In the world of NASCAR, few things are as exhilarating as watching a driver at the peak of his form. Christopher Bell, a driver who has been on a roll lately, is one such story of masterful domination. His winning spree in the 2025 season has been nothing short of historic, leaving even seasoned racers like Kyle Larson in awe.
Bell’s post-race statement in Phoenix aptly captures his winning momentum: “There are times when you feel like you can’t do anything wrong.” His performance on the track has been nothing short of astonishing, with his thrilling face-off with Denny Hamlin at the Shriner’s Children 500 serving as a testament to his prowess. Bell’s victory marked his third in just four races this Cup Series season, shattering several records in the process and leaving spectators and competitors alike with dropped jaws.
Kyle Larson, the Hendrick Motorsports driver, emerged as a strong contender in the final laps of the race. Despite his best efforts, Bell outran him and Hamlin with his remarkable speed and adaptability. It’s worth noting that Bell’s historic feat mirrors what Larson achieved not so long ago, earning him Larson’s well-deserved admiration and respect.
Once dirt racing rivals, both Bell and Larson now share the spotlight as iconic competitors in NASCAR. Bell’s third race trophy in just 15 days sets a new record, making him the first Next-Gen Cup driver to clinch three consecutive race wins. It’s a feat only matched by Larson himself in 2021, on his way to his championship victory. Bell also becomes the first racer since Kevin Harvick in 2018 to clinch three of the first four races of the season.
However, Bell’s accomplishments don’t end there. He achieved his winning streak on three different race tracks – a superspeedway, a road course, and an oval. In the era of the Next-Gen car, with its increased parity, winning across different tracks has become an even more notable feat. But Bell has proven it’s possible, leaving Larson and the rest of the competitors agog in admiration. Larson’s succinct five-word praise for Bell’s team says it all: “Their team is just strong.”
As the last driver to win three consecutive Cup races, Larson recognizes the challenge that Bell’s winning streak presents. The upcoming racetracks are well-suited to Bell’s strengths, including Las Vegas where he boasts three top-fives, two of which are runner-up spots. Bell also has a victory in Homestead from October 2023 under his belt. Larson acknowledges the confidence that comes with such a winning streak, saying, “The more wins you get, the more confidence you, as well as your team, gets.”
Bell’s dominance in Las Vegas has been notable, despite not claiming a victory. He led 155 laps in the October race last year and finished second, a pattern he repeated in October 2023. Despite a setback in the spring race of 2024 where he finished 33rd after starting 10th, Bell’s performance at Homestead Miami shows consistent top-20 finishes, including three top-10 finishes and a win.
Even Denny Hamlin, Bell’s teammate, feels the pressure of Bell’s impressive performances. Although he acknowledged Bell’s achievement, he expressed a sense of frustration over losing to a teammate. The dramatic face-off between the two in Phoenix, where Bell won by just 0.049 seconds, left Hamlin wishing he had been on the inside, not the outside.
Christopher Bell’s phenomenal performance has left a significant impact on his competitors, including those within his own team. As Kyle Larson gears up to challenge Bell, race enthusiasts are eager to see how the season unfolds. Will Bell continue his winning streak, or will Larson manage to topple him in Vegas? Only time will tell.