Christopher Bell’s 2025 season is shaping up to be a career-defining year. By winning three consecutive races and positioning himself as one of the top contenders, he has shown that he belongs among the best in NASCAR
Whether he wins or not, one thing is clear—Christopher Bell is no longer just a good driver; he is a legitimate championship threat.
Regardless of what happens next, his recent performances have earned him respect and solidified his place among NASCAR’s elite. Fans, competitors, and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this incredible journey continues.
Christopher Bell’s candid admission about his resentment toward Joe Gibbs Racing’s dirt racing restriction provides a rare glimpse into the emotional struggles of a professional driver. While the policy was implemented for safety reasons, it also stifled Bell’s passion for dirt racing for years.
Now that the restriction has been lifted, Bell is embracing his return to dirt racing while continuing to shine in the NASCAR Cup Series. With a remarkable start to his 2025 season and newfound freedom to race outside of NASCAR, the future looks incredibly bright for Christopher Bell.
His journey serves as a reminder that even the most disciplined athletes face personal struggles, but perseverance and passion can eventually lead to success. As Bell gears up for a thrilling year of racing, fans can look forward to seeing him back on the dirt tracks while also chasing NASCAR glory.
Also Read: Christopher Bell’s Least Favorite NASCAR Tracks Revealed
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Christopher Bell: Resentment Towards Joe Gibbs Racing’s Restriction on Dirt Racing
Christopher Bell recently opened up about the frustration and resentment he had carried for years due to Joe Gibbs Racing’s (JGR) strict policies against dirt racing.1
The team prohibited its drivers from competing in non-NASCAR events, fearing potential injuries. However, with this restriction lifted in November 2024, Bell is now embracing the opportunity to return to his dirt racing roots in 2025.
This revelation sheds light on Bell’s struggles as he watched other drivers, like Kyle Larson, continue to compete in high-profile dirt track events while he remained sidelined.
Let’s explore Bell’s journey, his feelings about the restriction, and what the future holds for him as he re-enters the dirt racing world.
We’re not gonna win them all….but we’re damn sure gonna try! Love this team! Resers Dub!#teamtoyota pic.twitter.com/Cf7s5npbXY
— Christopher Bell (@CBellRacing) March 10, 2025
The Joe Gibbs Racing Dirt Racing Ban: Why It Existed
For years, Joe Gibbs Racing enforced a policy that discouraged its drivers from competing in dirt track racing or any non-NASCAR events. The primary concern was injury prevention.
NASCAR team owners, including Joe Gibbs, understood that motorsports are inherently risky, and losing a top driver to an injury outside the Cup Series was a risk they weren’t willing to take.
While this decision made sense from a team owner’s perspective, it left many talented drivers frustrated, especially those who had a strong background in dirt racing.
Christopher Bell was among them, having built his reputation as an elite dirt racer before making it to NASCAR.
Christopher Bell’s Passion for Dirt Racing
Before stepping into the NASCAR Cup Series, Christopher Bell was a dominant force in dirt racing.2
He excelled in midget racing and won several prestigious dirt track events. His love for dirt racing never faded, even as he transitioned to stock cars.
However, upon joining Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021 to drive the No. 20 Toyota, he was forced to put his passion on hold due to the team’s strict policies.
This was particularly frustrating for Bell, as he watched drivers from other teams continue to participate in major dirt events, especially Kyle Larson, who won the Chili Bowl Nationals multiple times.
Joe Gibbs Racing Lifts the Restriction in 2024
The long-standing restriction was finally lifted in November 2024, allowing Christopher Bell and other JGR drivers to compete in dirt racing events if they wished.
This policy change was met with excitement from Bell, who wasted no time in planning his return to dirt racing.
For Bell, this was more than just an opportunity to race—it was a chance to rediscover the joy he had missed for years. In his words, “Now I just get to have some fun and just get my mind off of the Cup Series grind.”
With the restriction gone, Bell is now balancing his NASCAR Cup Series commitments while participating in select dirt racing events in 2025.
Christopher Bell’s Resentment Over the Restriction
In a video clip shared on X (formerly Twitter) by NASCAR, Bell candidly admitted that he struggled with the restriction and held resentment towards his team for not allowing him to race outside of NASCAR.3
“Certainly, I did have some resentment. It bothered me,” Bell said. “I was sitting on the couch watching races, watching Kyle (Larson) getting to go do all the stuff, all the fun stuff that I wanted to do. It took me a little bit to be able to overcome that, and it wasn’t until probably late 2023 when I finally came to peace with myself and I had just accepted that dirt racing was not in my cards right now.”
His words highlight the emotional toll this restriction took on him. Bell had to watch from the sidelines while his competitors enjoyed the racing activities he loved.
How Other Drivers Were Affected
Christopher Bell wasn’t the only driver impacted by this policy. Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, including Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr., also faced limitations on their extracurricular racing activities.
Meanwhile, drivers from other teams, particularly Hendrick Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing, had more freedom to compete in events outside of NASCAR.
Kyle Larson, a former Chip Ganassi Racing and current Hendrick Motorsports driver, frequently participated in dirt track events and even won the Knoxville Nationals and the Chili Bowl Nationals multiple times.
This disparity created an uneven playing field for drivers who wanted to stay active outside of the Cup Series, making Bell’s frustration understandable.
Also Read: Christopher Bell And Joe Gibbs: Are They Related To Each Other? Quick Facts
Christopher Bell’s Strong Start to the 2025 Cup Series Season
Despite the years of frustration, Bell has maintained a sharp focus on his Cup Series career. His dedication is paying off, as he has had a sensational start to the 2025 NASCAR season.
He won three of the first four races, proving that he is a serious championship contender. His ability to switch between different racing disciplines while maintaining his top-tier NASCAR performance demonstrates his exceptional talent as a driver.
Many NASCAR drivers who participate in dirt racing believe it enhances their skills on asphalt tracks. The ability to control a car in unpredictable conditions, manage throttle response, and adapt to varying track surfaces all contribute to better overall driving skills.
Kyle Larson’s success in both dirt racing and NASCAR is a testament to this idea. His dirt racing background helped him dominate in the Cup Series, winning the 2021 NASCAR championship. Now that Bell is allowed to return to dirt racing, he may experience similar benefits in his Cup Series performance.
What’s Next for Christopher Bell?
With his NASCAR season in full swing and dirt racing back on the table, Bell has an exciting year ahead.
Some of his goals for 2025 include:
- Competing in major dirt racing events: Now that he has the green light, Bell is expected to enter major dirt track races such as the Chili Bowl Nationals and other high-profile midget and sprint car events.
- Chasing a NASCAR Cup Series championship: With his strong start to the season, Bell has positioned himself as a serious contender for the 2025 championship.
- Balancing NASCAR and dirt racing: While he is thrilled to return to dirt racing, Bell will have to find a balance to ensure it doesn’t affect his Cup Series performance.
Christopher Bell Is Now Willing to Take More Risks
Breaking the Winless Streak
Before securing his first victory of the 2025 season at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Christopher Bell had endured a frustrating run of 19 races without a win.
As a driver with high expectations and a competitive spirit, this dry spell was not easy to handle. However, when he finally took the checkered flag in Atlanta, it marked a significant turning point in his season.
That victory not only ended his winless streak but also secured his spot in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs early in the year.
With the weight of playoff qualification off his shoulders, Bell could now shift his focus entirely toward winning races rather than merely accumulating points.
Three Straight Wins in the Next Gen Era
Since his Atlanta triumph, Bell has been on an incredible run of form, becoming the first driver in NASCAR’s Next Gen era to win three consecutive races.
This achievement cements his status as a dominant force this season and highlights the strength of his Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team.
Winning three races in a row is no small feat, particularly in the highly competitive landscape of modern NASCAR.
The introduction of the Next Gen cars in 2022 brought a new level of parity to the sport, making it difficult for any driver to sustain prolonged dominance.
Yet, Bell and his No. 20 Toyota Camry team have defied the odds, showcasing their ability to adapt, strategize, and execute at the highest level.
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Racing with More Confidence and Less Pressure
With his place in the playoffs already secured, Bell is now racing with a newfound sense of freedom.
Unlike drivers still searching for their first win of the season, Bell doesn’t need to worry about collecting enough points to qualify for the postseason. Instead, he can afford to take more risks, experiment with strategies, and push the limits on the track.
Ahead of the upcoming race in Las Vegas, Bell spoke about this shift in mindset and how it allows him and his team to be more aggressive:
“With us having multiple wins and knowing that we’re in the playoffs, if there’s a little bit more risky of a move, yeah, it certainly opens up the strategy book. You don’t really know how it’s going to play out until you get into the race, but certainly, the positions where it’s a little bit more high-risk where you normally wouldn’t take that risk if you’re focused on the regular-season points, well, now we can.”
This new approach makes Bell an even bigger threat to his competitors. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, he can afford to make daring overtakes, attempt bold pit strategies, and race with a level of aggressiveness that other drivers may not be able to match.
Chasing History: The Quest for Four Straight Wins
As the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this Sunday (March 16), Bell has a rare opportunity to make history.
If he wins in Las Vegas, he will become only the ninth driver in the modern era of NASCAR (since 1972) to win four consecutive races.
This is an elite club that includes some of NASCAR’s greatest legends:
- Dale Earnhardt
- Bill Elliott
- Jimmie Johnson
- Jeff Gordon
These names are synonymous with dominance and success, and Bell has the chance to join their ranks with another strong performance. While the challenge is steep, his recent form suggests that it is well within his reach.
Also Read: Christopher Bell And Joe Gibbs: Are They Related To Each Other? Quick Facts
