Despite a Victory in the Xfinity Series, Christopher Bell Remains Doubtful on His Cup Series Run

Christopher Bell’s record in the Xfinity Series this season is beyond impressive. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has competed in two races so far, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Darlington Raceway, and secured two wins. His performance at the 2024 Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 was particularly magnificent, as Bell led 103 out of the opening 137 laps. With such a dominant performance, one would think that the 29-year-old would be optimistic about his chances at the Cook Out Southern 500 in the Cup Series, right?

Wrong! The Oklahoma native has downplayed his chances at the final race of the regular Cup Series season. Whether it’s humility or a way to ease the pressure, Bell has publicly expressed his doubts about replicating the Xfinity Series result at NASCAR’s highest level.

Christopher Bell compares Xfinity and Cup Series cars

Christopher Bell showed qualities at Darlington Raceway that define what it means to be a champion. His triumph in the Xfinity Series race wasn’t an easy one, as he came back from a losing position not once but twice to finally enter Victory Lane. The first time occurred when a determined Sheldon Creed overtook his teammate with just 8 laps to go, as he continued his search to secure the first win of his season. However, a poor pit stop helped Bell regain his lead with 4 laps to go, but the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was then bumped by Cole Custer. Despite the scare of crashing into the inside wall, the 29-year-old held his composure to emerge victorious.

Bell, who finished 13th at the 2024 Goodyear 400 at Darlington in the Cup Series earlier this season, has cast doubts about his chances at the Cook Out Southern 500. When asked by SiriusXM NASCAR Radio about what he learned in the car during the Xfinity Series race that can be implemented in the final race tomorrow, Christopher Bell replied, “Well, probably not much. Xfinity cars and Cup cars are so different right now, but it was really good to get some laps here at Darlington.”

“Run around the wall, and get the feel for the wall. Maybe that will translate a little bit, but the cars are so different it’s hard to say.” Having already won thrice in the Cup Series so far, the pressure isn’t on Christopher Bell to secure a result at Darlington Raceway. However, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver will want to put his best foot forward in the final race of the regular season, so that momentum is on his side when playoffs begin at Atlanta Motor Speedway next week. His goal at the Cook Out Southern 500 will be to not just get another victory under his belt, but also secure stage wins in the process to get some valuable playoff points.

As things stand, Bell has won 19 races in NASCAR’s 2nd tier for Joe Gibbs Racing, making him the team’s 2nd winningest NASCAR Xfinity Series driver. If he manages to translate that form into the Cup Series, the Oklahoman could become a serious force to be reckoned with. Well, he managed to make it to Championship 4 in 2023, and given how he has improved ever since, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Christopher Bell can go a step further and secure the Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway.

Bell shares his views about Darlington Raceway being out of the playoffs

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Over the years, the Cook Out Southern 500 has been an important part of the playoffs, with the inaugural Round of 16 race hosted at Darlington Raceway in 2023. It isn’t a track Christopher Bell has particularly enjoyed racing on, as the Joe Gibbs Racing driver hasn’t finished higher than 5th place on the 1.366-mile oval. The decision to shift the event before the playoffs, so that it becomes the final race of the regular season, was a welcome change for the 29-year-old racing driver.

Speaking to Toby Christie, Christopher Bell said, “It is actually nice to have a Southern 500 out of the playoffs…with it being the first race of the playoffs like it was the past couple of years, it did feel like you had to be a little bit cautious racing that event because points were so important whereas now it being the regular season finale…I do feel like we can be a little bit more aggressive and try to go all out for a race win.”

Would an aggressive approach help Bell finally secure a Cup Series win at Darlington Raceway? Will he be able to cope with the increased expectations after a dominant Xfinity Series victory?

Time will tell, but what’s clear is that the Joe Gibbs Racing driver appears to be in the form of his life. Having finished in the top 6 in 3 of the last four races, momentum is on his side to get his 4th win of the season at the 2024 Cook Out Southern 500.

Do you think Christopher Bell will enter Victory Lane at Darlington? Let us know in the comments!