Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing has established himself as a top performer in the ongoing 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, securing three victories in the first sixteen races and sitting third in the points standings behind William Byron and Kyle Larson. A key factor contributing to Bell’s steady success is his participation in dirt track racing during the week, which supplements his full-time Cup Series responsibilities.
Maintaining Dirt Track Roots Alongside Cup Commitments
Bell’s racing origins come from competing in dirt tracks and sprint car events, a background he shares with Larson. With support from Joe Gibbs Racing, Bell continues to compete part-time in these dirt events while driving the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE in the Cup Series. In a recent discussion with Jeff Gluck, Bell emphasized how important this additional racing is to his overall performance and mindset.
The Mental Refreshment Provided by Dirt Racing
Addressing a question relayed by Daniel Suarez via Jeff Gluck, Bell revealed that he has raced in ten dirt events so far in 2025 and expects to participate in 20 to 30 by season’s end. He stated,
“Do I think running a dirt car directly helps running a Sunday Cup car? I do not. But it is a great mental reset to just get away from the grind of the Cup Series.”
—Christopher Bell, Driver
While he doesn’t fully understand why, Bell acknowledges that performing well in sprint car racing positively influences his stock car results, and vice versa.
Using Midweek Racing to Overcome Setbacks
Bell highlighted how dirt racing offers a valuable distraction from the stress of Sunday races that don’t go as planned. He explained,
“I don’t know how many times throughout my career, you have a bad Sunday, you debrief on Monday, and then you’re off Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, just stewing on your mistake or your bad race,”
followed by
“If you have something during the week to go out and put your focus on something else, it helps to break that mental slide.”
—Christopher Bell, Driver
This approach helps him quickly reset his focus rather than dwelling on poor performances.
Recent Achievements in Prestigious Dirt Races
Bell has seen success in notable dirt racing events this season, including a narrow victory against Kyle Larson in the Non-Wing Outlaw division at the 2025 Tulsa Shootout. Additionally, he claimed the title at the renowned Chili Bowl Race of Champions, a prestigious invitational gathering some of dirt racing’s most elite competitors.
How Increased Dirt Racing Can Elevate Bell’s Cup Series Prospects
With Bell planning to compete in a significant number of dirt races throughout the year, his streak of high-profile dirt wins is likely to continue. This continuous competition away from the Cup Series track not only sharpens his driving skills but also provides crucial mental recovery, potentially boosting his chances to ultimately secure a NASCAR Cup Series championship.
