Here’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting:
- Alex Bowman has been dealing with vertigo symptoms that sidelined him for multiple races in early 2026. He was not medically cleared to return at that time, with replacements including Anthony Alfredo and Justin Allgaier filling in for Hendrick Motorsports.[1][2][3]
- On April 9, 2026, Bowman was announced as medically cleared to return to racing, with a plan to resume competition at Bristol Motor Speedway.[2]
- Coverage throughout May 2026 indicates Bowman’s status was updated ahead of the Bristol weekend, and FOX Sports summarized that he had missed several races due to vertigo but was slated to return to the No. 48 car around that time.[3]
If you’d like, I can compile a concise timeline with dates and race-by-race updates, or pull the latest official team statements for the most current status. I can also add a short glossary of the vertigo-related health updates and how teams manage driver health vs. schedule.
Citations:
- Bowman vertigo and missed races, replacement drivers.[1]
- Bowman medically cleared and return plan.[2]
- May 2026 coverage and return update.[3]