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Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
After making the playoffs by the skin of his teeth last weekend, Alex Bowman became something of a longshot to advance to the Round of 12 after a miserable Southern 500. Bowman's day effectively ended almost as soon as it started because he suffered damage while checking up to avoid the multi-car opening lap melee. Later in Stage 1, he fell two laps down after a disastrous 40-second pit stop. Although a wave around and a free pass in Stage 2 allowed him to get back on the lead lap, he remained very slow and again fell two laps down (this time on speed), resulting in a 31st-place finish. Since he scored no stage points, his six points left him 19 points behind Shane van Gisbergen for the final spot in the Round 12. That's still somewhat doable since his competition includes SVG, Austin Dillon, and Josh Berry, but he likely needs to overtake a more consistent driver on points and that might be difficult.
Source: Racing Reference
Source: Racing Reference
