Bell's 2025 balancing act with NASCAR and his long-awaited return to the sector

After an exciting battle with Kyle Larson, the Toyota-powered Christopher Bell won the Non-Wing Outlaw Golden Driller on the Tulsa Shootout earlier this month. As he exits his automotive victorious, he shouts, “I have four words: Thank you, Joe Gibbs!”

And he had loads of reasons to be grateful. Bell, a three-time winner of the Chili Bowl Nationals and Turkey Night Grand Prix, has been informed by his team that he’ll now not give you the chance to compete in off-road racing in 2023. After a two-year break, he returns and collects trophies, but why was he immediately sidelined?

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“Most people in the company were fascinated by and supported dirt track racing,” Bell said during a media appearance on the Chili Bowl earlier this week. “Joe has always been very concerned about this and wants to make sure I stay healthy throughout my NASCAR career, and any time you open yourself up to other races it's risky. So I try to show him everything I can.” respect and select my races properly and be sure that I don't steal anything from the NASCAR Cup Series schedule.”

Coach Joe Gibbs, Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, Rheem Toyota Camry

Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

Bell also believes that off-road racing can “make my Sunday better.” [NASCAR] results and turn out to be a greater driver.” The Toyota driver has finished 4th within the 4 Championship twice within the last three seasons, but a Cup title still eludes him, while fellow off-road racing enthusiast Larson is continuously on the road and still manages to be among the finest drivers in all of NASCAR .

However, even on this return, Bell shouldn’t be expected to host the quantity of events Larson is accustomed to. For example, the distinguished national competition in Knoxville is probably going not on his schedule for 2025. And that's not on the behest of Coach Gibbs himself – it's just that Bell has sensible plans for the approaching yr.

“[Joe Gibbs is] I actually have lots of confidence in myself and our starting group at Joe Gibbs Racing to make smart decisions and be sure that I'm managing the danger appropriately and putting on races that can profit me as a driver, give me a bit of more freedom to have a good time. And Saturday's races [like Knoxville] shall be very, very difficult, if not inconceivable, for me because I don't wish to do anything that may stop me from being at my best on Sundays.”

Indy 500 in Bell's future?

Returning to the subject of open-wheel cars, Motorsport.com's Joey Barnes asked Bell about his Indy 500 aspirations and whether Gibbs would let him participate in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

“Going back to what I said earlier, I want to respect Joe and not take advantage of what he's giving me right now,” Bell said. “I feel like if I were to do the Indy 500, I wouldn't give you the chance to place my maximum effort into one in all our biggest races of the yr – the Coca-Cola 600 [where Bell is the defending winner].

“I would never rule out the Indy 500. I would love to do it one day, but right now I have a lot left on my NASCAR resume before I'm willing to jeopardize my performance on a big weekend in NASCAR.”