Alex Bowman, driving the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, broke an 80-race winless streak by winning the Grant Park 165 on the challenging streets of downtown Chicago. This victory marked Bowman’s eighth career win in the NASCAR Cup Series and his first since March 6, 2022, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The race, which was marred by rain delays, culminated in a dramatic finish as Bowman navigated the rain-soaked course while managing a countdown clock. When the clock hit zero, Bowman successfully held off competitors Tyler Reddick and Ty Gibbs to secure the win.
Reflecting on his tumultuous journey over the past two years, Bowman candidly spoke about the challenges he faced, including a concussion in September 2022 and a back injury in April 2023. Despite these setbacks, Bowman’s perseverance and determination ultimately led to his triumphant return to victory lane.
“Man, I broke my back, I had a brain injury, and we’ve kind of sucked ever since,” Bowman shared in a post-race interview with NBC. “You kind of second guess if you are ever going to win a race again. Last one we won, we didn’t really get to celebrate.”
Bowman’s win not only revitalizes his career but also solidifies his position in the NASCAR playoffs, likely securing his spot among the top 16 drivers with six regular-season races remaining.
The Grant Park 165 was fraught with strategic decisions as rain disrupted the race, forcing teams to switch between wet-weather tires and slicks. Bowman’s team opted to stay on rain tires longer than others, a decision that ultimately paid off as competitors faced challenges with tire changes and track conditions.
Christopher Bell, who led a significant portion of the race, encountered setbacks after opting for slick tires earlier than Bowman. A collision with teammate Martin Truex Jr. further hindered Bell’s progress, relegating him to a disappointing finish.
In the final standings, Bowman led the race to the checkered flag, followed closely by Tyler Reddick and Ty Gibbs in second and third, respectively. The top 10 finishers also included Joey Hand, Michael McDowell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Todd Gilliland, William Byron, Kyle Busch, and Ryan Blaney.
However, moments after Bowman’s celebratory lap, his victory was nearly overshadowed when Bubba Wallace accidentally collided with Bowman’s car during the cool-down lap. Wallace, who had earlier spun after contact with Bowman, finished 13th and Bowman immediately expressed regret over the incident.
“I want to apologize again to the 23 guys (Wallace’s team),” Bowman said. “I just messed up trying to get my windshield wiper on, missed the corner and ruined their day. I hate that, and I’m still embarrassed by that.”
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Bowman’s win at the Grant Park 165 not only signifies a personal triumph but also underscores his resilience and determination to overcome adversity in one of NASCAR’s most challenging races of the season.
