NASCAR: Kyle Larson decision significant for Alex Bowman?
By Asher Fair
Kyle Larson is set to replace Alex Bowman in the NASCAR Truck Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Will Bowman still compete in the All-Star Race?
Alex Bowman was set to make his second start of the 2023 NASCAR Truck Series season this coming weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports.
However, a few weeks ago, he was involved in a sprint car crash which left him with a fractured vertebra. It was said that Bowman, who competes full-time for Hendrick Motorsports in the Cup Series, would miss three to four weeks.
This past Sunday afternoon’s Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway marked Bowman’s third missed start, with Josh Berry again filling in for him behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet. His status beyond the weekend hasn’t been confirmed.
But it has been confirmed that he won’t be available for this coming Saturday afternoon’s Truck Series race, the Tyson 250, at North Wilkesboro Speedway, with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson set to replace him behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet.
Does this indicate that Alex Bowman won’t be available for the NASCAR All-Star Race?
The All-Star Race is scheduled to take place on Sunday evening at the four-turn, 0.625-mile (1.006-kilometer) North Wilkesboro, North Carolina oval, just one day after the Truck Series race at the track, but Bowman hasn’t yet officially been ruled out for that event.
What has been officially confirmed, however, is that if Bowman can’t compete in that race, his replacement behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet, which would still be Berry, will not receive his automatic spot in the All-Star Race, which he earned by winning a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last season. Berry would have to qualify for the race via the All-Star Open.
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The Tyson 250 is set to be broadcast live from North Wilkesboro Speedway on Fox beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 20, while the All-Star Open and All-Star Race are set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET and 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 21, respectively. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss any of the action from NASCAR’s return to the iconic venue!