Christopher Bell, a prominent driver in the Christopher Bell NASCAR Cup Series, is preparing for the upcoming championship race at Phoenix Raceway after coming close to qualifying for the Championship 4. Despite his strong performance all season, including an average race finish of 11.2 across 35 starts—more than a full position better than his closest rival—Bell narrowly missed advancing in the playoffs. The final playoff spot was claimed by Kyle Larson, who finished just ahead of Bell at Martinsville Speedway last Sunday, locking Bell out of contention for the season’s biggest prize.
Throughout the year, Bell maintained exceptional consistency for Joe Gibbs Racing, outperforming teammates like Chase Briscoe. His tally includes a career-best four victories for the season. Still, even with this impressive record, the 30-year-old from Norman, Oklahoma will not take part in the title-deciding shootout at Phoenix, instead focusing on securing a strong result to close out his year.
Reflection on the Martinsville Race and the Current Playoff Picture
Following the pivotal race at Martinsville, where qualification for the final championship round was determined, Bell openly commented on the team’s performance and the fierce competition among the contenders. He remarked,
“We just weren’t strong enough at Martinsville,”
—Christopher Bell, Driver. He went on,
“We practiced in the teens, we qualified in the teens, and kind of raced back there most of the day.”
—Christopher Bell, Driver.
William Byron played a dominant role at Martinsville by taking the pole, sweeping both stages, and leading the race for a high number of laps, which secured his place in the Championship 4. Denny Hamlin and Briscoe, also of Joe Gibbs Racing, entered the title race by winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, respectively. Coming into Martinsville, Bell held a slim advantage over Larson, but Larson’s fifth-place finish edged out Bell’s seventh-place result, confirming the final list of championship hopefuls.
Even with the disappointment, Bell showed composure and respect for his competitors. He stated,
“I feel content with the results,”
—Christopher Bell, Driver. He added,
“I think the four going there are legitimate contenders. Whoever the champion is, it’s going to be well-deserved. This year there’s four great drivers. All have had championship seasons. Whoever the champion is, it’s going to be well-deserving. I think the format worked out this year.”
—Christopher Bell, Driver.
NASCAR Playoff Changes and Bell’s Adaptability
The NASCAR Cup Series playoff format, which has 16 drivers qualifying based on wins or points during the regular season and narrows the field through three knockout rounds, is poised for potential changes in 2026. Regardless of future alterations, Bell and his fellow drivers will need to adapt their strategies to succeed under whatever new competitive landscape emerges. Bell, who has appeared in consecutive Championship 4 rounds in 2022 and 2023, emphasized his growing experience and readiness for change. He commented,
“I’m definitely more seasoned now. Every year that goes by, you have more experience and understand the name of the game a little bit more and how to play it,”
—Christopher Bell, Driver. He finished,
“Whatever the format ends up being next year, I’ll continue to improve and work within whatever the parameters are. I haven’t reached my ceiling.”
—Christopher Bell, Driver.
Bell’s Performance and History at Phoenix Raceway
As he looks ahead to Phoenix, Bell is set for his 216th career Cup Series start and his twelfth at the desert oval. After placing 24th in his first appearance at Phoenix in March 2020, he has since demonstrated a mastery of the track’s demanding configuration. Notably, Bell has secured two victories in the last three Cup Series events held at Phoenix, including a win during the series’ last visit earlier in the season. Over his appearances, he has led a total of 298 laps there.
Speaking to his confidence at Phoenix, Bell remarked,
“Phoenix is definitely a strong track for us. We know we should be competitive if we execute the way we’re supposed to,”
—Christopher Bell, Driver.
Motivation Remains Strong for a Phoenix Win
Though no longer in the running for the championship, Bell’s determination remains steady as he sets his sights on victory at Phoenix. He emphasized the significance of the race for his team and their partners:
“The motivation is simple. There’s still a lot on the line, there’s a lot of money invested, and we have partners who expect results,”
—Christopher Bell, Driver. He also stressed the importance of living up to the support from Interstate Batteries, DEWALT, and the more than 600 employees at Joe Gibbs Racing:
“Interstate Batteries has been with Joe Gibbs Racing since its very beginning, and they’re on the car at Phoenix, sharing it with DEWALT. Between them and the 600-plus employees at Joe Gibbs Racing that put effort into this racecar, it’s unfair if we don’t put our best foot forward to try and win. There’s still a lot on the line.”
—Christopher Bell, Driver.
Phoenix Weekend Schedule and Broadcast Details
Bell and the rest of the field will begin preparations at Phoenix with a 50-minute practice on Friday afternoon, followed by qualifying on Saturday. Fans can follow all the action with live coverage provided by TruTV and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio throughout the weekend. The NASCAR Cup Series season finale is scheduled to take place on Sunday at 1 p.m. MT, with NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio offering full-coverage as drivers make their final push for glory this year.
For Christopher Bell and his supporters, the Phoenix race serves as a chance for redemption and a demonstration of resilience, closing the season on a high note and building momentum into whatever challenges and changes await in the next chapter of the Christopher Bell NASCAR Cup Series story.
