Alex Bowman finishes last in return to NASCAR competition at Bristol

What was a weekend of triumph for Alex Bowman as he returned to NASCAR competition after dealing with vertigo symptoms for over a month quickly turned sour. 

Bowman hadn't raced since March 1 at COTA, when he first began feeling ill. He then missed the next four races and was last (36th) in the Cup Series standings going into Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. 

His situation isn't any better as the circuit prepares to head to Kansas Speedway on April 19. 

Bowman was involved in a lap 160 crash after Shane van Gisbergen got loose entering turn 3 and spun, collecting Bowman, John Hunter Nemechek and Todd Gilliland. Bowman went on to be ruled out of the race and finished last (37th). 

Alex Bowman's miserable season continues

Bowman remains 36th in the Cup Series standings after Sunday, having scored only 24 points in four starts this season. He is 362 points back of leader Tyler Reddick and 153 behind Shane van Gisbergen for the 16th and final spot in the provisional 16-driver Chase field. 

Needless to say, Bowman and the No. 48 team need a good result at Kansas in order to turn their season around and start their march towards the postseason.