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Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell: A Story of Rivalry and Respect in NASCAR

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
February 27, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell: A Story of Rivalry and Respect in NASCAR

Nov 5, 2023; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kyle Larson (right) with Ryan Blaney (center) and Christopher Bell during the Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Motor racing enthusiasts are no strangers to the intense rivalry between Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, two of the sport’s most formidable talents. With both drivers originating from the exciting world of dirt racing, their competitive styles often overlap, resulting in fierce head-to-head battles on the track. Larson, the renowned 2021 Cup Series victor, has admitted to a deep-seated resentment towards Bell, which dates back to their early career contests.

While Larson is frequently praised as a generational talent in the motoring world, he has not been immune to the competitive threat posed by Bell. Reflecting on past races, the Californian admits that Bell’s tenacity and skill often put his ego to the test. This intense rivalry, Larson reveals, served as a driving force, pushing him to hone his skills and exceed his own expectations in the sport.

In the early stages of Larson’s career, he was a fresh-faced Toyota Racing Development driver, making his mark in open-wheel cars including the USAC midget and sprint cars. He raced for renowned teams like Keith Kunz Motorsports and Hoffman Racing, backed by the Japanese manufacturer. However, the arrival of the ‘new kid on the block,’ Christopher Bell, marked a turning point for Larson. Bell’s impressive abilities challenged Larson’s dominance, thus igniting a competitive fire that continues to burn fiercely today.

Larson, in an enlightening conversation on Corey LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast, confessed to his resentment towards Bell, primarily rooted in the latter’s dominance in their shared equipment and the numerous victories he snatched from Larson. This rivalry was particularly high-profile at the Chili Bowl Nationals, a renowned indoor midget car race.

Bell’s performance at the Chili Bowl Nationals has made him a legend in the racing world. The Oklahoman won the race three consecutive times in 2017, 2018, and 2019, becoming the first person from his state to do so since Andy Hillenburg in 1994. However, Larson also left a mark on the event by clinching the main event, matching Bell’s record of three wins.

The Larson-Bell rivalry is not confined to the racing season. Thanks to a change in policy by Joe Gibbs Racing, Bell has been allowed to compete on dirt tracks during the off-season. His performances at the Non-Wing Outlaw Main Event at the Tulsa Shootout and the World of Outlaws opener at Volusia Speedway Park have only fueled the competitive fire between him and Larson. Bell’s recent victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he cheekily expressed his love for superspeedways—a track type Larson traditionally struggles on—only added fuel to the flames.

Despite the fierce rivalry, Bell and Larson share a mutual respect. Both drivers have a deep-rooted love for dirt racing and have endured numerous on-track skirmishes over the years. As Bell once said in 2018 when he was compared to Larson, it was “the biggest compliment that people have given me.”

The dynamics of their relationship have evolved significantly over the years. Bell acknowledged their rivalry but emphasized their mutual respect. “We’re not enemies; we’re not going to sit here and go throw fists, but we respect each other. We’re rivals,” Bell stated.

In the current NASCAR Cup Series, Bell, despite his victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway, finds himself six points behind Larson. With only two races completed, the race for the Bill France Cup, awarded at Phoenix Raceway, is still wide open. Both drivers were consistent performers last year but missed out on a Championship 4 appearance. Will the silverware be within their grasp this year? Only time will reveal the thrilling answer to this question.

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