NASCAR championship contender Alex Bowman to miss Charlotte race

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NASCAR championship contender Alex Bowman will miss a second straight race with a concussion.

Bowman was in the Round of 12 in the NASCAR playoffs when he crashed in Texas. He told his team at the time of the crash that it was one of the hardest hits of his life. He went on to finish another 231 laps and was diagnosed with a concussion four days later.

Bowman missed last week’s race at Talladega and will miss the Charlotte Roval. Noah Gragson filled in for Bowman last weekend and will do it again.

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Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, walks the grid during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 16, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee.  (Logan Riely/Getty Images)

"With my health continuing to be my number one priority, I will not return to racing this weekend at the NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway," Bowman said in a statement. "I am continuing to make strides in my recovery to make sure I can return to competition at 100%.

"I appreciate Noah stepping into the No. 48 Chevrolet again and will be cheering hard for my Ally Racing team this weekend.

"Thank you to everyone for your support during this time. It has not gone unheard or unseen and I’m overwhelmed by your support."

Bowman’s absence means he will be cut from the playoffs.

Alex Bowman, #48, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Larry Papke)

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"Alex’s health is our first