Christopher Bell Voices Frustration Amid Underperformance at Joe Gibbs Racing
Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing expressed ongoing dissatisfaction with his team’s performance heading into this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Despite finishing seventh at World Wide Technology Raceway last weekend, Bell emphasized that the results do not reflect the potential of his No. 20 team.
“I don’t think it’s about winning races,” Bell stated. “If I were consistently leading laps and in a position to win, I wouldn’t be frustrated. The reality is I haven’t been in those positions.”
His frustration peaked post-race at St. Louis, where he criticized the team’s pit strategy: “We just [expletive] ran seventh with the best car on the track. Every [expletive] week it’s the same [expletive].” While acknowledging the success of crew chief Adam Stevens in the past, Bell voiced concern over their strategic choices, particularly the timing of pit stops.
This season, Bell has not only lagged in results but also observed his teammates—Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe—dominate races, with both securing four wins in the last twelve events. “If your teammates are out there winning races, it shows that the cars are capable,” Bell remarked. “I haven’t been leading laps or winning races, so something is clearly off.”
Heading into Bristol, Bell holds a 32-point advantage over the cutline, putting him in a favorable position for the upcoming playoff round. He remains hopeful that team discussions following his outburst will lead to improved performance. “I think we’re in a really good spot,” he noted, indicating that his worries are part of the competitive atmosphere, but remain focused on achieving consistent results.
As the postseason unfolds, Bell seeks to convert his frustrations into performance, emphasizing the need to align results with the capabilities of his team and equipment.
