Alex Bowman's luck finally turns around with third-place finish at Talladega

Alex Bowman finally had something go his way in 2026. 

After poor results in the first three races of the year, missing the next four with vertigo and still being unable to break into the top 10 upon his return, Bowman finished third in Sunday's Jack Link's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, earning his first top 10 of 2026. 

It was a much-needed result for Bowman and the No. 48 team. 

"To be blunt, it just feels good to get out of here without crashing," Bowman told Fox Sports. "I'm getting old and don't have much of that left in me. Felt like we played the race we best we could with the situations we were given."

Alex Bowman compliments Carson Hocevar on first win

Bowman gave race winner Carson Hocevar the push he needed to beat Chris Buescher to the line and score his first career win. 

"He deserves it," Bowman said of Hocevar. "Glad to get a Chevrolet in victory lane. Perfect place for him to get his first one. [Talladega Boulevard] might burn down. Excited to turn things around." 

Bowman is still last (36th) among full-time Cup Series drivers in the standings. He's 404 points back of leader Tyler Reddick and 146 back of 16th-place Austin Cindric for the final provisional Chase berth through 10 races.