Hendrick Motorsports star Alex Bowman says that his retirement has been in the pipeline for some time, and that his decision to stop NASCAR racing is not one that was made suddenly.
Heading into the weekend, Bowman announced a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports, confirming he will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet next season.
However, that will be his last in the sport, with Bowman then set to retire from full-time NASCAR racing at the conclusion of 2027.
Despite being just 33 years old, Bowman has missed several races through injury over the last four years, and perhaps as a result, he says that his retirement timeline has been roughly laid out for quite some time now.
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Alex Bowman on NASCAR retirement decision
"Yeah, I mean, I think for me, it's always been in this time frame," Bowman explained to the media ahead of the Brickyard 400. "I would say like kind of this three-year block.
"Whether it was 2026, ‘27 or ‘28, that's something we've talked about for a really long time and what I've always had circled.
"I think with what went on in March, I feel like in my head, I had looked at this year being it quite a bit. But yeah, just trying to make the best decision for me and obviously the best decision for Hendrick Motorsports.
"I think I really want to end on a more positive note than kind of how this year has been, so that gave me a little more motivation to come back and go one more year. I think it is better for me, personally. It's better for Hendrick Motorsports.
"It's been a lot of fun. Obviously, it's been a dream come true to get to drive for HMS and work with everybody there. We’re doing our best to end this year strong and have a really strong year next year.”
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