Both Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell have grown up competing in dirt racing. While Kyle Larson is more experienced, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is slowly but surely growing. A couple of weeks back, Bell registered his first win of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series at the Bristol Motor Speedway. However, his recent comments saw him side with Tony Stewart while countering Larson’s comments following the race in Tennessee.
Not every driver thinks in the same fashion. Having said that, Bell’s recent opinion resonates with Stewart’s ideology. From his comments, it is clear that the JGR driver’s thoughts don’t align with those of Larson’s, and he used the example of Kyle Busch to drive his point home.
CHRISTOPHER BELL WINS THE DIRT RACE AT BRISTOL! pic.twitter.com/tkNfFFFyYX
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 10, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Christopher Bell contradicts Kyle Larson using Kyle Busch’s example from the Bristol Motor Speedway
A lot happened at the Bristol Motor Speedway earlier in April this year. Larson was involved in a dangerous tussle with Ryan Preece which eventually saw the Hendrick Motorsports driver suffer. Following the race, Larson was critical of the dirt racing track and believed the Cup Series shouldn’t host a dirt race.
However, one of his long-time admirers, Tony Stewart, doesn’t adhere to the same belief. The three-time Cup Series champion couldn’t speak highly enough of dirt racing. While the debate is very much on, recently Christopher Bell had his say on it.
Speaking on the SpeedFreaks show, Bell spoke about his experience at Bristol this year. He said, “It seemed like a pretty good race to me. It was not amazing the first year. Then the second year was pretty good and then, I thought this year was great.”
He further explained how the race got more interesting. Bell said, “I just led every lap but in stage two whenever I was in the middle of the pack, I was just blown away by guys passing for the lead. I remember Kyle Busch and Tyler Reddick were sliding each other back and forth and there were two and three wide where I was.
“It seemed like a pretty darn good race from my seat and I think, fortunately for Bristol Motor Speedway’s standpoint, they’re in a winning position whether it’s concrete or dirt, so good for them.” Clearly, the 28-year-old has given his seal of approval to continue dirt racing at Bristol.
In Bell’s words, more tussles like the one between Busch and Reddick could help in bringing more intensity to the race.
Furthermore, he even described how the dirt track at Bristol is only getting better with time.
Christopher Bell highlights the key details that have drastically improved dirt racing at Bristol
Trending
Despite 2023 Disaster, Chase Elliott Risks Angering Rick Hendrick by Choosing Alex Bowman’s HMS Banned Tactic
“There’s Going to Be a New Player”- Kyle Petty Warns the Entire NASCAR Garage With Bold Prediction About Spire Motorsports Star
Kurt Busch Finally Breaking Radio Silence After Criminal Charges Forced 3-Month-Long Hiatus Has NASCAR Fans Breathing Easy
Joey Logano Leaks NASCAR’s Threat to Kick Teams Out of Daytona 500 After Chevy’s Defiance to $400,000 Fine
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Was Caught Off-Guard by Ken Schrader’s Boozy ‘Bargaining’ Tactic
Over time, Christopher Bell is gaining more knowledge of the tracks and is only getting smarter. Speaking on the same SpeedFreaks show, he explained how in his opinion, dirt racing has improved in Tennessee.
Bell explained, “Yeah, I mean the key is 100% track preparation. The first year, they attempted to do it in the daytime and that is an epic No-No for dirt track racing and it was extremely hard to see.
“The track was literally coming apart because it was so dry and dust was flying everywhere, tires were getting destroyed.
“Then we learned from that, and then the next year, they made it a night race and it was definitely on the way to being really good. We had a couple of rain delays that I think hindered the overall event and then the third year, the weather was really good and the track was really good and it was a really good race.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Needless to say, dirt-track racing still divides opinions among drivers. Will it survive in the long run is a question difficult to answer. Which side are you on: Bell’s or Larson’s? Let us know in the comments below.
WATCH THIS STORY: “Wrecking Ball” Ross Chastain Adds More Fuel to Kyle Busch Rivalry as He Remains Bitter About “Glasses” Remark Amid Christopher Bell Altercation