Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell is considered a perennial NASCAR Cup Series championship contender, finishing fifth or better in the title chase four of the last five seasons. He’s earned 13 wins and claimed top-10 finishes in nearly half of his starts — 113 such finishes in 230 total races.
However, the lone active track the 31-year-old Oklahoman hasn’t earned a NASCAR Cup Series top-10 finish? Michigan International Speedway, where the field will race on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
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The No. 20 JGR Toyota driver has a best finish of 13th at Michigan — three times, including in 2023, when he started from pole position. He’s led only 37 laps in seven starts and crashed out in two of the last four races there.
But there is reason an upswing could be on the horizon. He finished sixth in Saturday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the 2-miler, sweeping both stages and leading 37 laps. And he’s very optimistic about improving his Cup Series fortunes at the big track.
“Michigan, on paper, that’s my worst track, but I’m always super fast and competitive there,” Bell said, smiling at the irony. “I’m very much looking forward to going there. I’m sad we’re only going there once a year, but I’m looking forward to trying to get a good result there. It’s a fun race track. I have a lot of fun racing there.”