Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Tony Stewart, NASCAR, Cup Series, Christopher Bell dirt racing advantages [Image Source: HEARSTAPPS]
Christopher Bell, who began his full-time NASCAR Cup Series journey in 2020, has discussed how his background in dirt racing gives him and others with similar experience a unique edge on the track. Insights into these Christopher Bell dirt racing advantages illuminate why competitors such as Kyle Larson, Tony Stewart, and others have excelled under specific racing conditions.
Bell’s Approach to Racing Different Competitors
Bell’s early years spent dominating dirt tracks continue to shape his approach in NASCAR today. Even after joining the Cup Series, he frequently competes off-pavement to maintain his skills. Bell has emphasized that he adjusts his tactics depending on whether he’s racing drivers with dirt experience, like Kyle Larson, or those whose careers have been focused solely on pavements, such as Kevin Harvick.
In a 2021 interview with Frontstretch, Bell explained the strategic nuances he applies while racing in the Cup Series. He pointed out that understanding each driver’s tendencies is vital on the track, and the strategies must shift accordingly. He stated,
“I think it’s just their tendencies. In the series, you get to learn about other drivers’ tendencies and what they do. And you know that if you have [Kyle] Larson lining up behind you, you don’t want to give him the top. If you have Kevin Harvick lining up behind you, you don’t want to give him the bottom.”
— Christopher Bell
According to Bell, racers who excelled on dirt are more likely to shift their racing lines and test different paths on the track. In contrast, drivers who have only mastered paved surfaces tend to stay in a single lane, making it simpler to defend against them. Bell summed up this mindset by saying,
Image of: Christopher Bell
“It’s just you gotta know who you’re racing, and that’s part of the game, for sure,”
— Christopher Bell. By 2025, Bell had amassed four Cup Series victories, advancing to the Round of 8 in the playoffs, further underscoring the utility of his adaptable racing style.
Dirt Racing Skills Give Cup Series Drivers an Edge
Drivers coming from dirt backgrounds, such as Bell and Kyle Larson, are known for their ability to adapt quickly on the track. The typical NASCAR Cup Series competitor, especially those with only pavement experience, often struggles with the unique demands of road courses. The Next Gen car’s weight challenges make corner exits difficult, forcing drivers to slow down considerably to maintain control. This deceleration can lead to a loss of speed on straight sections of the course.
The trick, as mastered by dirt racers, is to expertly slide through corners while managing throttle control. This method brings a significant performance boost. Chase Briscoe noted this similarity in 2024, saying,
“You still have more power a lot of the time on exit than you really need, so you’re spinning the tires and you’ve got to really finesse the throttle, which is a lot like dirt racing.”
— Chase Briscoe
He further highlighted,
“Just how you have to really slide the car around and hustle the car is very similar to dirt racing.”
— Chase Briscoe. This technique is a common thread among several Cup Series stars, including Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. Their proficiency in manipulating the car’s movement through shifting lines and throttle finesse—skills honed on dirt—sets them apart in NASCAR’s most demanding conditions.
The Continued Importance of Dirt Racing in NASCAR
Bell’s perspective reinforces the value of a dirt racing background in modern NASCAR. Those with these roots, like Bell, Larson, and Stewart, consistently display greater adaptability, especially when the demands of road courses or shifting track conditions come into play. As more drivers recognize the competitive value of dirt-derived skills, it’s likely that NASCAR will continue to see top contenders forged in the unique challenges of the dirt track environment.
