Christopher Bell, fresh off his All-Star Race victory at North Wilkesboro Speedway, is suddenly facing a significant adjustment as a Joe Gibbs Racing crew chief change for Christopher Bell was announced this week. With just days left before the 66th Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, Bell is preparing to work with a new crew leader in one of NASCAR’s most grueling crown jewel events.
Unexpected Crew Chief Departure Leaves Bell Reeling
The departure of Stevie Reeves from Christopher Bell’s No. 20 team came as an unexpected development that caught many, including Bell, completely off guard. The news broke following Bell’s celebration at North Wilkesboro, prompting questions about the reasons and timing behind Reeves’ exit. Bell addressed the surprise, confirming the abrupt nature of the decision:
“I was surprised as well. It was all Stevie. He made the decision to quit.”
—Christoper Bell, Driver
With Reeves out, Matt Philpott will step in as Bell’s new crew chief. Philpott brings experience from his prior tenures with Reaume Brothers Racing, Joey Gase Motorsports, as well as stints as interior mechanic and tire specialist for Denny Hamlin. This abrupt change requires Bell to quickly build rapport with Philpott as the team prepares for the high-pressure event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Bell and Philpott Work to Build Chemistry Ahead of Charlotte
As the defending winner of the Coca-Cola 600, Bell faces the challenge of adapting to a brand-new spotter and crew chief dynamic in minimal time. In advance of race day, Bell has committed to extra preparation with Philpott, including working together during Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Charlotte, to improve their communication and teamwork.
“We had a really good exercise this week doing an iRace, with him spotting me, and I felt like that was really good to learn his language and what he means when he says certain things,”
said the Oklahoma native during a recent interview. (via Motorsport) —Christopher Bell, Driver
“The team wanted something a little bit different, so I thought the iRacing experience was really good, and hopefully, we get a little bit closer during the Xfinity race, but I’m sure it will be a period of time, through many races, before we are fully in sync,”
he added. —Christopher Bell, Driver
The urgency to get in sync is heightened by the stakes of Sunday’s 400-lap contest, which will also see its first broadcast on Amazon Prime Video—a milestone for NASCAR’s digital presence. Fans can tune in to PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for comprehensive coverage, starting at 6 pm ET.
Other Teams Face Leadership Shuffles for the Big Race
Christopher Bell is not the only contender dealing with sudden team changes. Brad Keselowski, the No. 6 driver for RFK Racing, will partner with Todd Brewer as his crew chief for the first time in the iconic Charlotte event. The shift comes as TJ Majors, Keselowski’s long-time crew chief, temporarily steps back for medical reasons, as shared on the Dale Jr. Download podcast:
“I’ve got a little procedure coming up this week, and I’ll be out for probably about a month,”
Majors told Dale Earnhardt Jr. (17:17).
“Hopefully, I’ll be back for good after that and not have to worry about it anymore.”
—TJ Majors, Crew Chief
For race day, Keselowski will line up 35th on the grid, while Bell secured a top-10 qualifying position, sharing Row 5 with Alex Bowman from Hendrick Motorsports. As these drivers and their restructured teams tackle the demanding Charlotte oval, adaptability and quick collaboration will be crucial factors in determining their Coca-Cola 600 fate.
The Joe Gibbs Racing crew chief change for Christopher Bell not only alters the outlook for Sunday’s marquee event, but also adds a layer of uncertainty to his championship prospects moving forward. As Bell and his team adjust, all eyes will be on their ability to adapt under pressure in one of motorsport’s most iconic settings.
