Alex Bowman Crashes During Green-Flag Pit Stops at North Wilkesboro

Alex Bowman's NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway took a dramatic turn when he crashed into Tyler Reddick during green-flag pit stops on Sunday. The incident unfolded as teams were cycling through pit stops, with Bowman's No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet clipping the right-front of Reddick's No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota.

What happened?

The contact immediately brought out the caution, interrupting the ongoing pit cycle and forcing teams to quickly adjust their strategy. Jeff Gluck of The Athletic initially reported that Reddick and Bowman had crashed entering pit road, but later clarified the sequence of events, stating that Bowman was coming down the track and hit Reddick.

Why it matters for Alex Bowman

Multiple reporters at the track described the incident similarly, noting that Bowman was crossing the racing surface to make pit road while Reddick was alongside him. The collision sparked immediate concern for the race leader, but Reddick's team quickly indicated they did not believe the No. 45 Toyota had sustained significant damage.

What comes next?

Although the team reported no major damage, the incident dramatically altered the strategic battle heading into the final stage. Several teams had already committed to pit road while others were still on track when the yellow flag flew, creating an uneven cycle that could reshape the running order for the remainder of Stage 2. Daniel Suarez also narrowly avoided becoming part of the incident after making an aggressive move back onto the racing surface instead of continuing onto pit road as the accident unfolded ahead of him.

The attention quickly shifted from repairs to how the unexpected caution would impact the race's strategic battle heading into the final stage. With no significant damage initially reported for Reddick's car, the team continued to report they did not see any major damage from the contact. Crew members were heard saying, "Hit the right front, Billy," and moments later, another update followed, "Steering wheel is one o'clock, a full hour off.