Hopes were high that Alex Bowman could turn around what had been a rough opening two races in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, as the series visited Circuit of the Americas, a track where Bowman had been one of the best drivers historically.
However, throughout the race, Bowman wasn’t his usual self at the 2.4-mile 20-turn road course in Austin, Texas, and as the race reached the final Stage, it was clear the driver was suffering from a health situation of some kind within the cockpit of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
After several laps of sounding like he was in true discomfort on the radio, his crew chief, Blake Harris, told Bowman that at that point in the race, there was no difference in him gutting out a finish, or pulling the car in, as Bowman had dropped to 36th-place, and was far off the pace from the remainder of the field due to his condition inside the car.
Bowman responded, “I’m going to have to get out,” and a couple of laps later, he pulled the No. 48 Chevrolet into the garage area to relinquish the seat of his car. After Sunday’s race, Jeff Andrews, President and General Manager of Hendrick Motorsports, issued a statement on Bowman exiting the event.
“It was an unexpected situation,” Andrews explained. “Alex wasn’t feeling well enough to continue, so we made the call to get him out of the car. It came on suddenly. He was seen in the care center and received fluids, but we don’t have anything further to share at this time.”
While it was a horrible scene for Bowman, an-eight-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner, the situation presented a unique opportunity for Myatt Snider, a part-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver.
Snider, who was serving as an assistant pit reporter for FOX Sports, got the indication that Hendrick Motorsports needed him to suit up to finish out the race for the No. 48 team. As Snyder left his location on pit road, he frantically began texting fellow part-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver, Brad Perez, about braking points at Circuit of the Americas.
Perez shared the text exchange with Snider in a screenshot in a post on X. Snider began the chat by saying, “As soon as you can. What is the braking point for the turn off the esses at COTA,” to which Perez responded, “like right at or slightly before the last tire stack in the right,” and Snider responded, “Turn 6A,” and then, “Ok. Thanks,” before the conversation continued for further coaching about the course.
Moments later, Snider got into his driving suit, put on his helmet, and in the most surreal moment ever, was able to check off the bucket list item of driving for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series.
DRIVER CHANGE. @MyattSnider jumps in for a sick Alex Bowman with 21 laps to go at COTA. He was spotting on pit road for our own @JamieLittleTV prior to climbing in. pic.twitter.com/lQsdnWhRmm
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 1, 2026
With no prior experience in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen car, after texting Perez for advice on running the course on his way to the garage area, and being whisked and thrust into NASCAR Cup Series competition, Snider competed admirably for the remainder of the event, even turning lap times that were on par with the other competitors down the stretch.
In the end, Snider’s surprise first laps in a NASCAR Cup Series car ended with the No. 48 Chevrolet running out of fuel with two laps remaining in the event, but he was able to bring the car home in one piece, as he finished the race out for Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports.
Andrews added, “We’re grateful to Myatt for stepping in on such short notice.”
Perhaps stepping in and bringing the car home in one piece will allow Snider the opportunity to make future appearances in the NASCAR Cup Series if a team is seeking a driver in the future.
While it’s still early in the season, after being credited with a 36th-place finish in the 37-car field at COTA on Sunday, Bowman finds himself in a big hole in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings. Heading into the fourth race of the season, which will be at Phoenix Raceway, Bowman sits last among full-time competitors, ranked 36th in the standings.
Bowman is 45 points below the cutoff for the “Chase for the Cup” with 23 races remaining until the Chase begins. The top-16 drivers will advance into the 10-race Chase.
