Christopher Bell is now a NASCAR Cup Series winner and looking to carry that momentum for the rest of the season. This weekend they are headed to Las Vegas, a track that Bell is excited to go back to. Before we go any further, let’s take a closer look at the new Cup Series winner.
2020 with Leavine Family Racing
Last year was a difficult rookie season for Bell in the Cup Series. While he had support from Joe Gibbs Racing at Leavine Family Racing, they had an up and down season. Boasting 16 wins in the Xfinity Series and an additional seven more in the Truck Series (including Eldora), many considered Bell the favorite of the four rookies with Cole Custer, JH Nemechek, and Tyler Reddick going into the start of last season. However, LFR never found their footing, and Bell had only two top-fives and seven top-tens.
Bell even commented, “Last year, it wasn’t looking good for me and a lot of people had probably written me off.” Now he is glad to prove those people wrong.
2021 with Adam Stevens at Joe Gibbs Racing
Now at JGR and paired with crew chief Adam Stevens, they are looking at their chances to win throughout this season. Stevens and Bell spent time talking a lot this off-season and did not want to try getting too much, too early, and get in trouble with DNFs.
Bell also said that Stevens is the “team leader” and “doing a great job”.
Last year the pit crew for Bell struggled, and this year his pit crew (led by Stevens) is very strong. Now that Bell has one win under his belt, Bell can be a little bit more aggressive.
You can argue that Bell and Kyle Larson are at the top of the Cup Series when it comes to dirt racing. Bell won the 2015 Eldora Mudsummer Classic in the Trucks and won the Chili Bowl Nationals three years in a row, 2017, 2018, and 2019. The Chili Bowl is the Super Bowl of Midget Racing. Bell is one of the favorites for the upcoming Bristol dirt race on March 28th.
All in all, Bell’s confidence is high at JGR and with Adam Stevens. He is happy to be talking with the media again and ranks his first Cup Series victory up at the top with his other big achievements.
He says he is looking forward to Vegas, so maybe he will rebound from his 20th place finish at Homestead. Then again, Las Vegas might show us another first-time winner or another surprise winner this season!