Is Alex Bowman in Danger of Elimination After the First Round of the Playoffs?

The first race of the Cup Series playoffs has officially concluded and one place is booked already. However, there have been a fair number of questions surrounding one of the remaining contenders. Out of the Hendrick quartet, Alex Bowman seems to be in the most vulnerable position.

Recently, Kyle Petty and Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass spoke about the #48 driver and his chances of making it to the next round. Pockrass said, “Alex, yes he won at Richmond earlier this year. I just think that that team has kind of hit a funk. Until they start rattling off some finishes and leading some laps, I’m not all that confident in him.”

Admittedly, it was a bad day in the office for three-quarters of the Hendrick Motorsports team. Aside from Larson, none of the other drivers finished in the Top 20. The highest-placed driver was Bowman, all the way down in 26th place. Behind him was Chase Elliott in 31st, and William Byron in 34th place.

Can Alex Bowman recover and get his season in order?

Early in the race, he and teammate William Byron collided but were able to fight their way back up the pack. It wasn’t that they had bad cars last weekend, as they ran sixth and seventh at one point in the race. Unfortunately, Bowman, in particular, has struggled, and Pockrass believes that he will be eliminated first.

Now, the onus is on Alex Bowman to try and stay alive in the competition for as long as possible. At the moment, he is right in the relegation zone with two races left until the first round concludes. Bowman is currently in 13th place in the standings, ahead of Kyle Busch, Byron, and Michael McDowell. Busch is another driver who endured a bad day in the office at Darlington. So, he will be seeking redemption.

READ MORE: Strong Off Track Result for Alex Bowman Before the NASCAR Playoffs, Finishes 5th in Sprint Car Feature Race