With seven runner-up finishes this season, Bell aims to secure a trophy as playoffs approach
Category: Sports
LOUDON, N.H. — Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell is optimistic about his chances of securing his first NASCAR Cup Series victory of 2026 as he prepares for the penultimate race of the regular season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. After achieving seven runner-up finishes this season, the 31-year-old Oklahoma native hopes to finally hoist a trophy this weekend.
New Hampshire has been a particularly favorable venue for Bell, who has won two of the last four Cup Series races at the one-mile track. He will start from sixth position and is currently ranked seventh in the championship standings, tied in points with Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott. Bell is just 20 points behind his JGR teammate Chase Briscoe, who sits in fifth place.
Bell's performance leading up to this race has been strong, as he recorded top-five single lap speed during Saturday’s practice and was the fastest over a 10-lap run. "We know that this is a huge opportunity for us," Bell said, highlighting the importance of the remaining regular season races, which include the unpredictable Daytona International Speedway next week. "I think this one is kind of in our hands to where we can control our own destiny. And then Daytona, we’re just going to go out there and basically ‘go to Vegas and gamble’ and see what happens."
Bell's consistency has been a key factor in his championship contention under NASCAR's new playoff format, which rewards drivers for strong finishes even if they do not win. He stated, "The seven second-place finishes meant nothing in the previous format, but now I’m getting rewarded for those finishes. I’ve enjoyed racing under this format." This shift has made every race and position more impactful, emphasizing the importance of qualifying and stage results.
As Bell looks to capitalize on his experience at New Hampshire, he reflects on his past successes at the track. He has seven victories across 12 national-series starts at New Hampshire, attributing part of his success to early seat time with Kyle Busch Motorsports. "When I first came here, I had already competed in a Super Late Model and participated in a rookie test," Bell recalled. "That experience remains valuable at a track where younger drivers often arrive with limited laps."
Meanwhile, Team Penske drivers Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano are also looking to add to their success at New Hampshire. Blaney, who won the previous year’s race, joked about the traditional winner's trophy — a giant live lobster. "You can’t eat them. They’re too old. I learned that in victory lane," he said. Logano, recalling his first lobster trophy in 2009, added, "I didn’t know what I was gonna do with this huge lobster, and so it was like, ‘Why don’t you just put it on a plaque?’"
As the championship picture tightens, Bell is focused on maximizing his points at New Hampshire. With the reset for the Chase following the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, every point is valuable. "I look at the points once or twice a week, usually the night after the race to see where everyone is at," Blaney explained, emphasizing the importance of strategy. "We strategize to try to win the race and then the points stuff takes care of itself."
In the battle for the final Chase position, Trackhouse Racing driver Shane van Gisbergen is currently holding onto the 16th spot, which is the last transfer position into the playoffs. He is 50 points ahead of 17th place Ryan Preece and 63 points ahead of his teammate Ross Chastain. Van Gisbergen, a two-time winner this season, stated that he always races to maximize points and does not focus on his competitors during the race. "Every week we’re thinking about points," he said. "I’m just ‘mindful’ of who I’m racing."
Chastain echoed van Gisbergen’s sentiment, stating he is more focused on improving his own performance rather than keeping tabs on his competitors. "Just looking for speed, just trying to go faster," he said. His approach reflects the broader mindset among drivers as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.
Looking ahead, Bell is determined to secure a strong finish at New Hampshire. He aims to achieve top 10 results in both stages of the race and contend for a top-five finish. With the unpredictability of Daytona on the horizon, Bell sees this weekend as an opportunity to solidify his standing before the playoffs begin. "I think we’re in as good a spot as we could have asked for, considering the circumstances of 2026 for us," Bell remarked.
The regular-season finale at Daytona is set to be a high-stakes race, with drivers aware that anything can happen on the track. Bell noted the need for a good performance at New Hampshire to alleviate pressure heading into Daytona. "A lot of unknown next week, so would be nice to have a good week and try not to have big pressure next week," he said. With the Chase beginning at Darlington Raceway on September 6, every driver is eager to make their mark in the final races.
As the NASCAR Cup Series heads into its final stretch, the competition intensifies, and drivers like Bell are focused on making the most of their opportunities. The stakes are high, and every point counts as they vie for a chance at the championship. Bell's consistency and experience at New Hampshire could prove to be the key to unlocking his first victory of the season.
As the green flag waves on Sunday, attention will turn to Bell and his quest for a breakthrough performance at New Hampshire, setting the stage for an exhilarating finish to the regular season.