Alex Bowman had been slated to drive the iconic No. 88 entry at Nashville Superspeedway, but a bout of vertigo earlier in the season forced him to sit out four Cup Series starts. The condition, which caused dizziness and balance concerns, led team officials to reconsider his participation in the upcoming O'Reilly Auto Parts event.
Larson’s Momentum
Enter Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR champion who has already captured two wins this year. His recent performances at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March and at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this month positioned him as the clear favorite to add another triumph on the 1.33‑mile concrete oval.
Larson’s résumé includes a fourth‑place finish at Darlington and a stage‑winning second at Bristol, underscoring his versatility on short tracks. The No. 88 team sits second in the owner standings, and Larson’s two victories have been the primary drivers of that placement.
With three races still scheduled for the No. 88 car under the Hendrick Motorsports banner, the lineup will feature a mix of young talent such as Rajah Caruth and Connor Zilisch, alongside seasoned veterans William Byron and Chase Elliott in other entries. Larson’s immediate focus remains on delivering a strong result this weekend before the schedule moves on.
The swap highlights how quickly a health setback can reshape a race weekend, but also how a driver like Larson can step into a high‑pressure environment and keep the momentum alive for his team. Fans will be watching closely to see whether the substitution translates into another highlight for a season already marked by breakout performances.