Christopher Bell’s Daytona 500 pursuit remains one of the most closely watched stories in NASCAR as he returns to the iconic race in 2026, driven by a determination forged by near-misses and heartbreaks. The Norman, Oklahoma native narrowly missed victory in previous attempts, most heartbreakingly when a late crash ended his chance of winning the 68th edition at Daytona International Speedway, yet he returns with fresh hope and intense focus.
Bell, recognized for consistent performances and a relentless drive for improvement, is chasing not just another strong season but the elusive Cup Series championship—and a Daytona 500 win that has slipped from his grasp despite repeated contention.
Reflections on the 2025 Season and the Daytona Setback
The 2025 NASCAR season marked a career-high for Bell with four wins and 22 top-10 finishes, matching champion Kyle Larson. He also delivered a series-leading average finish of 11.2, yet felt his campaign fell short of its potential after Daytona’s disappointment. The heartbreak from the Daytona 500 was particularly stinging, as Bell was running at the front of the pack, only to be taken out by a crash on Lap 195.
“I was in position to win,”
Christopher Bell, driver, Joe Gibbs Racing, recalled.
“I was in the front of the pack and unfortunately got wrecked out. But it’s a place that anybody can win at any time.”
His finishes at Daytona in 2023 and 2024, both third place, demonstrated his ability but didn’t bring the ultimate prize. Bell’s frustration was evident, especially considering what might have been with a cleaner finish.
“We’ve seen that over the years.”
— Christopher Bell, driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
Responding to Adversity with Dominance and Persistence
Rather than letting disappointment linger, Bell channeled his frustration into a remarkable response. His immediate reaction to the Daytona 500 crash was to capture three straight race victories, quickly establishing himself and the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 car as top contenders. This positive momentum, however, hit a lull midseason. Despite securing another win at Phoenix in March, Bell endured a long stretch of 24 races with frequent top-10s but no victories until his win at Bristol in September.
“I’m proud of the 2025 season,”
Christopher Bell, driver, Joe Gibbs Racing, said.
“I just need to do a little bit better job of capitalizing on the opportunities that we have to win.”
A Leading Light Among NASCAR’s Young Stars
Now 31, Bell is regarded as one of the standout members of NASCAR’s acclaimed 2020 rookie class. Since achieving his inaugural Cup Series win at Daytona’s road course in 2021—a race created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic—Bell has added twelve more victories, outpacing fellow rookies such as Tyler Reddick and Cole Custer. Reddick boasts eight wins, while Custer has visited Victory Lane only once.
Bell credits much of this success to the collaboration with Joe Gibbs Racing, led by the Hall of Fame owner who has seen many drivers reach their peak under his watch.
“In this sport, you’re only as good as the race car you’re in,”
Christopher Bell, driver, Joe Gibbs Racing, emphasized.
Drawing Parallels to Oklahoma’s Football Journey
Brought up in Norman, Bell sees his racing odyssey echoing the experiences of the Oklahoma Sooners football team—a squad that, after several challenging years, made the 2025 College Football Playoff but suffered a heartbreaking home defeat despite early dominance against Alabama. Bell finds inspiration in the Sooners’ journey and sees a mirror for his own quest in NASCAR: progress marred by setbacks but driven by the aim to get a little bit better with each outing.
“It’s been rough a little bit for us, but we had a pretty good season this year,”
Christopher Bell, driver, Joe Gibbs Racing, said.
“It’s kind of like me. We have to build on it and try and get a little bit better.”
How NASCAR’s Format Changes Could Aid Bell’s Quest
The 2026 season comes with significant rule changes: NASCAR has eliminated the elimination playoff format, returning to a 10-race Chase where the champion is determined by the most points accrued across the final stretch. Now, the top sixteen drivers from the regular season enter the chase, and whoever has the highest points following the Homestead-Miami Speedway finale on November 8 is crowned champion. This newly restored format rewards steady, consistent performance—an area where Bell has already shown strength.
Learning from Teammates and Past Setbacks
Bell’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Denny Hamlin, saw a championship slip away in 2025 despite six wins and commanding the Phoenix finale until a late caution spoiled his title hopes. Bell absorbed this lesson as well, understanding just how quickly fortunes can shift—and how a single mishap can undo an otherwise stellar season.
“All of us thought that Denny did everything right to win the championship, and it just didn’t work out for him,”
Christopher Bell, driver, Joe Gibbs Racing, observed.
“Hopefully we get on track to being able to reward the right guy for the championship.”
Pushing Forward: Daytona as the Next Chapter
With a new season on the horizon and a more forgiving championship format, Christopher Bell’s Daytona 500 pursuit carries renewed significance. He is ready to capitalize on the consistency and tenacity honed over years of setbacks and near misses—both vital for a driver at the front of NASCAR’s youth movement. Motivated by previous disappointments, Bell is determined to seize upcoming opportunities.
“Hopefully I get to continue writing my storybook here that I’ve got going on,”
Christopher Bell, driver, Joe Gibbs Racing, said. Hopefully I’m just getting started.
Bell’s journey is now set against a backdrop of format reform and the experience of repeated close calls. The next Daytona 500 is more than another race; it is a defining moment in his quest for greatness, and a chance for Christopher Bell to finally break through.
