Alex Bowman will be sidelined 3-4 weeks in the NASCAR Cup Series after suffering a fractured vertebra in a crash Tuesday during the High Limit Sprint Car Series event at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. Hendrick Motorsports announced the news Wednesday ahead of this week's NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway. 

Bowman will be replaced by Josh Berry in the Ally No. 48 Chevrolet. Berry spent a month filling in for Bowman’s teammate Chase Elliott after Elliott was injured in a snowboarding accident earlier this year.

NEWS: Injury to sideline @Alex_Bowman, @joshberry named substitute driver.https://t.co/3B29F8fXep

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) April 26, 2023

Following Hendrick Motorsports' announcement, Bowman followed up with a statement of his own.

“First I want to let everyone know I’m feeling ok.” Bowman said. “Last night I was involved in an on-track incident while racing and fractured a vertebrae.” 

On the day he was celebrating his 30th birthday, Bowman made contact with another competitor sending the two cars flipping wildly down the frontstretch. Both drivers were able to exit their cars under their own power. 

According to the statement from Hendrick Motorsports, Bowman was treated and released from a local hospital Tuesday night before being evaluated again Wednesday in Charlotte.  

Alex Bowman on injury: 'My focus is now on healing and resting'

Bowman had previously committed to racing full-time with the High Limit Sprint Car Series and was competing in the second points event of 2023 when he suffered the injury. 

“My focus is now on healing and resting," Bowman said. “Being out of the car is never any update a driver wants to make. I’m thankful to Josh Berry and Hendrick Motorsports for stepping up to the plate and I know the entire Ally Racing team will give it their all the next few weeks.”

“We’re relieved Alex is home, in good spirits and getting world-class treatment,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Giving him ample time and the foremost resources to heal is our top priority. He’s having a tremendous season, and the No. 48 is at the top of its game. We know what Josh is capable of in the race car and that Blake (Harris, crew chief) and the team will continue operating at a high level until Alex is ready to return. He has our full, unequivocal support.”

In addition to missing time with the NASCAR Cup Series, Bowman is not expected to compete in next Tuesday's High Limit Sprint Car Series event at Kokomo Raceway.