HAMPTON, Ga. — Following an exhilarating overtime victory at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Christopher Bell is envisioning a successful year with Joe Gibbs Racing. The NASCAR Cup Series win has secured him a spot in the playoffs, sparking optimism for more triumphs as the season progresses.
Bell is far from content with just one win; he has high hopes for his No. 20 team’s potential as the series moves to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Despite starting from a lowly 32nd place on the grid, his stunning performance in Atlanta was unexpected but warmly welcomed.
“Austin is a promising venue for us,” Bell expressed confidence. “We’re barely tapping into the tracks where the 20 car excels, with upcoming challenges at COTA, Phoenix, Vegas, Darlington, and Homestead. These early races are crucial for securing wins and amassing valuable points.”
Entering Atlanta, Bell had modest expectations given the track’s distinctive drafting off-speedway style. However, this victory has significantly bolstered his and the team’s confidence for the remainder of the season.
“Atlanta wasn’t on our shortlist of expected wins,” Bell admitted. “It’s incredibly satisfying to achieve success early, especially at a track we hadn’t initially targeted. With this win under our belt, we’re eager to maintain the momentum.”
Team owner Joe Gibbs emphasized that Bell’s victory is proof of the positive results stemming from recent team changes. With Chris Gayle taking on the role of crew chief for Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 team, and Chris Gabehart being elevated to competition director, along with Tyler Allen becoming crew chief for Ty Gibbs’ No. 54 team, Gibbs is optimistic about these strategic moves.
“We realized our crew chiefs required additional support,” Gibbs mentioned. “Each one is deeply involved with their cars, so appointing Gabehart to oversee operations across teams should streamline efforts.”
Crew chief Adam Stevens sees this victory as setting a high bar for the rest of the season. “It gives us more freedom,” Stevens outlined. “Our expectation is to be front-runners. Even if we hadn’t won, we wouldn’t be overly focused on points for the playoff standings.
“Our primary aim is to capture the regular season championship and accumulate maximum bonus points,” added Stevens.
This marked Joe Gibbs Racing’s first win since Bell’s triumph at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 23, 2024. Bell narrowly beat competitors Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson, securing his sole lap lead in overtime following a crash by Josh Berry.
Bell attributes part of his performance to being granted permission to race sprint cars on dirt tracks during the offseason, maintaining his competitive edge.
“I feel more adept as a driver,” Bell reflected. “Racing throughout the offseason has certainly played a role. Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing remains a dream, and I am thankful for opportunities to race beyond the Cup Series.
“I aspire to make this year exceptional and demonstrate to the team the value of these experiences,” Bell concluded.
