Christopher Bell criticizes NASCAR’s practice sessions, calling them pointless and a mere “systems check.” He believes the 20-minute format serves no real purpose, comparing it to just warming up the car. With past race data doing most of the work, is practice even needed anymore? Some drivers agree while others see value in it. As changes are coming in 2025, the debate grows. But is NASCAR truly listening to its drivers?
Key Highlights
- Christopher Bell criticizes NASCAR’s 20-minute practice sessions as being only a “systems check” with little practical value.
- He believes past practices were more beneficial, while current sessions are insufficient for meaningful preparation.
- Bell argues that extensive data from previous races diminishes the need for additional practice time.
- He likens the brief practice sessions to merely “getting the oil hot,” suggesting they serve a limited purpose.
- Bell’s critique highlights concerns about the effectiveness and necessity of the current practice format.
Evolution of NASCAR Practice Sessions
Since its inception, NASCAR has continually evolved, and practice sessions have been no exception to this trend. Initially, teams participated in three 50-minute practices, providing ample time to fine-tune their vehicles.
However, in 2020, a tactical shift occurred, reducing the sessions to two, aiming to streamline operations and cut costs. The advent of COVID-19 further accelerated changes, with many events in 2020 and 2021 proceeding without any practice or qualifying sessions.
In response to these unprecedented circumstances, NASCAR reimagined its approach, revealing a new 20-minute practice format in 2022. This change was designed to be efficient, balancing the need for preparation with logistical and financial considerations.
Yet, not all stakeholders accepted this streamlined approach. The revised format, while practical, sparked debate about its true value, as it shifted focus from extended preparation to a more concise, economically driven model, reflecting NASCAR’s ongoing adaptation to modern challenges.
Christopher Bell Criticizes NASCAR’s Current Practice Format
Christopher Bell, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, has voiced his dissatisfaction with NASCAR’s current practice format, particularly during a recent interview with Dirty Mo Media.
Bell described the 20-minute practice sessions as primarily a “systems check,” offering minimal value for top-tier teams like JGR. He noted that while practice was beneficial during the early Next Gen era in 2022, when teams were still adapting to the new car dynamics, it has since lost its utility.
“Now, how many have we got? what? We have six Daytona races now with the next-gen car. You know what you’re going to show up with.” – (bell)
CBell on why he made the comment that practice was "unnecessary" 🤷♂️
📺 https://t.co/4I6Ae5fGFV@CBellRacing | @jeff_gluck | @Jordan_Bianchi pic.twitter.com/z9RAUYkUTl
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) February 12, 2025
“For my team (Joe Gibbs Racing) and my situation… ‘go ride around for a little bit and let me know when the temperature gauge comes on’. So, that’s literally what we did.” – (bell)
Bell highlighted that with ample data from past races, teams are well-prepared and know how their cars will perform.
He humorously compared the sessions to simply “getting the oil hot,” emphasizing that practice now serves only to ascertain no assembly mistakes, which is seldom a concern for experienced teams. His views contrast with those of Joey Logano, who believes practice is crucial for smaller teams to remain competitive.
NASCAR’s Perspective and Upcoming Practice Changes
Although the 20-minute practice format was originally introduced in 2022 to economize race weekends, NASCAR is now planning modifications to this approach. Initially designed to streamline operations and reduce costs, the format aimed to benefit teams with limited resources by minimizing the need for extra mechanics and cutting travel expenses.
Despite these intentions, feedback from prominent drivers suggests dissatisfaction with the current system’s impact on performance and strategy development. In response, NASCAR plans to extend group practice sessions to 25 minutes for the 2025 season. Furthermore, select events will feature longer practice opportunities.
For example, the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Circuit of The Americas will include two 20-minute sessions, providing teams with extra time for adjustments.
While Christopher Bell has criticized the practice format, NASCAR appears committed to enhancing it, indicating their belief in its potential value for competition and team preparedness.
Other Drivers’ Views on NASCAR’s Practice Format
How do other NASCAR drivers feel about the current practice format? Christopher Bell’s critique resonates with several peers.
Michael McDowell, for instance, advocates for eliminating practice sessions entirely. He argues that more practice time disproportionately benefits larger teams, such as Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske, due to their superior resources and ability to optimize car setups.
“I wish we didn’t have practice at all.” – (McDowell)
“I think any time that they give us more time to practice, the bigger teams do a better job of maximizing their car potential and setup.” – (McDowell)
McDowell suggests that practice sessions are unnecessary and that smaller teams, despite recent successes at tracks like Daytona, are disadvantaged by extended practice scenarios.
Similarly, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. questions the necessity of practice sessions, particularly for larger teams. He believes that the car’s setup direction remains consistent across different tracks, rendering extensive practice redundant.
“If you start stretching that out, the big teams definitely start collecting more data on a weekend.” – (Stenhouse Jr.)
Stenhouse also contends that supplementary practice merely enables bigger teams to gather more data, which could widen the competitive gap.
NASCAR’s Future Direction and Practice Expansion
As NASCAR looks to the future, the organization is making substantial changes to its practice format, opting to expand practice sessions starting in 2025.
This decision comes alongside a ban on private testing, with penalties for those who defy it. The expanded practice sessions aim to provide a structured environment for teams to refine their strategies, improve performance, and guarantee a more level playing field.
While some drivers, such as Christopher Bell, Michael McDowell, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., advocate for reduced practice to simplify race weekends and cut costs, NASCAR’s approach suggests a different focus.
News in Brief: Christopher Bell Criticizes NASCAR’s Practice Sessions
Christopher Bell’s criticism of NASCAR’s practice sessions highlights a growing concern among drivers about the effectiveness of the current format. While NASCAR acknowledges these concerns and is considering changes, opinions vary among drivers regarding the necessity and structure of these sessions.
The organization is exploring ways to improve practice formats to better meet drivers’ needs. As NASCAR looks to the future, balancing tradition with innovation will be essential in ensuring the sport’s continued growth and competitiveness.
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