NASCAR News: Hendrick Motorsports chief issues health update after star ruled out of Phoenix

Hendrick Motorsports Vice President and General Manager Jeff Andrews has revealed that NASCAR star Alex Bowman's recent medical diagnosis should have no long-term effects, but admitted that his symptoms came out of nowhere.

After stepping out of the car with 21 laps to go at Circuit of the Americas last weekend, Hendrick Motorsports confirmed that Bowman will not be racing in the No. 48 Chevrolet in Phoenix after being diagnosed with vertigo.

Following the event at COTA, Bowman underwent days of medical evaluation this week and drove laps on Thursday in a streetcar at the Ten Tenths Motor Club road course in Concord, North Carolina.

However, despite being encouraged by his progress, Bowman won't be in the car this time around, with Anthony Alfredo piloting the No. 48 instead.

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Alex Bowman latest health update

Ahead of the weekend, Hendrick Motorsports chief Andrews spoke to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, offering the latest on the health of the driver.

“It really has just come out of nowhere, so to speak,” Andrews explained on Bowman's condition.

“Alex has been seen and treated for some back and neck pain in the past, like I think most of these guys and ladies that strap into these stock cars and cinch those belts down do after a fairly long career, but nothing out of the ordinary.

“Our staff have been treating him no different than any other driver or another athlete. So yeah, don't really have answers right now because it is so early on.”

Bowman working hard on return

Andrews continued: “I do know that he's working super hard to get through this. He's got a great team of specialists. They're looking into this and looking after him. He's undergone several rounds of testing to pinpoint exactly what it is.

“The good news is, you know, it's absolutely nothing concussion-related [or] anything like that, that should have long-term effects. So we're supporting him as he goes down the right path here and sees the right people to get himself better.

“Our first priority is the health and safety of Alex Bowman, not only in one of our race cars, but his personal health as a whole. So we'll support him however long this takes, and that seat will be ready for him when he gets ready to get back in that car.”