Christopher Bell, the star driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, is entering the 2025 season confident about his championship prospects after an intense battle throughout the current year. Despite a strong start with early wins, Bell’s quest for the title faced challenges in the later part of the season, yet he remains optimistic about his team’s potential to clinch the championship.
Early Season Success Followed by Mid-Season Struggles
Bell kicked off his season impressively, winning three consecutive races at Atlanta, COTA, and Phoenix, positioning himself as a top contender. However, in the subsequent races leading up to the playoffs, his performance declined significantly. Over the last ten events of the regular season, Bell managed only three top-five finishes, with most other results falling outside the top 15, ultimately costing him the regular season championship to William Byron.
Despite this downturn, Bell carries 29 bonus points into the playoffs and has demonstrated strong runs at critical playoff races. His confidence is rooted in the familiar venues of Darlington, Kansas, Las Vegas, and Gateway, where he has shown consistent speed and competitiveness but has yet to claim victories. Bell believes that the long-awaited wins on these tracks are within reach.
“We’ve been really close at Darlington but haven’t won yet. The playoffs are littered with tracks like that — Darlington, Kansas, Vegas and Gateway. All these places where we’ve been super strong but just haven’t won. It could happen this week and it could happen next week.” —Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Playoff Tracks Offer Opportunity for Breakthrough Wins
The familiar settings of Darlington, Kansas, Las Vegas, and Gateway provide Bell with familiar territory where he feels equipped to perform at his best. Previous misfortunes at these circuits have prevented him from securing victories, but Bell anticipates that those barriers will soon be broken. His familiarity with the nuances of these racetracks fuels his belief that a win is imminent during the playoff stretch.
Team dynamics also bolster Bell’s championship prospects. His crew chief, Adam Steven, shares Bell’s confidence in their capacity to secure the title, reinforcing that this season presents their best opportunity in recent years. The No. 20 Toyota team is eager to capture their first championship since 2019, and the combination of driver skill and team expertise is central to this goal.
“This year is my best year for a championship. I know that. Adam knows that. I’m ready to take it to him.” —Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
Maintaining Consistency Amid Performance Fluctuations
Bell revealed that he has engaged in ongoing conversations with his crew chief to address the decline in results after the initial winning streak. Despite the challenges, the team has not altered their approach drastically, maintaining the strategies that delivered early-season success.
“I’ve actually asked Adam that because I got a little bit concerned about it a couple weeks ago. He said, ‘look, we are not doing anything different than when we won three races in a row earlier in the season.’” —Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
These discussions highlight the team’s commitment to a consistent process, relying on their proven capabilities rather than making reactive changes. Bell emphasized the strength of the team and their preparedness for the upcoming races, stressing that with the right execution, victories are attainable.
“We have a great team; a great process and we’re going to keep after it and have some great racetracks for us. I think we have all the tools we need to go out there, execute and win races, and hopefully we can do that.” —Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing driver
What Lies Ahead for Bell and Joe Gibbs Racing
As the playoffs progress, Bell’s confidence in his team and his own capabilities positions him as a formidable contender. The pressure to perform is significant, especially with championship expectations mounting after a season of thrilling highs and challenging lows. How Bell and the No. 20 Toyota squad navigate the demanding playoff schedule, particularly at tracks where Bell has been close but never victorious, will be critical in determining their success.
Bell has identified 2025 as the most promising year in his career to secure the championship, a sentiment echoed by his crew chief and fueled by his proven ability on the track and the team‘s solid preparation. Fans and racing enthusiasts will be watching closely to see if Bell can transform potential into a championship victory, cementing his place among NASCAR’s elite drivers.
