Christopher Bell’s Rising Dominance in NASCAR
Christopher Bell made a bold statement after his victory at the Shriners Children’s 500, confidently asking, “How about that one, race fans?” His win wasn’t just luck—it was a showcase of skill and strategy. Despite starting in 11th place, Bell’s alternative tire strategy paid off, allowing him to surge through the field. In the final restart, he outmaneuvered Denny Hamlin, forcing his veteran teammate into a visibly frustrated reaction.
However, what many don’t know is that a seemingly minor pre-race moment may have fueled Bell’s determination.
During FS1’s pre-race grid walk, reporters skipped over Bell, opting instead to interview Hamlin. Bell, standing right there, couldn’t help but call it out in a lighthearted yet pointed remark: “Oh wow, y’all are walking right past me, huh?” NASCAR insider Eric Estepp noted that Bell has been growing into a more outspoken leader, no longer content with being overlooked.
Bell’s Leadership Emerges at JGR
Since Kyle Busch’s departure, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has been in a period of transition. Hamlin remains the senior figure, but Bell is delivering results. His win at Phoenix ended JGR’s victory drought since New Hampshire, and his stats are now on par with Hamlin’s.
In 2023, Hamlin won three races compared to Bell’s two. By 2024, both had three victories each. But in 2025, Bell has already secured three wins early in the season, while Hamlin has struggled, with Phoenix marking his best finish so far. In a thrilling photo finish at Phoenix, Bell edged out Hamlin by just 0.049 seconds, making history with the closest Cup Series finish at the track since 2016.
Bell is now on a streak that few drivers in the Next Gen era have matched, with only Kyle Larson achieving similar success in 2021. If he wins a fourth straight race, he’ll join an elite group—only eight drivers in NASCAR history have accomplished such a feat.
Potential Tensions at Joe Gibbs Racing
While Bell’s rise is exciting, it could lead to tension within JGR. Team owner Joe Gibbs acknowledged the possibility, jokingly admitting he was nervous about the rivalry between his drivers. “I was ready to upchuck,” he said, noting that close battles between teammates often lead to heated meetings. Still, he appreciated the hard, clean racing between Bell and Hamlin.
Bell, on the other hand, knows exactly what he wants this season. At 30 years old, he sees this as his prime opportunity to deliver for himself and his team. “It’s time to start putting it all together,” he stated. If Hamlin doesn’t step up, he risks falling behind—much like Mark Martin did in his later years.
NASCAR has always favored drivers with strong personalities, and Bell is realizing that winning alone may not be enough—he needs to make his presence felt both on and off the track.
Chasing the Cup Series Championship
Now in his sixth full-time Cup Series season, Bell has a clear goal: winning his first championship. He has already proven himself on various track types this year, and unlike last season—where desperation at Martinsville led to a controversial wall ride and disqualification—he now seems poised to turn that determination into results.
Bell acknowledges that racing success comes in waves, and right now, he’s riding a high. With the upcoming Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas, he sees another strong opportunity. “This part of the schedule lines up really good for me,” he said, making it clear that he has no plans of slowing down.
