Christopher Bell has decided to prioritize his commitment to NASCAR over competing in the Indianapolis 500, signaling a clear focus on his ongoing Cup Series career as of late 2025. This announcement highlights Bell’s dedication to his primary racing discipline, despite previous ambitions of taking on the iconic IndyCar event.
Bell, the No. 20 driver for Joe Gibbs Racing backed by Toyota, enjoyed a standout 2025 season with four victories and consistent top finishes, cementing his potential as a strong championship contender. Although he once expressed interest in running the Indy 500, recent statements confirm that NASCAR remains his top priority for now.
The Shift from IndyCar Ambitions to NASCAR Focus
In 2024, Bell openly shared his hope to compete in the Indianapolis 500 if Toyota supported the endeavor, saying at a NASCAR awards event,
“Yeah, for sure. If Toyota was interested in that, I would be raising my hand to do it. They haven’t been (just) a huge part of my career, they have been my career.”
However, almost a year later, his mindset has pivoted, reflecting his strong American stock car racing engagements and Team Toyota’s history in motorsports.
Toyota’s association with Indianapolis dates back to 2003, when they entered the Indy 500 with a powerful 3.5 L V8 engine developed by Toyota Racing Development. Backed by teams like Target Chip Ganassi Racing and Penske Racing, Toyota secured a win with Gil de Ferran and claimed the IRL Engine Manufacturer’s Championship that year. Still, by 2005, Toyota stepped back from IndyCar, shifting its efforts fully toward NASCAR.
Bell himself reinforced this change of heart during an interview on Corey LaJoie‘s Stacking Pennies podcast:
“Well, I mean, I don’t think I have interest in running the Indy 500, and I had it before he did it. Uh, you know, for sure. But, you know, at this point in my career, like I’m definitely not willing to do anything to take away from that weekend in the Cup on the Cup side. And you know, I think it would be unfair for me to, you know, entertain the idea while I’m at this point in my career.”
This statement clarifies Bell’s present commitment to his NASCAR schedule, especially with the playoffs underway.
Bell’s 2025 Campaign Demonstrates Championship Potential
Throughout 2025, Christopher Bell proved his ability to compete at the highest levels of NASCAR, amassing four wins including a memorable victory in the Round of 16 at Bristol Motor Speedway. His season statistics include ten top-five finishes, sixteen top tens, one pole position across 29 races, and leading 239 laps in total. These numbers underscore his growing role as a formidable Cup Series contender, backed by Joe Gibbs Racing’s competitive machines.
Despite the allure of the Indy 500’s prestige, Bell remains focused on the Cup championship. At 30 years old, he has not ruled out the possibility of racing at Indianapolis in the future but makes it clear that it is not part of his near-term plans. He conveyed this balance by stating,
“You know, maybe years down the road, if it gets to the point to where I am a multi-time Cup champion and um, you know, a Coke 600 title is like, okay, well, I can sacrifice a little bit here to go do it. But I’m not there right now. And I want to make sure that, you know, I focus on my day job and hopefully, one day I’ll get to run the Indy 500, but it’s not in the near future.”
The Challenge of Balancing NASCAR and IndyCar’s Demanding Schedules
Christopher Bell’s decision to forgo the Indy 500 at this stage reflects the immense difficulties associated with attempting “Double Duty” — competing on the same day in both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600. His rival Kyle Larson, who races for Hendrick Motorsports, recently tried the feat but suffered setbacks in both events during the 2025 sporting calendar. Larson crashed in Indianapolis and was involved in an accident during the later NASCAR race, finishing well down the field in both instances.
These challenges emphasize the demanding nature of competing at elite levels across two distinct racing disciplines on a single day. While Larson remains focused on his NASCAR season and playoff pursuit, his struggles serve as a reminder of the physical and mental toll this dual commitment can take.
Historical Context: Toyota and Its Relationship with Indianapolis
Toyota’s history at the Indianapolis 500 is marked by innovation and success but also withdrawal. After entering IndyCar with strong technological backing in the early 2000s, the Japanese manufacturer clinched significant victories, only to retreat from the series as Honda gained prominence with Penske and Ganassi teams switching allegiances. Since 2005, Toyotas have not competed at Indy despite persistent rumors about their potential return, especially with talks surrounding a 2027 engine formula testing possibility.
While whispers of a Toyota comeback at the Brickyard persist, Bell’s stance signals that Toyota’s NASCAR program will remain the primary focus for its drivers and resources in the near term.
Bell’s Momentum Heading into Key Playoff Races
Christopher Bell’s recent win at Bristol Motor Speedway provided a critical boost leading into the Round of 12 in the NASCAR playoffs. His performance at Bristol, where he executed a decisive late-race pass, sets a confident tone as the Cup series moves to New Hampshire’s Loudon track — a venue where Bell has historically excelled across multiple series.
He enters the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire as the defending race winner in the Cup, Truck, and Xfinity series, a testament to his versatility and skill on this particular circuit. Bell expressed optimism about his team’s chances, stating,
“I think we’re every bit as capable as any of the other 12 out there. It’s a good racetrack for us as a group, and we know what it takes to be good there, and it seems like our cars are really good. I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead. It’s just that all the Toyotas are super-fast right now. But we’ve got a long way to go to get to Phoenix, and it’s going to be a hard road, and everybody knows that.”
With Joe Gibbs Racing’s machinery performing strongly and Bell’s momentum peaking, the playoffs at New Hampshire will be a critical proving ground to determine if he can maintain his title contention and navigate the grueling final rounds of the season.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Christopher Bell’s Racing Journey
Christopher Bell’s focus on his NASCAR career and current championship bid highlights a purposeful career strategy at a time when balancing commitments is more challenging than ever. While the allure of the Indianapolis 500 and potential Toyota returns to Indycar remain part of racing conversation, Bell’s priority is securing NASCAR glory first.
The decisions Bell makes now could shape the trajectory of his legacy within stock car racing, as he aims to become a multiple-time Cup Series champion while resisting the temptation of immediate cross-discipline challenges. Fans and observers will watch closely to see if, in the years ahead, Bell revisits the Indy 500 dream or continues to build on his NASCAR success with Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota.
