved to the No. 48 car and has remained there since.[11] Bowman is currently in his final year of his contract with Hendrick Motorsports.[12] In 2026, he finished second-to-last in the Daytona 500 race.[13] It is uncertain if Bowman will return full-time, but hopefully medical providers can help treat his vertigo symptoms, so he can get back to his passion – racing.
[1] Associated Press, Vertigo sidelines Alex Bowman for NASCAR Cup race at Las Vegas, ESPN (Mar. 11, 2026) https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/48173734/vertigo-sidelines-alex-bowman-nascar-cup-race-las-vegas.
[2] David Suggs, Alex Bowman vertigo diagnosis, explained: Why Hendrick Motorsports star will miss NASCAR race at Las Vegas, Yahoo Sports (Mar. 11, 2026) https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/alex-bowman-vertigo-diagnosis-explained-221136718.html.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Cleveland Clinic, Vertigo, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21769-vertigo (last visited Mar. 12, 2026).
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Suggs, supra note 2.
[11] Id.
[12] Id.
[13] Id.
Featured Image: WBTV Web Staff, Morning 3: Star NASCAR driver to miss race after health diagnosis – and other news, WBTV (Mar. 6, 2026) https://www.wbtv.com/2026/03/06/morning-3-star-nascar-driver-miss-race-after-health-diagnosis-other-news/.
Ann Marie E. Marseglia is a third-year law student at the University at Buffalo School of Law. She is pursuing a concentration in sports law and has an interest in Title IX matters. Ann Marie is a Student Attorney for the Sports Law Clinic, focusing on issues among girls and women in sports. She is also a Submissions Editor for the Buffalo Environmental Law Journal, Vice President for the Italian-American Law Students Association, and a Member of the Phi Alpha Delta Alden Chapter.
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