Amid the all-consuming rivalry between NASCAR giants Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing, the stakes have never been higher. The 2025 season has only intensified this long-standing tension, with rising stars like Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and Chase Briscoe adding to the power-packed roster of JGR alongside Denny Hamlin. Christopher Bell, in particular, has been stealing the spotlight with his stellar performance, already bagging wins at the Ambetter Health 400 and EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.
The upcoming Phoenix race holds immense weight, not only because it will host the championship race later in the season, but also due to the opportunity it offers either team to consolidate their supremacy. However, the race is more than just about victory. Kevin Harvick, the most successful driver on the track, recently offered an intriguing perspective on Christopher Bell’s championship aspirations.
Harvick, acknowledging Team Penske’s impressive record at Phoenix Raceway, shed light on Bell’s potential to disrupt the status quo. He stressed the importance of the Phoenix race, saying, “This is a crucial race to determine your standing for the championship race.”
Penske’s dominance in Phoenix is legendary, with Joey Logano clinching his third NASCAR Cup Series championship there in 2024. Adding to Penske’s glory was Ryan Blaney, Logano’s teammate, who finished second, reinforcing the team’s dominance. Blaney had previously secured the Cup Series championship in 2023, despite finishing second. A year prior, Logano had secured his second championship, cementing Penske’s stronghold at Phoenix.
Despite this, Harvick holds a firm belief that Bell poses a significant threat this year. He stated, “Should Christopher Bell make it to Phoenix… I believe he would definitely challenge those guys given the performance they’ve shown so far.” Indeed, Bell’s recent form, with two wins in the first three races of 2025, lends credence to Harvick’s statement.
Harvick underlined the importance of maintaining consistency throughout the season, noting that as the playoffs near, the top performers often mirror the championship contenders. “It’s about stacking up the details… unless you can maintain that level of preparation throughout the year, it becomes quite challenging,” Harvick stated.
The Phoenix race is set to serve as a litmus test for Bell and Joe Gibbs Racing. A strong showing could disrupt Team Penske’s hold and position Bell as a formidable championship contender.
However, Team Penske’s star driver, Joey Logano’s 2025 campaign has been off to a rocky start, with unforeseen setbacks overshadowing early expectations. After an impressive start at the Daytona 500, Logano’s hopes were dashed by a late-race multi-car crash. His performance slipped at Atlanta, where he ultimately finished 12th, despite leading the most laps in the Ambetter Health 400.
Logano’s struggles persisted at COTA, where he finished 24th, far behind race-winner Bell. These lackluster results are a far cry from the former champion’s usual performance, particularly given his history as a title contender.
With Logano and Team Penske yet to find their rhythm, and competitors like Bell and JGR gaining momentum, the question remains whether they can turn the tide before the championship slips out of reach. As Kyle Larson once said about Bell in the early stages of their career, will another driver soon be telling us they ‘hated’ Bell? Only time will tell.