NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (48) wins the Busch Light Pole Award for the NASCAR Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Watch: Engine gremlins doom Alex Bowman's day at Bristol

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Apr 13, 2025 5:33 PM ET

Food City 500 pole-sitter Alex Bowman saw his race come to an early end on Sunday.

After winning the pole on Saturday, Bowman led the first 39 laps and finished fourth in Stage 1 and second in Stage 2. Unfortunately, engine issues derailed what looked to be a great points day for the No. 48 team.

"Blowing up!" @Alex_Bowman radios trouble to his No. 48 team! pic.twitter.com/y3EN43Qtb5
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 13, 2025

Bowman radioed to his team that he was, "blowing up", leading to NASCAR on FOX analyst Clint Bowyer to remark that Bowman's Chevrolet appeared to be down a cylinder. Blue smoke eventually began to pour of the exhaust pipes of the No. 48 as Bowman continued to lose ground.

Bowman stayed on-track despite his engine being down on power, but bled positions and went two laps down before finally peeling off the racing surface and heading down pit road. He took his car to the garage on Lap 352.

Bowman is currently scored in 37th place and is ninth in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings as they run.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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