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Christopher Bell’s Stunning Turnaround: From Winless Streak to NASCAR Championship Contender in 2025

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 10, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Christopher Bell Aims for NASCAR Hat-Trick Victory: Who are the Other Contenders at Phoenix Raceway?

Mar 8, 2025; Avondale, AZ, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell (20) during qualifying for the Shrines Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

In his inaugural season as a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief in 2015, Adam Stevens did the unthinkable. He was the guiding force behind Kyle Busch’s championship win, becoming the second rookie in history to secure a title in his debut season. This remarkable feat was made possible after Kevin Harvick and Rodney Childers paved the way with their victory the year before.

Overcoming significant obstacles, Busch and Stevens seized the championship despite Busch missing the first 11 races due to an injury. Stevens worked his magic, leading Busch to a stellar performance with four victories in just five races. But as quickly as their success came, so did their fallout. By the end of 2020, Joe Gibbs Racing decided to part ways with the dynamic duo, a decision that left many in shock considering their successful collaboration.

Busch’s post-fallout performance was less than stellar, struggling to secure wins with Richard Childress Racing’s No.8 team. As for Stevens, he was paired with Christopher Bell, a promising talent but not quite the proven winner that Busch was. Despite skepticism around this pairing, Stevens has proven his magic touch once again. In 2025, he has transformed Bell into a title contender, leaving Joe Gibbs at a loss for words.

Bell has truly been the sensation of the 2025 season. His win at Phoenix marked his third consecutive victory, a feat never achieved before in the Next-Gen era. The victory wasn’t easy, though. Bell had to fend off his teammate Denny Hamlin in one of the closest finishes in the history of Phoenix Raceway. This victory marked a significant turnaround for Bell, who had just ended the 2024 season with a disappointing 19-race winless streak.

Joe Gibbs, his team owner, was left astonished at Bell’s comeback. When asked about this sudden upswing in Bell’s career, Gibbs struggled to provide a coherent response. Bell’s transformation from the 2024 to the 2025 season has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite a 19-race winless streak in the previous season, Bell demonstrated consistency, managing to secure nine top-five finishes in the last 12 races. Although he clearly had speed, bad luck and strategic errors hindered him from winning.

Now, with the guidance of Stevens, Bell has emerged as a strong contender for the championship. His ability to win on any track type – superspeedway, road course, or intermediate – has showcased his versatility as a driver. Stevens, known for his adaptability, has once again shown his knack for cultivating winners.

Gibbs, recognizing the strong bond between Bell and Stevens, praised their hard work and dedication. But while this newfound success should be a cause for celebration, it has also sparked internal competition within the team. Gibbs is all too familiar with this scenario. He experienced a similar situation in 2010 with Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin during the NASCAR All-Star Race, a feud that had costly consequences for JGR.

With Bell and Hamlin consistently performing well this season, tension within the team has been escalating. Hamlin, despite missing out on a win at Daytona due to a last-lap wreck and finishing second in Phoenix, has been a consistent performer. However, after the COTA race, Hamlin expressed his discontent with seeing his teammate win. This brewing rivalry has Gibbs worried, as he knows the disastrous potential of internal conflicts.

The conflicting ambitions of both drivers, who are vying for the championship, could spell trouble for Gibbs. Bell, with his current momentum, and Hamlin, who is determined to cement his career with a title win, are both gearing up for a fierce competition. For Gibbs, managing these two fast drivers without causing a rift within the team will be a significant challenge.

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