Christopher Bell’s 2024 NASCAR Cup season has been a rollercoaster of dominant performances, near misses, and frustrating outcomes. Despite showcasing championship-caliber speed, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver has struggled to turn those dominant runs into consistent victories—a weakness that has not gone unnoticed. NASCAR legend Kyle Petty has weighed in on Bell’s recurring inability to seal the deal, delivering a stinging critique of the rising star.
Petty compared Bell’s struggles to those of former stars Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson in their early years—both known for running up front but falling short in closing out races when it mattered most. Bell’s recent performance at Kansas in the first Round of 12 playoff race was yet another instance where he had the speed to compete for the win but ultimately faltered in the final stages.
“Christopher Bell at this stage in his career, even though he’s won races, reminds me a little bit of Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson,” Petty said. “He can’t close the deal. He can run up front, he can lead the laps. He’s gotta learn to close these deals and maximize these days, not just leave here with these points.”
Bell had a car capable of winning at Kansas, running neck-and-neck with the likes of Tyler Reddick and Ross Chastain. However, a few costly mistakes in the final laps saw him slip back, unable to capitalize on his car’s speed. Bell himself acknowledged the missed opportunity in his post-race interview, admitting that errors in critical moments cost him both track position and a better finish.
“They brought the heat, that’s for sure,” Bell said, reflecting on his team’s efforts. “I don’t know. Just obviously wish I had a couple of corners back because there were a couple of them where I made mistakes and let a lot of track position go.”
Despite finishing seventh, Bell left Kansas feeling that he had squandered a race-winning opportunity—an all-too-familiar refrain for the talented driver who has yet to establish himself as a consistent closer at NASCAR’s highest level.
With six races left in the 2024 season, Bell must focus on turning his impressive runs into victories if he wants to secure the championship. As Petty pointed out, Bell has the tools, the speed, and the team behind him, but until he learns to “close the deal,” the title may remain elusive.
For now, Bell’s journey continues, and he’ll need to approach each race with the same dominance but add the finishing touch that has eluded him so far. Whether he can overcome this hurdle will determine whether he is remembered as a champion or as another talented driver who fell short when it counted most.
