Bell Reflects on Elimination as NASCAR Playoffs Approach
Christopher Bell, driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, is moving forward after his elimination from the NASCAR Cup Series postseason in 2024, a result of a controversial call during the Round of 8 at Martinsville Speedway.
In a critical face-off with William Byron for the final championship spot, the two drivers finished tied on points. However, NASCAR ruled that Bell’s contact with the wall on the final lap— deemed illegal following Ross Chastain’s maneuver in 2022— cost him a chance at advancing. “You’re not guaranteed anything, and that was a friendly reminder of that,” Bell stated.
The incident occurred as Bell attempted to overtake Bubba Wallace, leading to the wall contact. Adding to the controversy, Byron’s Chevrolet team received support from other drivers, affecting the outcome.
Having reached the Championship 4 in the previous two seasons, Bell now shifts focus as the No. 5 seed for the upcoming playoffs, carrying over 20 playoff points. “I definitely feel calmer this year than I have in years past,” he remarked. “I remember being very nervous… now I feel calm, and I’m excited.”
This season began strong for Bell, with three victories in the first month. However, his performance declined significantly: in the first 16 races, he secured three wins and 11 top-10 finishes, leading 153 laps, but in the final 10 races of the regular season, he had only three top-10 finishes and led just 72 laps.
As the team prepares for a championship bid at Phoenix Raceway, Bell emphasized the crew’s resilience: “This [No.] 20 team, [crew chief] Adam Stevens, these mechanics, these engineers have just done a really good job of showing up when it matters the most. I have all the confidence in the world that they’ll do the same thing again.”
