Bowman Fights Pain and Strategy to Secure Gritty Top Five in Mexico City

Alex Bowman delivered a determined run at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, claiming a top-five result during the Viva Mexico 250 on June 15. Starting 29th out of 37 drivers, Bowman fought through visible back pain, stemming from a crash at Michigan International Speedway just weeks earlier.

Despite the discomfort that persisted throughout the 100-lap race, Bowman managed to pilot the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to his first top-five finish since Kansas, more than a month before.

During the race, Bowman and his crew faced both strategic and physical challenges. Crew chief Blake Harris called for an important pit stop on Lap 62, putting Bowman on slick tires earlier than several competitors.

Weather conditions made track decisions tricky, but when a caution flag appeared just one and a half laps after their stop, the timing proved ideal. With that well-timed move, the 48 team secured the fuel range required and leapt into a stronger track position as the field regrouped.

Bowman’s pace was consistent in the closing laps, although winner Shane van Gisbergen managed to build a gap of two seconds shortly after the final restart. Bowman withstood battles from Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott, choosing not to force unnecessary risks as his tire wear intensified.

His focus shifted to maintaining position instead of aggressive pursuits, especially after burning up the rear tires and finding his car difficult under brakes. For 16 final laps, Bowman balanced keeping his teammate Elliott ahead for a possible better result for Hendrick Motorsports while defending from those behind.

This finish marked an important moment for Bowman and his team after a recent string of results outside the top 25. In the five weeks leading up to Mexico City, the No. 48 had finished 29th or worse three times, frustrated by incidents and reliability issues that were often out of their control.

Bowman pointed to his team’s continued support through these setbacks, saying it felt rewarding to finally deliver a strong showing following two months of struggles.

Looking ahead, Bowman returns to Pocono Raceway, where he has one win and five top-10 finishes in previous starts. He expressed optimism about both the upcoming oval race and the road courses that follow, especially as the 48 team seems to excel on more technical circuits.

Bowman’s Chicago Street Race win last year remains fresh, keeping his confidence high for July.

Chase Elliott, also from the Hendrick camp, finished on the podium and currently sits in the top five of the season-long points standings. His consistent form adds another layer of momentum for the organization as the NASCAR Cup Series heads further into the summer stretch.

After the challenging run in Mexico City, Bowman’s result has injected new hope for the 48 team’s playoff chances. As the series moves on to Pocono and beyond, Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports aim to build on the hard-earned momentum from Mexico and continue climbing up the leaderboard.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.