At the prestigious Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the High Limit Racing season opener between Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson was expected to be an exciting battle, and the motorsport community was giddy with excitement. Some of NASCAR’s biggest names have burned rubber on the track of this prestigious racing series, which Larson and his sprint car adversary Brad Sweet co-own. However, Christopher Bell, an Oklahoman, was expected to make his debut, which would lend even more excitement to the occasion. But fate had different ideas. Mother Nature decided to step in a few hours before the engines were ready to scream to life, so Bell had to leave the event. Larson is still anticipated to participate in the eagerly anticipated event in spite of the setback.
Due to heavy weather, Bell’s chances of making his High Limit Racing debut were dashed. The driver, who has won three of the last four Cup Series races, has been in outstanding form, and fans were excitedly preparing to see him. Unfortunately, Friday’s High Limit Racing event had to be canceled due to the Truck Series race Ecosave 200 being delayed by the intense rainstorms. The 30-year-old racer was greatly impacted by the decision to move the race to Saturday, which was the only option available to the event organizers. Many fans held out hope that Bell could still make his eagerly awaited debut in spite of the delay. Bell, regrettably, chose to retire.
His participation in the High Limit Racing race depended on his commitments to Joe Gibbs Racing as well as on fair weather. “Huge bummer,” as Jeff Gluck, a NASCAR journalist for “The Athletic,” put it. It appears that Bell will not be making his High Limit debut this weekend. Bell’s priorities were clear, even if it meant making a controversial choice, because the Pennzoil 400 was on the horizon. Even though Bell enjoys dirt racing, he knows he is about to make history. Jimmie Johnson last won four consecutive Cup Series races in 2007, and Bell is about to do again.
With a strong start to the season, Bell is keen on taking advantage of every opportunity while momentum is on his side. Given the circumstances, it’s hardly surprising that he’s unwilling to risk his playoff hopes by putting himself in danger of an injury. Bell’s withdrawal indicates a shift in his mindset: from being resentful for not being allowed to race on dirt tracks last year, the JGR #20 appears to have accepted Joe Gibbs’ decision to allow him to race by demonstrating his clear sense of priority.
Bell seems to have taken a leaf out of Kyle Larson’s book, who last year failed in his ‘double’ attempt. Larson missed the Coca-Cola 600 due to poor weather and had to seek a waiver from NASCAR to keep his championship hopes alive. Bell, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, clearly does not want to jeopardize his chances in the Pennzoil 400 by risking an injury in the High Limit Racing event the night before his Cup Series race. Bell revealed in the pre-race press conference that the decision to withdraw was a mutual one between him and his team. He emphasized that while Joe Gibbs Racing had been supportive of his participation, the geographical location and the risk of potential injuries were significant factors in his withdrawal decision.
Missing out on his High Limit Racing debut is simply one more setback in Bell’s already difficult career. His mature choice to step back, nevertheless, shows that he is concentrated on the bigger picture. The No. 20 Toyota driver may win the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the fourth time in a row as he continues to show off his skills on the track and decides not to risk his chances of qualifying for the playoffs. However, it remains to be seen if his sacrifice will be worthwhile.
