Adam Stevens, the crew chief for Christopher Bell’s #20 team at Joe Gibbs Racing, recently shared insights about the unexpected similarities between Bell and Kyle Busch. Having served as Busch’s crew chief when he drove the #18 car, Stevens highlighted their comparable work ethic, teamwork approach, and mutual respect. These observations were made during a talk at North Wilkesboro Speedway, the venue of the recent NASCAR All-Star Race.
Since Bell joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021, just before Busch’s departure after a lengthy tenure, Stevens transitioned from overseeing the #18 to the #20 team. Throughout this period, he noticed how alike the two drivers are in their dedication and professionalism.
“They’re probably more similar than people realize. Super hard working, knows what to shoulder, and what to put on other people’s shoulders, and is very fair about it. Bell’s the same way. Behind the scenes, the work they put in and their dedication, and their commitment to the team, very, very similar.” —Adam Stevens, Crew Chief
Mutual Respect Shared On and Off the Track
Stevens also expressed his admiration for both drivers, emphasizing not only their work ethic but also the respect they show each other during competitions. Bell’s development was influenced by Busch to some extent, and this connection has fostered a respectful rivalry between them.
“Utmost respect for both of them and how they do their work, and Bell came up through the Kyle Busch School to some degree. And I know that both of them have a lot of respect for each other, and they race each other that way.” —Adam Stevens, Crew Chief
During the latest All-Star event, Bell delivered a strong performance, securing victory by finishing 0.829 seconds ahead with his #20 car. Busch, starting from the same position, finished eighth, demonstrating a solid showing despite the competitive field.
Reasons Behind the Split Between Busch and Stevens
Stevens and Busch worked together successfully from 2015, earning two championship titles in that partnership. However, their collaboration ended before the 2021 season when they disagreed over changes Busch wanted to implement within the #18 team. This disagreement led to Stevens stepping aside from his role as Busch’s crew chief.
Reflecting on the split, Busch explained that differences in management philosophy triggered the decision.
“I asked Adam for a couple changes to be made over the offseason, and he didn’t agree with my philosophy on those changes,” Busch said. “So he said you know what, I’m going to do something different and let you do something different and we’ll see what happens.” —Kyle Busch, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Implications and Future Outlook
The insights shared by Adam Stevens highlight how Christopher Bell and Kyle Busch’s similarities extend beyond their driving skills, influencing how they lead and collaborate with their teams. Bell’s success at the recent All-Star Race signals his continuing growth within Joe Gibbs Racing, while Busch’s evolving career reflects a new chapter following his long-standing partnership with Stevens. The respect and professionalism between these two drivers suggest a competitive yet respectful dynamic will persist in the NASCAR Cup Series moving forward.
