NASCAR driver Christopher Bell is aware of what it feels wish to be shut.
Near a Daytona 500 win, sustaining a dominant season and competing for a Cup Collection crown, Bell enters 2026 chasing consistency — the distinction between sturdy seasons and title-winning ones.
Bell’s 2025 run delivered combined outcomes. He posted a career-high 4 wins, 22 top-10 finishes (tied for many with champion Kyle Larson) and a series-leading common end of 11.2. But Bell’s finest season didn’t unfold as he’d hoped.
It began with heartbreak.
Bell’s finest bid to win the Daytona 500 ended abruptly with a crash on Lap 195, in the end leaving him thirty first however oh-so-close, in response to his calculations. Third-place finishes in 2023 and 2024 have been extra spectacular on paper than on the asphalt of Daytona Worldwide Speedway, web site of the 68th version of the Nice American Race on Feb. 15.
“I used to be in place to win,” Bell recalled. “I used to be within the entrance of the pack and sadly bought wrecked out. However it’s a spot that anyone can win at any time.
“We’ve seen that over time.”
Somewhat than bemoan a close-call, Bell responded with three consecutive victories, establishing himself because the automotive to beat in Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 20.
As a substitute, the recent streak cooled.
Following a March 10 win at Phoenix, Bell went 24 races till he prevailed Sept. 13 at Bristol regardless of 11 top-10 finishes alongside the best way.
“I’m happy with the 2025 season,” he mentioned. “I simply have to perform a little bit higher job of capitalizing on the alternatives that we’ve to win.”
Bell, 31, is broadly thought to be considered one of NASCAR’s prime younger drivers.
Since a maiden victory on Daytona’s highway course in 2021, a race created in 2020 as a brief occasion in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bell has added a dozen wins to sit down on the head of the ballyhooed 2020 rookie crop. The category additionally featured Tyler Reddick, an eight-time winner, and Cole Custer, who has managed to succeed in Victory Lane simply as soon as.
However Bell is fast to credit score his affiliation with Joe Gibbs Racing and its Corridor of Fame proprietor.
“On this sport, you’re solely pretty much as good because the race automotive you’re in,” Bell mentioned.
A local of Norman, Oklahoma, Bell sees parallels between his journey and that of his beloved Sooners. Oklahoma reached the 2025 Faculty Soccer Playoff after a number of uneven seasons, solely to endure a crushing dwelling loss after main Alabama 17-0 within the opening spherical.
“It’s been tough a little bit bit for us, however we had a fairly good season this yr,” Bell mentioned. “It’s form of like me. We’ve to construct on it and try to get a little bit bit higher.”
Timing may very well be all the pieces for Bell.
NASCAR’s revamped postseason format did away with the elimination-style playoff system in place since 2014 and returned to a 10-race “Chase,” the place the champion is set by whole factors throughout the ultimate stretch.
The highest 16 drivers within the regular-season standings will qualify, with the very best level whole after the Nov. 8 finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway topped champion.
Regular, constant and infrequently out of competition, Bell is poised to capitalize.
Bell noticed the previous format undercut JGR teammate Denny Hamlin, who gained six races in 2025 and dominated the season finale at Phoenix till a late warning undid his championship hopes.
“All of us thought that Denny did all the pieces proper to win the championship, and it simply didn’t work out for him,” Bell mentioned. “Hopefully we get on monitor to with the ability to reward the best man for the championship.”
Bell desires that driver to be him, with the subsequent chapter of a promising profession written on the Daytona 500.
“Hopefully I get to proceed writing my storybook right here that I’ve bought happening,” he mentioned. “Hopefully I’m simply getting began.”
Edgar Thompson might be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com.
