NASCAR Update: Bell Reflects on Postseason Momentum and Team Challenges
New Hampshire Motor Speedway—Christopher Bell, the latest winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, acknowledges that while victory can temporarily uplift, deeper issues within his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing team remain. Bell clinched his first win since March last week at Bristol Motor Speedway, securing his place in the second round of the playoffs. However, he expressed concerns about his performance, particularly in leading laps.
“Winning helps, but we didn’t lead laps,” Bell stated on Saturday. “Last week felt like a lottery win—we were fortunate under unique circumstances.” Bell’s victory came amidst significant tire management issues that plagued teams early in the Bristol race.
Despite his recent success, Bell has noted the superior performance of teammates Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe. Currently, Briscoe leads the standings with two wins and five stage victories, while Hamlin follows in third with five wins and four stage points. Bell ranks fourth, with four wins and two stage wins, managing to lead just 14 laps during the first playoff round.
To advance further in the postseason, Bell emphasized the necessity of improving qualifying efforts. He remarked, “Qualifying better is mission critical. Our teammates are setting the bar, and we must match that. We’ve made progress, but we need to qualify in the top positions to score stage points and lead laps.”
Overall, Joe Gibbs Racing is in a solid position, having swept the first playoff round, establishing them as early championship favorites. Bell concluded, “We’re in a good spot and focused on keeping this momentum. The schedule suits us well for continued performance.”
As the playoffs progress, Bell and his team aim to refine their qualifying strategies to enhance their competitiveness in upcoming races.
