Alex Bowman to return for season finale at Phoenix

After what will be five weeks away from the driver’s seat of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Alex Bowman will finally get to return for the November 6 season finale at Phoenix Raceway.

Bowman, an Arizona native, posted a video to social media expressing his excitement for getting one last race with outgoing crew chief Greg Ives and his hopes of “finishing what they started” there.

Bowman started on the pole and led 194 of 324 laps before losing the lead late and finishing sixth at Phoenix in November 2016, with Ives as his crew chief.

Due to concussion-like symptoms, Bowman has missed races at Talladega, Charlotte Roval, Las Vegas, Homestead-Miami, and will miss Martinsville.

Noah Gragson has filled in and finished 19th at Talladega, 23rd at Charlotte Roval, 11th at Las Vegas and 25th at Homestead-Miami.

Gragson was scheduled to drive the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet at Phoenix Raceway but A.J. Allmendinger will drive it instead, as Gragson focuses on winning the Xfinity title.