Alex Bowman (Right)-Image Credit- IMAGO / Icon Sportswire Rick Hendrick (Left) - Image Credit- IMAGO / Icon Sportswire
Alex Bowman (Right)-Image Credit- IMAGO / Icon Sportswire Rick Hendrick (Left) - Image Credit- IMAGO / Icon Sportswire
Retirement from NASCAR often opens up new opportunities, with many former drivers transitioning into advisory or broadcasting roles. However, Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman, set to retire in 2027, isn’t convinced that he is cut out for broadcasting.
On Thursday, July 23, Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman and the team announced a one-year contract extension for 2027. He also confirmed it would be his last full-time NASCAR season, which has raised questions about Bowman’s plans for the future.
During his pre-race media availability ahead of the Brickyard 400, he was asked by NASCAR reporter Deb Williams whether he had considered a broadcasting career after his retirement.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 11: Alex Bowman 48 Hendrick Motorsports Ally Chevrolet is being interviewed during Media Day for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 11, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 11 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Media Day EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602113593500
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 11: Alex Bowman 48 Hendrick Motorsports Ally Chevrolet is being interviewed during Media Day for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 11, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 11 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Media Day EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602113593500
"I don't know that anybody wants to listen to me on the broadcast, if I'm being honest. I don't know," Bowman said, answering the question. (via Cup Scene on YouTube) "I don't know that I would be any good at that. Like, that looks really hard. The broadcasting thing, I would say some dumb stuff and probably get fired pretty quickly. I can't believe that hasn't happened to me in my driving career. But, yeah, I don't know."
Although Bowman downplayed the possibility of moving into the broadcasting booth, he made it clear that he hasn’t completely closed the door on the idea. He suggested he is more likely to remain with Hendrick Motorsports in a different role.
"Maybe I plan to stay at Hendrick Motorsports, probably on the performance side, and do some stuff there, some other cars that I want to go race and drive and drive some really fun stuff. But yeah, I hadn't really thought about broadcasting, and broadcasting probably hadn't really thought about me, but I'm not saying never I just don't know," Bowman added.
Should Alex Bowman decide to stay with Hendrick Motorsports in a performance-focused role, he will continue the trend of former drivers staying involved with the organization after retiring from racing.
Will Alex Bowman follow in the footsteps of a former NASCAR champion
Ten years ago, the four-time Cup Series Champion Jeff Gordon announced his retirement from full-time competition. He later joined FOX’s broadcasting booth. However, in 2021, he came back to Hendrick Motorsports but in an executive role at the team.
According to AP News, Gordon has been an equity owner at HMS since 1999. He became the co-owner of the No. 48 car in 2001 and now officially holds the title of vice-chairman. Before holding all the executive titles at the team, he served as the team's driver.
The four-time NASCAR champion joined the team in the final race in 1992 and went on to race for the team till his retirement in 2015. A similar trajectory could be seen with the outgoing HMS driver Alex Bowman.
However, it will be interesting to see if and what performance-focused role Bowman takes on at the team post 2027.
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Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco
Edited by
Arundhoti Palit