The level of enthusiasm has never been higher. Why wouldn’t it be? This weekend marks the return of Cup Series action at Kansas Speedway, and although most people will naturally focus on the familiar faces, there is a “dark horse” who has the potential to surprise everyone. At the 1.5-mile tri-oval, this driver has the potential to upset the AdventHealth 400, and fans love an underdog narrative. Despite the fact that he has experienced a number of disappointments in recent weeks, the race could be the catalyst for him to change his luck. Alex Bowman is frequently overlooked in a team full of superstars. However, based on past performance, the No. 48 driver is a formidable opponent in Kansas and may go on to prove his critics wrong by securing a much-needed result.
Alex Bowman is hopeful about his prospects
Alex Bowman has experienced several hardships. The Arizona native, who has finished 27th or worse in four of his previous five races, is currently experiencing a severe slump in form while racing for NASCAR’s most successful team. Though he shown remarkable speed during the Würth 400, his final race in Texas was similarly cut short after he was engaged in a multi-car collision that was entirely out of his control. Kansas might be his road to recovery, but Texas was a lost chance. Alex Bowman expressed his opinions about the race earlier this week, saying, “Kansas is one of those tracks where you can really hustle the car and search.”
We performed well there in the fall, and I thought our Ally Chevrolet had a chance to win the race, but it didn’t work out. I’ve always liked this place and it’s one of my best tracks. As he and crew chief Blake Harris try to regain his early-season form, which saw him sit third in the driver’s standings, that kind of confidence is refreshing and might make the difference. Bowman has previously demonstrated a high level of consistency at Kansas Speedway. The Hendrick Motorsports driver, who shares an average finish of 7.2 with Kyle Larson, hasn’t placed outside the top 10 at the intermediate circuit since the Next-Gen car was debuted. Just 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.
Although Alex Bowman has yet to claim a victory, the racer’s 2025 campaign got off to a strong start. He finished second at Homestead-Miami and has five top-10 finishes in the first six races. Though his Chevy still has the pace to compete with the best, his form has deteriorated since then, and the outcomes haven’t kept up. But Kansas, where he has historically performed well, is the one song that might turn out to be a game-changer. At the 2025 AdventHealth 400, Bowman’s name might be near the top of the list even though momentum might not be on his side. Kyle Larson and William Byron have 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 Kansas be dominated by Hendrick Motorsports?
It has come to be known that Kansas Speedway is a very unpredictable track. The track’s secret has remained a mystery, even for Hendrick Motorsports, which has won nine races there. Kyle Larson, who has been among the top 10 in every 1.5-mile race this season, finished 26th in the playoff race last year. Nothing at the tri-oval is assured, it’s safe to say. But Rick Hendrick’s squad is the only one capable of controlling the AdventHealth 400. No team has been more reliable in 2025 than HMS’ four-car lineup, which includes Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Kyle Larson. Together, they have led an incredible 1,135 laps, with “Yung Money” leading the field for 596 laps in just 11 races.
At least one Hendrick Motorsports vehicle has finished in the top five in each of the 11 races this season, and Byron’s current season average of 8.91 is the greatest by an HMS driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2013. But despite all of that consistency, Rick Hendrick’s squad has only managed three victories. Although Alex Bowman has also done well in the tri-oval, Larson’s victory in the spring race in 2024 was their sole Kansas victory during the Next-Gen era. Last time around, the No. 5 Chevy defeated Chris Buescher by a mere 0.001 seconds, and this year’s race is predicted to be just as close. Hendrick Motorsports is one of the teams that may rule Kansas Speedway. But nothing less than perfection will be enough to achieve that feat.
