Christopher Bell, the celebrated Joe Gibbs Racing driver, gave fans a hilarious surprise when his wife, Morgan, shared the story of his first ever alcoholic drink. This memorable event occurred after Bell’s victory at the Charlotte Roval in 2022, where, in keeping with NASCAR’s longstanding traditions, he was honored with a champagne toast. Unlike many of his competitors, Christopher Bell is known for steering clear of alcohol, making this event particularly noteworthy, especially for fans who see him as the sport’s steadfast Mr. Nice Guy.
In a recent interview, Morgan Bell revealed just how unexpected the moment was. Following his important win at the Charlotte Roval, Christopher Bell and his wife were ushered into the Speedway Club, a place where a celebratory atmosphere dominates after big races. There, in front of fans and Marcus Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc., Christopher Bell was handed a glass of champagne for an official toast.
“They make a super big deal out of it. They take you up to the Speedway Club after Victory Lane. We didn’t know this, but they do a champagne toast,”
Morgan recalled, highlighting just how unfamiliar the couple was with the ritual.
Morgan continued with a laugh,
“So, all these people pay to eat at the Speedway Club, and there are fans in there. Marcus Smith is doing this toast, and they hand Christopher a glass of champagne. And here he is taking his first ever drink of alcohol on a stage.”
For someone who avoids alcohol altogether, standing in front of a cheering crowd and drinking for the first time made for a truly unique experience.
Both Christopher Bell and Morgan are united in their choice to abstain from alcohol, a preference rooted in personal values. Morgan has even shared that she dislikes the smell and finds alcohol unappealing, noting they celebrated their 2020 wedding without any alcohol present.
“Sometimes, if race fans who have already been having fun get a little too close, I’m like, ‘I can smell you and I don’t like that,’”
she admitted. Their decisions have sometimes puzzled fans but underline their individuality.
Other insights from the interview added to the couple’s appeal, revealing Christopher Bell’s preference for his full name over “Chris,” as well as their enthusiasm for growing their family in the future. Morgan confirmed,
“We definitely do! We definitely do want kids, it’s just a matter of when, I guess.”
With several fellow drivers, like Kyle Larson and Kevin Harvick, already seeing their children enter motorsports, fans are eager to see what the future holds for Christopher Bell, not just on the track, but in his personal life—especially after such a memorable and lighthearted first drink story.
