It appears the racing tides are turning within NASCAR as the spotlight shifts from long-standing veterans Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch to the rising star, Christopher Bell. Hamlin recently jestingly advised his rival Busch to “quit racing” after Busch impressed fans with his vocal prowess in The CW broadcast booth for the Las Vegas Xfinity race. Yet, this statement may carry more weight than intended, as it seems to echo the waning supremacy of both Busch and Hamlin on the track.
Bell, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, is taking NASCAR by storm. He’s tasted victory in three consecutive Cup Series races, carving a golden path in the process. His #20 car shows no signs of slowing down, much to the chagrin of the seasoned leaders.
Bell had been traditionally known for his quiet demeanor, maintaining that his reticent approach was a key contributor to his success on the track. However, his attitude underwent a significant shift following an event at last year’s playoff race in Martinsville. After a controversial “wall ride” maneuver landed him ahead of William Byron, NASCAR penalized Bell amid allegations of race manipulation by Toyota and Chevrolet, invalidating his Championship 4 berth. “I feel cheated out of a chance to compete for a championship,” Bell expressed, igniting a fire within him that has fueled his recent successes, including three victories, multiple top-5 and top-10 finishes, and an accumulation of more points than any other competitor.
Hamlin, on the other hand, a 54-time Cup Series race winner, is battling a significant loss of sponsorships from FedEx and Mavis Tires, along with the departure of his trusted crew chief, Chris Gabehart. Despite multiple close calls, Hamlin has not tasted victory since midway through last season and has missed the Championship 4 for the past three years – a stark contrast to Bell’s recent achievements.
Kyle Busch, despite being a two-time Cup Series champion and one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers, also appears to be in a slump, with a 62-race winless streak plaguing him since early in the 2023 season. Hence, Jeff Gluck’s comment to Eric Estepp about NASCAR’s focus shifting towards Bell resonates strongly.
Bell’s increased visibility is also reflected in his public appearances. For instance, he recently joined Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suarez, and Chase Elliott in Mexico City for a promotional campaign. His growing influence in NASCAR is also apparent in the organization’s tolerance of his unconventional moves, such as the one he pulled off in Las Vegas recently.
The Las Vegas incident, where Bell’s team demonstrated an unprecedented strategy, was lauded by NASCAR. After qualifying 13th, Bell dropped to the rear due to a throttle body change. Despite a pit stop hindering his pace, a smart decision by his crew chief prevented a larger safety issue and a bigger penalty. NASCAR managing director of racing communication, Mike Forde, commended the team’s actions as they averted a potentially dangerous situation.
As Bell continues to ascend within NASCAR, Hamlin and Busch seem to be fading into the background. It begs the question – is Christopher Bell the new face of NASCAR? Only time will tell.
