Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, expressed his team’s disappointment over Alex Bowman’s recent disqualification from the Charlotte ROVAL race. This incident occurred soon after Bowman, in the No. 48 car, celebrated a strong performance in the Bank of America ROVAL 400, a crucial event in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Despite finishing in the top 20 and winning the second stage, post-race inspections indicated that Bowman’s car was too light, leading to his disqualification and a drop to 38th place, ultimately knocking him out of the semi-final playoff round.
The initial excitement was dampened significantly after this news, particularly following a successful day highlighted by Kyle Larson’s win. Hendrick Motorsports announced they would not contest the disqualification.
In an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Gordon shared his thoughts about the situation, stating, “When we looked at all the factors… we wanted to inspect the car thoroughly to see if there was any damage.” He praised NASCAR for their processes, noting that detailed inspections can be challenging at the racetrack.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to NASCAR’s weight regulations, admitting that while striving for optimal performance, the team miscalculated and cut it too close with the No. 48 car. “I’m pretty embarrassed by it,” Gordon added. “It was looking like a historic day for us.”
He highlighted the efforts and growth of the No. 48 team, expressing regret over losing such a valuable opportunity. “You hate to take the momentum away,” he said, while also recognizing the team’s potential to carry their performance momentum into the next season.