Christopher Bell is back where he feels most at home—tearing it up on the dirt in Tulsa. For the past few years, though, he had to watch from the sidelines as his beloved Chili Bowl Nationals carried on without him, all thanks to Joe Gibbs Racing’s (JGR) no-dirt-racing policy. It wasn’t just disappointing for Bell—it was downright heartbreaking. But now? That frustrating chapter is officially closed.

JGR’s policy barring drivers from competing outside of NASCAR is history, and Bell wasted no time getting back to what he loves. His triumphant return at the Tulsa Shootout was a picture-perfect way to kick things off. But it’s not just the dirt victories that are grabbing attention—it’s what JGR did afterward that really made Christopher Bell’s and his fans’ day.

This week, JGR posted a video showing Bell rolling his Tulsa Shootout-winning micro-sprint right into their headquarters. That’s right—the car now sits proudly in the lobby for all to see. “It’s pretty cool,” Bell said with a grin.

Fans celebrate Bell’s return—and his Tulsa triumph

For Bell’s fans, this comeback has been nothing short of a king’s homecoming. After years of wondering if they’d ever see their dirt-racing hero back on the surface he loves, Bell delivered in spectacular fashion at the Tulsa Shootout.

The Non-Wing Outlaw feature race was everything fans could’ve hoped for, with Bell going toe-to-toe with his longtime rival and fellow NASCAR star Kyle Larson. For 55 intense laps, the two battled it out, trading the lead and pushing each other to the edge. It was pure racing theatre, and the finish didn’t disappoint. Larson even tried a last-ditch wall ride, reminiscent of Ross Chastain’s famous ‘Hail Melon’ move, to steal the win. But Bell stayed characteristically cool, held his line, and crossed the finish line first.

When the dust settled, Bell didn’t hold back his gratitude. “I’ve got four words: ‘Thank you, Joe Gibbs!’” he said, clearly savoring the moment. Even Larson gave him props, saying, “I’m happy that he’s allowed to run dirt cars again because the sport needs it.”

To celebrate Bell’s success at the Tulsa Shootout, JGR gave his winning micro-sprint car a place of honor right in their headquarters’ lobby. It’s a pleasantly surprising move that shows just how much the team is embracing this new era of freedom—and how proud they are of Bell.

Fans were just as enthusiastic about Bell’s return and his winning steed being shown off in the lobby. “Coach finally got with the times,” one fan commented online. “You gotta let a driver drive since we don’t have near the testing we had back in the old days to sharpen and keep skills sharp.” Another chimed in, “Super rad that Coach let him put it out front!”

For Bell, though, this was about reconnecting with a part of his life that he missed dearly, just as much as it was about winning. “It’s painful whenever it goes on and you’re not there,” he admitted, reflecting on those years away from the Chili Bowl. “You want to be able to watch the races, it’s the atmosphere… You watch it at home on FloRacing, and you get the visuals, but you don’t get the atmosphere.”

The Chili Bowl has always been special to Bell, and it’s easy to see why. As a native of Norman, Oklahoma, the event is practically in his backyard. He’s already won it three times, and now he’s hungry for a fourth Golden Driller trophy.

JGR’s shift in policy has been a game-changer, not just for Bell but for the team’s overall approach to supporting its drivers. A big part of that shift came from Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs’ grandson, who’s recently been a huge advocate for dirt racing. His influence helped nudge the team toward lifting the ban, and the timing couldn’t have been better as one fan gave Ty his flowers, “Thanks to Ty they can do this again. Go get em at the Chili Bowl Ty!!”

With the Chili Bowl Nationals just around the corner, anticipation is at an all-time high. Bell’s return is one of the headlines, but he’s not the only big name in the mix. Kyle Larson, a two-time Chili Bowl winner, is still a major threat, and Kyle Busch’s debut appearance adds even more excitement. Then there’s Ty Gibbs, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and J. J. Yeley amongst many other talented drivers—all ready to throw down in what promises to be an absolutely stacked field.

For Bell, his performance at the Tulsa Shootout showed he hasn’t missed a beat, even after all those years away. And for fans, this is the moment they’ve been waiting for—a chance to see their favorite dirt-racing star back where he belongs.

“Absolutely thrilled for C. Bell! Such a fantastic win!” one fan wrote, summing up what so many others are feeling.