During the pre-race broadcast of Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, a joke between driver Alex Bowman and his spotter Kevin Hamlin led to confusion. Bowman, who qualified ninth, was told by Hamlin that he needed to fall to the back of the field for delaying the start, only for Hamlin to immediately reveal he was joking.
“Are you kidding me?” Bowman exclaimed, as reported by Jeff Gluck of The Athletic. Hamlin then clarified,
“Yeah, I’m f*cking with you. All good,”
—Kevin Hamlin, Spotter.
The NBC Sports broadcast team apparently missed Hamlin’s punchline and initially reported that Bowman would be dropping to the rear of the field, causing a stir among viewers. Play-by-play announcer Leigh Diffey later corrected the misunderstanding, allowing the race to proceed normally under the Richmond lights.
Alex Bowman’s Position and Playoff Prospects
For Bowman, hearing that it was a joke must have been a relief given the significance of track position at Richmond, especially during a gritty 300-mile race. Entering Saturday’s race, Bowman was positioned 60 points above the playoff cutoff, holding the crucial 15th spot in the playoff standings. Despite his solid points position, he remains winless this season, underscoring the importance of strong performances at Richmond and the upcoming race at Daytona to secure his postseason berth.
Bowman has maintained consistency in collecting points, which has helped him stay relatively safe in the standings. Nonetheless, Richmond has been a challenging track for him throughout his career. Ahead of the race at Watkins Glen, Bowman acknowledged that Richmond is unpredictable and that his performances there have been inconsistent.
“
You have to expect [a new winner] in the situation that we’re in,
”
Bowman said.
It’s three not-great racetracks for us. We’ve won at Richmond before, but we’ve been extremely hit-or-miss there over the years. We’re either really good or really bad every time that we’re there, so hopefully, we’re on the really good side of that. And Daytona, just got to put yourself in position to be there at the end.
” —Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver.
Clarifying the Race Start Confusion and Its Effect
The mix-up about Bowman dropping to the rear initially threw both fans and broadcast officials off, but it was quickly resolved on-air. This episode highlights the importance of clear communication in the high-pressure moments before a NASCAR race starts, especially with live radio and television crews working simultaneously. Once the joke was understood, the race proceeded without further incident, allowing drivers to focus on the demanding Richmond track.
As Bowman faces the remaining races of the season, his ability to perform well at Richmond and Daytona will be critical to maintaining and improving his standing in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs race. His consistent points accumulation and experience could yet prove vital in securing a spot in the postseason.