Christopher Bell heads back to Martinsville Speedway this season, determined to secure another of the famed grandfather clocks after missing out in dramatic fashion last year. Eager for redemption and remembering his breakthrough in 2022, Bell is focused on the coveted Christopher Bell Martinsville grandfather clock prize as the last major hurdle before the Championship 4.
Bell’s Painful Finale Last Year Fuels His 2024 Ambition
During the 2023 Martinsville playoff race, Bell started mid-pack in 16th and found himself in 22nd after a bold, last-ditch maneuver on the final lap. Attempting to clinch the final Championship 4 position from William Byron, Bell muscled his way past Bubba Wallace for the extra point he needed. The high-risk move sent his car skidding up into the outer wall, and he scraped along the fence coming out of Turn 4.
After reviewing the incident, NASCAR deemed Bell’s move a safety violation, resulting in a four-position penalty that pushed him down to 22nd place. Byron ended up moving forward to the Championship 4 by four points, closing the door on Bell’s hopes. Bell has made it clear he wants to put the emotional sting of that day behind him, and he is now singularly focused on contending for victory and the storied clock once more in 2024.
The Grandfather Clock: NASCAR’s Most Storied Trophy
The Martinsville grandfather clock, awarded to race winners since Fred Lorenzen’s pole-to-win drive in 1964, stands out as one of NASCAR’s most cherished awards. Each chime, ringing every quarter-hour, serves as a reminder of the accomplishment at the circuit considered the oldest in active rotation. Notable figures in racing, including Richard Petty—Martinsville’s all-time wins leader with 15 victories—have celebrated by taking home the clock. Petty claimed 12 clocks since the tradition’s inception, with three of his conquests occurring before the trophy was instituted.
Bell is aware that matching legends like Richard Petty is a tall order, but he fully understands the importance of Martinsville’s tradition. In an appearance on WXLV-TV, Bell remarked,
“So, it’s historic and Martinsville does such a good job of creating this tradition of the grandfather clock and the winner of the race getting it has become a storied trophy that everyone wants and cherishes.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
He highlighted the uniqueness of Martinsville’s prize, stating,
“And there are only a couple racetracks that have that marquee trophy. You think of uh the Bristol Sword, the Martinsville clock. You have the Lobster at New Hampshire.”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
Continuing the sentiment, Bell added,
“So, there’s only a couple tracks that have their marquee trophy, and that Grandfather clock is definitely top of the list,”
– Christopher Bell, Driver
Championship Stakes Set High for Bell and Joe Gibbs Racing
As the playoff field narrows, Bell finds himself in third place in the standings with a comfortable 37-point advantage over the chase pack—the strongest margin among the six drivers still hoping to seal a Championship 4 berth. Learning from last year’s incident, Bell aims to solidify his place with a clean and dominant performance, rather than a desperate gamble.
A Martinsville win would not only add another grandfather clock to Bell’s collection, but it would also boost the chances for a Joe Gibbs Racing sweep at the Phoenix championship round. His determination reflects the heightened drama as the stakes rise on NASCAR’s iconic short track, and fans and teams alike will watch closely to see if Bell can secure both the prized trophy and his Phoenix ticket this time around.
