Alex Bowman will return for Coca-Cola 600, granted playoff waiver

NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman. Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Bowman will return for Coca-Cola 600, granted waiver for playoffs

By Jason Clinkscales | Last updated 5/24/23

Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 car for Hendrick Motorsports, will return to the race track this weekend to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte.

NEWS: @TeamHendrick announces @Alex_Bowman will return to NASCAR Cup Series competition this weekend at @CLTMotorSpdwy! #CocaCola600 pic.twitter.com/vnVZoqMcuG
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 24, 2023

After going for a test run in North Carolina on Tuesday, NASCAR also granted Bowman a medical waiver to remain in contention for a playoff spot later in the year. Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass posted the racing circuit's rulebook on how a driver can be given a waiver to remain in competition for the championship.

Alex Bowman tested yesterday at North Wilkesboro. NASCAR allows a test when coming back from injury. Here are the rules for such a test: pic.twitter.com/wz5xL97VAm
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 24, 2023

Bowman was hurt on April 25 during a spring race event in Iowa, suffering a compression fracture. He was leading the Cup Series in points at the time of the accident - that lead is now held by Ross Chastain. The 30-year-old driver missed the last three Cup Series events as well as NASCAR's All-Star Race on Sunday.

While health is paramount, getting the waiver is a major win for Bowman and Team Hendrick. At the halfway mark on the season, Bowman is currently in 17th place and his 270 points are just five behind Chase Briscoe. The top 16 drivers are eligible for the playoffs, which begin at the Cook Out Southern 500 in Darlington, South Carolina on September 3.

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