Following his Christopher Bell New Hampshire victory, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver brought humor to his recent media session, referencing a headline-making slip from the prior season, when he unintentionally leaked driver news at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Arriving at the same venue a year later, Bell made light of last year’s incident, stressing he had nothing to reveal this time, while fans and the NASCAR community awaited comments about the team’s future lineup.
Bell Playfully Addresses Previous News Leak at Press Conference
Last season, as speculation around driver changes at Joe Gibbs Racing swirled, Christopher Bell fueled the rumors by prematurely naming Chase Briscoe as a potential replacement for Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 19 car during a press appearance. The revelation created quite a stir, prompting the team to issue an official statement soon after to clarify the situation. This year, Bell returned to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway with the incident still fresh in everyone’s minds. During a media session, he amused the press by referencing his previous slip, stating:
“I do not have any news to share.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
Currently, Bell sits in a strong position heading into the NASCAR playoffs’ Round of 8, entering as the fourth-seeded driver and holding a solid 20-point buffer above the elimination line. This advantageous standing underscores his consistent performance throughout the season, making him one of the key contenders alongside his teammates.
A Tradition of Lobster Trophies and Multiple Wins at New Hampshire
One unique highlight of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway is the tradition of awarding race winners a giant lobster named Loudon, a custom dating back to 2010. Christopher Bell is no stranger to this ritual; he first captured victory — and a lobster — on the track in 2022, and added another to his collection with his recent 2024 triumph. Reflecting on the size and significance of the prize, Bell beamed during the presentation:
“This is bigger than my first one! For sure. This is a massive guy. Thank you. Let’s do this again next year.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
The continued success at New Hampshire highlights Bell’s adaptability at the venue and his ongoing prominence within the Joe Gibbs Racing organization.
Bell’s Dominance in Recent Playoff Rounds
Aside from his New Hampshire achievements, Bell secured a pivotal win at Bristol Motor Speedway, the final contest of the Round of 12, contributing to a clean sweep for Joe Gibbs Racing in that segment of the playoffs. The Bristol race was grueling, marked by 14 caution flags across 500 laps and widespread tire issues. Nonetheless, Bell’s perseverance paid off as he finished ahead of a competitive field, demonstrating both resilience and skill under pressure.
Discussing the team’s efforts and performance, Bell took the opportunity at the New Hampshire media gathering to credit those involved in the JGR and Toyota Racing programs:
“It’s pretty impressive. I don’t think any of us expected the Round of 16 to start the way that it did. But, I mean it’s just the credit to Joe Gibbs Racing folks, Toyota, and Toyota Racing Development, and it’s not an overnight thing. It’s a lot of effort put in by a lot of different people that have gave us the performance that we have. And then, once you have that performance it comes down to the teams executing the races, and doing the right things.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
Playoff Picture and the Road Ahead
As the Playoffs continue, Bell is considered a top contender for the championship, joining teammates Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe in the spotlight. Their combined efforts have Joe Gibbs Racing as a standout organization this season, with Toyota and Toyota Racing Development receiving praise for their contributions to on-track success. The upcoming rounds will prove crucial as Bell maintains his momentum and aims for another memorable run, keeping supporters and the wider NASCAR audience keenly interested in every development.
NHMS presents Christopher Bell with his lobster for winning here last year: pic.twitter.com/J2dzrAfkuH
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) September 20, 2025
