This has not been Rick Hendrick’s year…

The season had barely begun when one of his drivers – Chase Elliott – breaks a leg while snowboarding.

Then Hendrick Motorsports is hit with some major penalties that affected all four teams and while t=parts of those penalties were rescinded, it was followed by two more major penalties to HMS cars.

Then on Wednesday, Rick Hendrick learns that another one of his drivers has an injury that will keep him out of the car for multiple weeks.

While racing a Sprint Car on Tuesday night – his 30th birthday -, Alex Bowman was involved in a crash that resulted in a fractured vertebrae.  Bowman is scheduled to be out of the number 48 car for three to four weeks.

Alex Bowman released a statement on his status saying, “first,I want to let everyone know I’m feeling ok. My focus is now on healing and restin.  Being out of the car is never an update any driver wants to make.”

Once again JR Motorsports Xfinity Series driver Josh Berry will fill in while Bowman is out of the car.  Berry filled in driving the number nine car while Chase Elliott was out of the car.

HMS owner Rick Hendrick spoke on Alex Bowman’s injury saying, “we’re relieved Alex is home, in good spirits and getting world-class treatment.  Giving him ample time and the foremost resources to heal is our top priority. He’s having a tremendous season, and the number 48 is at the top of its game. We know what Josh is capable of in the race car and that Blake (Harris, crew chief) and the team will continue operating at a high level until Alex is ready to return. He has our full, unequivocal support.”

As with Chase Elliott, HMS will request a medical waiver to allow Bowman to be eligible for the playoffs should he either win a race or earn enough points to be in the top 16.

Alex Bowman has been caught up in both of the HMS penalties this season.  In the first, the Appeals Panel restored the deducted points but in the second, there was no appeal and the 60 point deduction and five playoff point deduction stood. 

Last season Alex Bowman missed five races after suffering a concussion during a race.  Bowman’s was the second concussion last season; Kurt Busch also suffered a concussion that ended his career as a full time racer.