Christopher Bell, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, recently spoke about his competitive relationship with Kyle Larson ahead of the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Their rivalry, which has roots in their earlier days of dirt racing, spans back to competing in midget and sprint car events before they rose to prominence in NASCAR’s Cup Series.
The two drivers have a long history at the Chili Bowl Nationals, with Bell initially dominating the event by winning three consecutive titles from 2017 to 2019. Larson finished second in 2019 but ended Bell’s streak by winning the 2020 and 2021 championships. This competition established a solid rivalry between them that continues today.
Despite previous tense moments, Bell indicated that their relationship has improved over time. Speaking about their dynamic, Bell remarked,
“From my standpoint, I’ve certainly gotten angry with him a couple times. Had a couple run-ins where he’s done me wrong and, you know, angered me. But you know, that’s come and gone. So I think we’re on pretty good terms now. We like to beat each other when we’re going head-to-head.”
Recently, Larson achieved his third Chili Bowl Nationals victory in 2025 and was set to defend his title in 2026, but a crash just 15 laps into the race forced a DNF. Bell stayed competitive late in the race, running among the top five before finishing eighth in the main event.
Christopher Bell’s Views on Expanding Road Course Events in NASCAR
In mid-2025, during a strong run in the Cup Series season, Bell was interviewed about the increasing number of road course races in NASCAR’s schedule. He reflected on how these changes are influencing driver and team strategies.
Bell notably won a race at the Circuit of the Americas after starting in 19th position, demonstrating his growing road course prowess. He shared his opinion on the evolving importance of road courses in the series, saying,
“I’m good with it… I like it. It’s enough now where the teams and the drivers have to take it seriously. Before, whenever it was only Sonoma and Watkins Glen, you had a lot of teams that didn’t take the road courses seriously and didn’t put a lot of effort into it.”
“But now with so many road courses, you have to be good at them if you want any chance at doing well in the season standings,” he added.
Bell concluded the 2025 season ranked fifth overall, with four wins, 13 top-five finishes, and 22 top-ten finishes out of 36 starts. He led a total of 282 laps in his #20 Toyota Camry XSE throughout the year, underscoring his consistent performance.
Implications of Bell and Larson’s Rivalry for NASCAR’s Future
The history and continued competition between Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson highlight a broader evolution within NASCAR. Their fierce but respectful rivalry reflects the growing intensity and talent in the sport, especially with more challenging tracks like road courses added to the schedule.
As both drivers continue to develop and adapt, their battles are likely to remain a compelling storyline for fans and competitors alike. Their progress and rivalry will play a significant role in shaping future race strategies and fan engagement in upcoming seasons.
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