Christopher Bell NASCAR performance consistency has become a topic of conversation among racing insiders as Bell continues to deliver strong results in the NASCAR Cup Series. While the Joe Gibbs Racing driver hasn’t secured a win since Phoenix earlier this season, his regular presence at the front of the field signals a persistent threat as the postseason approaches.
Bell’s Rise Through the Ranks and Recent Results
Since his early days racing on dirt and later transitioning to asphalt, Christopher Bell has been pushing the limits behind the wheel. After falling short of the Championship 4 last year, Bell began the current season with a difficult outing at Daytona, finishing in 31st place. However, he quickly rebounded by securing consecutive victories at Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas (COTA), and Phoenix.
Despite the Phoenix race marking his most recent trip to victory lane, Bell has shown remarkable resilience. Over 26 regular-season starts, he has accumulated nine top-five finishes, 14 top-10s, and four times has finished second. The No. 20 Chris Gabehart, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Director of Competition, has urged teams not to overlook Bell’s quiet strength this season. While speaking with Steve Post and Todd Gordon on Motor Racing Network, Gabehart highlighted that Bell and his crew chief, Adam Stevens, have a tendency to
“get hot at the right time”
during pivotal moments.
“We’ve seen it time and time again from that group, getting hot at the right time and really just able to capitalize on any given moment, any given week. So, they’ve definitely hit a stretch here where that’s not happened, but the performance has been there.”
—Chris Gabehart, Director of Competition, Joe Gibbs Racing
Gabehart also pointed to Bell’s competitiveness at Watkins Glen, where Bell took a runner-up finish, as well as Joe Gibbs Racing’s collective strength on road courses. Bell contributed to JGR’s solid record, taking one of the two second-place finishes, while the team added a win at COTA and consistent podium runs at other venues.
At Dover, Bell came close to victory once again but spun while attempting a pass on a teammate. This mistake cost him a shot at the win, yet it showcased his drive and respect in on-track battles.
“But I say all that to say, I think the performance is there. And Todd, as you know, the performance is what you really have to measure because the results can be really, really fickle. And that team’s just got to stay the course, and I think they’ll be just fine.”
—Chris Gabehart, Director of Competition, Joe Gibbs Racing
A Track Record of Making Playoff Runs
Bell’s impressive consistency extends over the course of his six-year tenure in NASCAR’s premier series. He missed the playoffs only in his rookie season with Leavine Family Racing in 2020. In the past three years, Bell has capped each campaign inside the top five, reaching the Championship 4 in both 2022 and 2023.
Last season, a controversial penalty at Martinsville for a wall-riding maneuver, echoing Ross Chastain’s now-banned move, dropped Bell from 18th to 22nd and prevented him from reaching the season finale for a third consecutive year. Despite setbacks, Bell’s focus remains firmly set on the ultimate goal as he heads into another postseason battle.
What Lies Ahead for Christopher Bell
With the playoffs looming, Christopher Bell aims to capitalize on his consistent speed and previous championship-level performances. His ability to maintain strong finishes and get “hot at the right time,” as Chris Gabehart describes, keeps Bell in the thick of the championship hunt. Observers and competitors alike remain attentive to his potential for another breakthrough in the coming weeks.
