Alex Bowman is retiring on his own terms

In one of his most candid conversations to date, NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman joins SPEED with Harvick and Buxton, to open up about his career, the relentless demands of elite motorsport, and his decision to retire from full-time racing at the conclusion of the 2027 season. Driving the legendary No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, Bowman has proved himself as a top-tier contender with eight Cup victories. But behind the thrilling track battles lies a complex story of resilience. In this episode, Alex dives deep into his decision to sign a one-year contract extension through 2027 to wrap up his full-time career on his own terms—fulfilling a personal plan he’s held since joining HMS nearly a decade ago. Alex candidly shares the factors shaping his choice: the physical toll of injuries—as well as the emotional weight of a 36-week season. He reflects on his desire to transition to a normal lifestyle, prioritize mental health, and start a family without carrying the week-to-week stress of racing into his home life. You will NOT want to miss this episode of SPEED with Harvick and Buxton. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:27 NASCAR Driver Alex Bowman Joins The Show 0:35 Racing At Richmond This Past Weekend 1:38 Expectations At Hendrick Motorsports 2:38 Retiring Early & Grind Of Cup Series 6:37 Still Driving Other Cars After Retiring? 8:36 Pressure Of Racing 14:20 Driving For Hendrick Motorsports 16:10 Final Season In 2027 19:19 Favorite Place To Race 21:49 Looking Forward To Most From Retirement 23:45 Favorite Generation Of Car 26:42 Lesson Learned From Racing Career 28:02 Outro