Christopher Bell kept his cool at New Hampshire Motor Speedway while Joe Gibbs Racing faced internal chaos. Ty Gibbs caused friction early in stage two, tangling with Denny Hamlin and adding tension to the Toyota camp. Despite the drama, Bell stayed composed, finishing as the top Toyota driver in sixth place. His measured approach contrasts sharply with his teammates’ frustrations, as Bell’s playoff points position—29 above the elimination line—affords him confidence heading into the next rounds at Kansas and the Charlotte Roval, where he has previously excelled.
Key Highlights
- Christopher Bell finished sixth, top Toyota finisher at New Hampshire.
- Bell remained positive despite JGR’s internal tension involving Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin.
- Ty Gibbs and Bubba Wallace struggled; Reddick suffered brake issues, finishing 21st.
- Bell credits past success at Bristol, Kansas, and Charlotte Roval for optimism.
- Ford drivers dominated; Ryan Blaney won, Joey Logano led most laps.
Christopher Bell’s Composure Amid Chaos
While Team Penske dominated with Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano leading a combined 265 laps, Bell focused on maximizing points rather than contending directly with the Fords. After the race, Bell explained his calmer demeanor compared to his frustrated outburst at Gateway:
“I know a lot of people are going to look at me and say, ‘How can I be frustrated at Gateway and not today?’ Well, this weekend really was a whole different story. We just didn’t have the pace. We walked out of here with a lot of points, so I think it was a successful day.” – Christopher Bell
Bell’s measured approach reflects a strategic mindset, prioritizing playoff stability over emotional reaction to the chaos around him. The young driver remains confident heading into races where he has historically performed well.
Looking Ahead to Kansas and Charlotte
Bell’s optimism is fueled by past performances on tracks similar to upcoming playoff events. In May 2025, he nearly won at Kansas, finishing less than a second behind Kyle Larson. At the Charlotte Roval, Bell secured a victory in 2022, demonstrating his skill on complex road courses.
“I feel good about our performance at the next two…Yeah, Kansas is very similar to what we had at Darlington, so hopefully we do good. I think we can. And then surely the Roval is a road course we’re definitely strong at. Optimistic – you never know until you get through them. But today was a good day and off to a good start in the Round of 12.” – Christopher Bell
Bell’s focus on point accumulation and past experience positions him as a consistent threat, even as other Toyota drivers falter.
Struggles for 23XI Racing
While Bell maintained composure, 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace faced setbacks. Reddick started fourth but battled soft brake pedal issues, ultimately finishing 21st. He summarized the disappointment succinctly:
“The way the race started, I thought we were going to be able to run in the top 10 all day. But between the brake issues we had and – it just got away quick. The balance went away, and the next thing you know, we were trying to battle for 20th. Just a terrible day.” – Tyler Reddick
Bubba Wallace, who qualified 14th, also struggled with track position and finished 26th.
“Just a miss all around, really. We couldn’t really seem to get things going. Our best run lasted for five laps, the caution came out, and then it was just right back to no good. I hate it. I felt really optimistic and marched forward at the start, and it just never really went anywhere…We kind of plateaued lap 5, and that was it. I hate that. It’s just a head scratcher.” – Bubba Wallace
Both drivers are now near the base of the playoff grid, with Reddick 23 points below the elimination line and Wallace 27 points out, highlighting the challenges facing Toyota as Ford surges ahead.
News in Brief: Christopher Bell Handles Chaos Gracefully as JGR Faces Drama
Christopher Bell emerged as the happiest Toyota driver at New Hampshire, finishing sixth and 29 points above the playoff elimination line. Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin tangled early, causing friction within Joe Gibbs Racing, while Bell maintained composure. Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace struggled, finishing 21st and 26th due to brake issues and track position problems. Team Penske dominated with Ryan Blaney winning and Joey Logano leading 149 laps. With Kansas and the Charlotte Roval approaching, Toyota drivers aim to recover.
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