Alex Bowman displayed remarkable perseverance by finishing fourth in the Viva Mexico 250 at Mexico City, despite dealing with a painful injury sustained during a crash the previous Sunday at Michigan. Although it was uncertain if he could race on the twisting road course, Bowman’s determination and resilience helped him move up from 29th place to secure a top-five finish for Hendrick Motorsports.
Bowman faced considerable physical challenges throughout the weekend but stated,
“I think running well probably made it easier than it could have been,”
showing how his performance helped him push through the pain. After missing critical preparation time during the week, including simulator sessions and meetings, Bowman credited the support of his team and medical staff for helping him stay on track.
Just proud of the whole Ally 48 team. I put us behind this week. In full transparency, I couldn’t walk on Wednesday so I missed all my sim stuff, I missed all my meetings, just trying to get back going.
—Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports driver
(I) had a lot of help from a lot of people to fix whatever the hell was going on and thankfully enough, I was able to run all the laps this weekend. Honestly, my goal was just to come here and make all the laps and to end up with a top five. I’ll definitely take it.
—Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Near Victory Margins and Tire Struggles in Final Stages
Bowman, finishing just ahead of Michael McDowell in fifth place, reflected on what could have gone differently to potentially earn a win or at least a podium spot. Tire wear became a significant factor in the race’s closing laps, affecting Bowman’s ability to challenge for a higher standing.
I wish I wouldn’t have burned the tires off it so bad at the end, but yeah we were pretty decent,
Bowman said, referring to the late-race performance that kept him from moving up further.
Limited Time to Explore Mexico City Due to Injury
Despite racing in Mexico City for the first time, Bowman was unable to fully enjoy the cultural experience because his injury forced him to rest most of the weekend. Traveling outside the U.S. was a new experience for him, though pain restricted his ability to sightsee.
Certainly, this week has been a lot, and travel for this week has been a lot, just with what I had going on,
Bowman explained, sharing his disappointment about missing out on exploring the city more.
I wish I could have walked around the city more, enjoyed some of that more than I did because I just laid in a hotel bed all weekend.
—Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports driver
But yeah, it’s a neat spot. I’ve got to thank my girlfriend Chloe for picking me up off the floor and getting me some help. It’s been a heck of a week.
—Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Preparing for Upcoming Race at Pocono Raceway
Looking ahead, Bowman will have several days to heal before racing again at Pocono Raceway’s 2.5-mile tri-oval. Known for his strong performances there, including a win in 2021 and a third-place finish last year, Bowman will be eager to continue his competitive momentum as the Cup series progresses.