Christopher Bell teams with Tab Boyd for the first time as they prepare for the Quaker State 400 at Echopark Speedway this Saturday night. Bell’s new spotter Boyd recently joined the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team after being unemployed for a week, stepping in just before one of the most demanding races on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar.
Tab Boyd was released by Hyak Motorsports last week prior to the Cup race at Pocono Raceway, reportedly due to remarks he made about Mexico City. Now, Bell, the Oklahoma native, must adapt quickly to working with Boyd as they face the challenge of Echopark Speedway—a track known for its fast speeds and tight racing after its 2021 renovation.
Adjusting to a new spotter at one of NASCAR’s most intense tracks
Echopark Speedway presents a significant challenge for Bell and Boyd as spotter–driver communication plays a crucial role on this high-speed, crowded venue. Bell admitted in an interview with FOX’s Bob Pockrass that he had limited time to prepare alongside Boyd, saying,
“It’s gonna be tough. I’ve listened to Tab on our replay system, but aside from that… that’s all we got. It’s gonna be tough for sure getting acclimated at one of the most spotter-intense races on the calendar, but Tab has a bunch of experience. We’ll play it by ear, and definitely the first stage or two is gonna be a learning curve.” —Christopher Bell, JGR driver
This season, Boyd marks Bell’s third spotter. Bell started with Stevie Reeves, who left after the All-Star Race in May. Matt Philpott, a former JGR mechanic, then took over but had a brief tenure. Boyd’s arrival atop the No. 20 pit box comes just as Bell aims to build momentum in the 260-lap event.
Race fans can catch Bell and Boyd’s debut partnership live on TNT Sports starting at 7 pm ET, with radio coverage available through PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Defending race winner Joey Logano from Team Penske will start from the pole, while Bell secured the 28th spot on the starting grid.
Christopher Bell shares his outlook on the demanding Atlanta event
Bell has not claimed a victory since Phoenix earlier this year and approaches the upcoming race with caution. In an official statement, he acknowledged that Atlanta has never been a favored track for a JGR victory, emphasizing the unpredictability of the event, particularly with its superspeedway characteristics.
“Atlanta’s going to be tough,” Bell explained (via Speedway Digest). “It’s hard to pick a favorite going through Atlanta with it being a superspeedway-style race. I think you’re going to see a lot of upsets in week one of the in-season tournament. Get through that one and see who’s left standing.” —Christopher Bell, JGR driver
The race will also serve as the opening round of NASCAR’s new in-season tournament, where the winner automatically earns a $1 million prize. This tournament features 32 drivers competing through five elimination rounds, adding further intensity to the competition at Echopark.
“I’m as optimistic as you can get. Atlanta-you’re going to Vegas. So, we’ll go roll the dice and see what happens,” he added. —Christopher Bell, JGR driver
Current form and implications for the season
Earlier this year, Bell captured a win at Atlanta, but that success came with his longtime spotter. Now sitting fourth in the driver standings with 544 points after 17 races, his season includes three wins, seven top-five finishes, and 11 in the top ten. The team’s ability to quickly develop effective communication with Boyd could be crucial for maintaining strong results in the remaining schedule.
As Bell and Boyd face their first race together at one of NASCAR’s toughest venues, their performance may significantly influence the trajectory of Bell’s season, especially with the in-season tournament adding a new layer of competition. Adapting swiftly to Boyd’s spotting style while handling Atlanta’s demanding racing style will test the driver’s resilience and the team’s cohesion moving forward.
