The excitement is at an all-time high. Why would it not be? Cup Series action resumes at Kansas Speedway this weekend, and while most eyes will naturally fall on the usual suspects, there is a ‘dark horse’ who could go on to shock everyone. Fans love an underdog story, and this particular driver could shake up the AdventHealth 400 at the 1.5-mile tri-oval. Even though he has struggled with several setbacks in recent weeks, the upcoming race could be exactly what he needs to turn his fortunes around.
In a team full of superstars, Alex Bowman often goes under the radar. But if history is anything to go by, the No. 48 driver is a real force to be reckoned with in Kansas, and could go on to prove his critics wrong by securing a much-needed result.
Alex Bowman is optimistic about his chances
Alex Bowman has seen his fair share of struggles. Despite competing for NASCAR’s most successful team, the Arizona native is currently in the middle of a massive dip in form, having finished 27th or worse in four of his last five races. His last race in Texas was also cut short after being involved in a multi-car wreck, an incident that was completely beyond his control, even though he showed impressive speed during the Würth 400. But while Texas was a missed opportunity, Kansas could be his comeback track.
Earlier this week, Alex Bowman shared his thoughts about the upcoming race and said, “Kansas is one of those tracks where you can really hustle the car and search for grip. We were good there in the fall, and I felt like we had an Ally Chevrolet that could have won the race, but it just didn’t work out. This is one of my better tracks and a place that I have always enjoyed.” That kind of confidence is refreshing, and could prove to be the difference maker as he and crew chief Blake Harris look to get back his early-season form, which saw him sitting third in the driver’s standings.
Bowman has shown a lot of consistency at Kansas Speedway in the past. Ever since the Next-Gen car was introduced, the Hendrick Motorsports driver hasn’t finished outside the top 10 at the intermediate track, with an average finish of 7.2, tied with Kyle Larson. Only Denny Hamlin (3.7) has fared better at the venue. Even though he missed the 2023 Kansas race because of injury, the No. 48 racer has still scored the 10th-most points at the track since 2022.
.@Alex_Bowman heads to Kansas with the second-best average finish there in the Next Gen era — the perfect place for the @TeamHendrick driver turn things around.
Read More via @Toby_Christie https://t.co/tnKNTjkM6G
— Racing America (@RacingAmerica) May 8, 2025
Alex Bowman might not have a win to his name yet, but the 2025 campaign got off to a very good start for the racer. He secured five top-10 results in the opening six races, including a runner-up finish at Homestead-Miami. However, his form has dropped off since then, and while his Chevy still has the speed to compete against the very best, the results haven’t followed. However, if there’s one track that could prove to be a turning point, it’s Kansas, where he has traditionally fared well.
Momentum might not be on his side, but Bowman’s name could be right up there on the leaderboard when the checkered flag is waved at the 2025 AdventHealth 400. With William Byron and Kyle Larson having already secured wins this season, it’s time for the 32-year-old to enter Victory Lane as well. Could Kansas prove to be the turning point for Rick Hendrick’s underdog? Time will tell.
Could Hendrick Motorsports dominate in Kansas?
Kansas Speedway has developed a reputation for being a notoriously unpredictable track. Even Hendrick Motorsports, which has won nine races at the venue, has not been able to solve the track’s secret. Kyle Larson, who has finished inside the top 10 in each 1.5-mile track this season, ended up finishing 26th at last fall’s playoff race. It’s fair to say that nothing is guaranteed at the tri-oval. However, if there’s any team that can dominate the AdventHealth 400, it’s Rick Hendrick’s side.
In 2025, no team has been more consistent than HMS’ four-car stable comprising Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman. They have led a staggering 1,135 combined laps, out of which ‘Yung Money’ has led the field for 596 laps in just 11 races. Byron’s average finish of 8.91 at this point in the season is the best by an HMS driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2013, and at least one Hendrick Motorsports car has placed inside the top five in each of the 11 races this season.
However, for all the consistency, Rick Hendrick’s team only has three wins to show for it. Larson’s spring race win in 2024 was their only triumph in Kansas during the Next-Gen era, even though Alex Bowman has performed well at the tri-oval as well. The No. 5 Chevy won by a 0.001-second margin over Chris Buescher last time around, and it’s expected to be another close race this year. If there’s any team that can dominate Kansas Speedway, it’s Hendrick Motorsports. But nothing less than perfection will be enough to achieve that feat.
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