Alex Bowman isn’t leaving Hendrick Motorsports just yet.
But one of NASCAR’s most recognizable drivers has confirmed that the 2027 Cup Series season will be his last as a full-time competitor, announcing Thursday that he plans to retire from full-time racing after next season.
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The surprise announcement came alongside news that Bowman has signed a one-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports, keeping him in the No. 48 Chevrolet through the end of 2027 before stepping away from full-time competition.
Alex Bowman will retire after the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season
Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday that Bowman has agreed to a one-year extension that will carry him through the 2027 season.
The team also confirmed that the extension is expected to be Bowman’s final full-time contract as a NASCAR Cup Series driver.
“After the 2027 season, Alex Bowman will retire from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition,” Hendrick Motorsports wrote on social media. “Until then, there’s one more chapter left to write.”
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The announcement means Bowman will continue driving the iconic No. 48 Chevrolet for one more full season before bringing his full-time Cup career to a close.
Bowman joined Hendrick Motorsports full time in 2018 after replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Chevrolet. In 2021, he moved into the No. 48 following Jimmie Johnson’s retirement, becoming just the third full-time driver to pilot one of NASCAR’s most famous numbers.
Hendrick Motorsports now faces a major decision
Bowman’s retirement announcement immediately shifts attention to what comes next for Hendrick Motorsports.
According to veteran motorsports reporter Adam Stern, Trackhouse Racing driver Connor Zilisch is understood to be at the top of Hendrick’s wish list to replace Bowman beginning with the 2028 season.
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While Hendrick has not announced any plans beyond 2027, Bowman’s decision gives one of NASCAR’s powerhouse organizations more than a year to prepare for its next driver lineup.
For now, though, Bowman remains focused on adding another chapter to his Hendrick Motorsports career.
The Arizona native will compete through the remainder of the 2026 season before returning for one final full-time campaign in 2027.
With more than a season left before he steps away, Bowman still has plenty of opportunities to add to his Cup Series résumé before closing out one of the sport’s most notable careers of the modern era.
