Christopher Bell Takes Over NASCAR Spotlight as Hamlin and Busch Struggle
“He should quit racing.” Denny Hamlin jokingly said about Kyle Busch, but the sentiment might hold some truth. While Busch entertained fans in The CW broadcast booth during the Las Vegas Xfinity race, his presence on the track is fading. The same can be said for Hamlin, as NASCAR’s focus shifts to a new star—Christopher Bell.
Christopher Bell: NASCAR’s New Poster Boy
The No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing driver has been quietly climbing the ranks, but now, he’s making headlines for all the right reasons. Bell’s back-to-back-to-back Cup Series wins have cemented his status as NASCAR’s newest sensation. Unlike veterans like Hamlin and Busch, who are facing setbacks, Bell’s momentum is unstoppable.
Last season, Bell’s aggressive move in the Martinsville playoff race stirred controversy. He pulled off a “wall ride” move to beat William Byron, only for NASCAR to penalize him, claiming Toyota and Chevrolet influenced the finish. “I feel cheated out of a chance to compete for a championship,” Bell said at the time. However, instead of backing down, he doubled down—and has since racked up three wins, four top-5 finishes, and more points than anyone else in the field.
Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin is dealing with a sponsorship crisis and a major shake-up in his crew. FedEx and Mavis Tires have pulled out, and crew chief Chris Gabehart has been promoted to competition director. Hamlin hasn’t won a race since mid-2024 and has missed the Championship 4 for three consecutive years—while Bell made it in 2022 and 2023.
Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, isn’t faring any better. He’s on a 62-race winless streak, stretching back to early 2023. Given the struggles of NASCAR’s old guard, Jeff Gluck made a bold statement to Eric Estepp: “NASCAR respects [Bell] and they want him to be one of the leaders and help guide things. I think you’re seeing that for sure.”
Bell is Stepping Into the Spotlight
Bell has long been seen as a reserved driver, but that’s changing. Gluck noted how Bell has evolved: “You know, it’s weird because you always sort of felt like he had that in him… But most of the time, he’d be so reserved… Now, he’s actually sharing his opinions.”
Bell’s growing influence is clear. He recently joined Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suárez, and Chase Elliott for a NASCAR promotional campaign in Mexico City. His newfound confidence is paying off, as even NASCAR itself is backing him—a fact made evident during his Las Vegas gamble.
Bell’s Las Vegas Masterstroke
Bell and his No. 20 team pulled off a move never seen before in NASCAR. After qualifying 13th, Bell was forced to start at the rear due to a throttle body issue. He surged to 10th by Stage 1, then climbed to second in Stage 2 before a botched pit stop nearly derailed his race.
The defining moment came when his team failed to secure his left front wheel. Instead of risking a catastrophic failure, crew chief Adam Stevens made a split-second call—Bell pulled into Chase Briscoe’s pit stall to get the tire tightened. While he received a penalty, it saved him from a much harsher consequence.
Briscoe, however, wasn’t so lucky—his loose wheel led to a two-lap penalty and a two-race suspension for his jackman and tire changer. Yet, instead of punishing Bell, NASCAR applauded the move. NASCAR’s managing director of racing communication, Mike Forde, praised the No. 20 team, stating:
“A tire coming off the car is a very dangerous situation. That’s something we take very seriously… The 20 team avoided that dangerous situation, and we’re OK with it.”
The Future is Bell’s to Take
While Hamlin and Busch struggle, Christopher Bell is proving he’s the future of NASCAR. He’s winning races, earning respect from the garage, and even NASCAR itself is siding with him on key decisions.
If this trend continues, Bell might soon be the face of the sport, leaving NASCAR’s old guard in the rearview mirror.
