In Avondale, Arizona, Christopher Bell’s partnership with crew chief Adam Stevens didn’t start smoothly. Initial struggles to find the right setups and secure results were a cause for concern for Bell, who was still navigating the early stages of his NASCAR Cup Series career. However, Stevens remained confident. Having previously clinched a championship with Kyle Busch, he recognized Bell’s potential for a successful career at Joe Gibbs Racing.
Reflecting on his beginning with Stevens, Bell shared a pivotal moment from 2021. He recalled sitting in Stevens’ office, where the crew chief reassured him, drawing from his experiences with Busch. Stevens was confident they could replicate past successes in their current scenario.
Stevens’ confidence was not misplaced. Under his guidance, Bell emerged as one of the leading drivers in the Cup Series. His breakthrough win at the Daytona International Speedway road course in 2021 marked the start of a strong trajectory. Bell has maintained a record of at least two victories each season over the past four years and reached the final four in both the 2022 and 2023 Cup Series Championships.
Despite a lull after winning in New Hampshire last June, Bell and Stevens have been dominant as the 2025 season opened. Bell snapped a 19-race winless streak with a victory in Atlanta. He followed up with triumphs at the Circuit of the Americas road course in Texas, and most recently, secured a win on Phoenix Raceway’s flat mile oval.
This impressive feat makes Bell the first to win three consecutive races in the NextGen car since its 2022 debut. He’s also joined an elite group of drivers by winning three of the season’s first four races—the first to do so since Kevin Harvick in 2018.
Reviewing last season, Stevens noted their numerous missed opportunities despite having done everything necessary to succeed. This season, however, their efforts are yielding better results, as seen by three wins in their first four races.
A significant reason for Bell’s upward trajectory is Stevens’ contribution. With racing roots in Ohio and an early foray into NASCAR designing for Petty Enterprises, Stevens joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2005. He became a crew chief for JGR’s No. 20 Xfinity car, and later achieved success with Kyle Busch, accumulating 19 Xfinity wins and securing the 2015 Cup Series championship.
In 2021, Stevens took the helm as crew chief for Bell’s No. 20 car, and despite a challenging start, they soon found their rhythm.
Joe Gibbs, the owner of JGR, praised the duo, recognizing their hard work and shared talent. Since taking on the role, Stevens has guided teams to the final four numerous times, underscoring his expertise.
Now, Bell stands on the brink of joining an exclusive club if he wins the upcoming race in Las Vegas. This would make him the first driver to win four consecutive races since Jimmie Johnson’s remarkable 2007 season. While Richard Petty’s longstanding record of 10 consecutive wins from 1967 remains out of reach for now, being compared to a legendary seven-time Cup Series champion like Johnson is no small feat.
Acknowledging this unique opportunity, Bell expressed both disbelief and excitement as he looks forward to potentially furthering his winning streak, bolstered by Stevens’ support.
