Since Joe Gibbs Racing has lifted a two-year ban on dirt racing attempts for its drivers, there is a wave of excitement among fans. And, with the Chili Bowl Midgets Nationals in January, keeping calm is a hard task. Think about it. It has the potential to resurrect the (in) famous Larson-Bell rivalry. And, aren’t we here for it?

But where are we getting all this from? Well, a few days back, in a press appearance, Christopher Bell let us on his plans for dirt racing, especially the 39th Chili Bowl Midgets Nationals, set to happen in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Who is better at Dirt Racing, Larson or Bell?

Christopher Bell has nine career Cup wins, with his latest victory in June 2024 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. In 2020, Bell raced full-time for Leavine Family Racing in the No. 95 Toyota during his rookie year. Before that, he competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Joe Gibbs Racing, where he achieved 19 wins. Bell also won the Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2017 and has seven wins in that series. Versatile, much? Well, you might want to read on.

However, it’s important to note here that C. Bell has also made a mark in dirt racing. In fact, there was a time in the Chili Bowl Nationals when only Bell or his competitor Larson won, from 2017 to 2021. C. Bell has also achieved three consecutive victories, clinching his third title in that event with a thrilling last-lap overtaking of Larson. But, following that, Larson secured wins in the race for the next two years. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Bell is thrilled with Joe Gibbs Racing’s dirt racing ban being lifted.

In a recent press appearance, when asked, a reporter told Bell that Larson wanted to beat him one more time. Bell smiled and couldn’t help saying, “He’s (Larson) gonna have an upper hand for a little while. He’s got what, a two-year head start on me. so, I am going to have my dirt shoes underneath me again and get back up to speed, But, you know, I hope at some point, I can get back up to speed. The tough part is being out of the car for so long. Hopefully, it’s like riding a bike. I guess we are about to find out.”

Further, when asked about his schedule for Dirt Racing, and if he has one, he said he doesn’t, but he loves the Chili Bowl. “When it comes to dirt racing, I don’t like to make a schedule. I just go week by week. And if my week turns out to be quiet, I’ll look for opportunities to go race. And, then it’s a matter of who has a car available, what car I can get in, stuff like that. It is nice to know it’s in my hands and the competition staff’s hands. I am excited about it. I am certainly looking forward to reconnecting with my dirt fans.”

While he didn’t give a straight answer to whether he will race in the next Chili Bowl, he did say, “I am not sure if I’ll be driving or not. But, I’ll be there. my father-in-law’s got a team there. I’ll have my cars. Aside from that, I don’t have anything planned yet. I have some stuff going on, I have to sort through that and then I’ll be team dirties.“

How close is Christopher Bell?

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In the last press appearance, Christopher said, “I love Chili Bowl.” And we believe him. So, then why is he not saying aloud that he will be competing in January? “I have a personal job to complete,” Bell said.

It would be interesting to note here that Christopher Bell has a strong connection to dirt racing, and that has influenced his career. As per NASCAR’s staff report, “The Oklahoma native is one of the most accomplished active dirt racers, one of just three drivers to win the famed Chili Bowl Nationals midget race at least three times.”

He told the Athletic that he used to enjoy the late-night lifestyle typical of dirt racers. But when he moved to NASCAR, he adjusted to a more regular schedule. In a 2021 The Athletic report, Bell shared a funny and embarrassing story from his dirt racing days. He once mistook a white flag for the checkered flag, which happens more often than you’d think, especially on dirt tracks where drivers don’t always have radios. This shows that racing requires mental sharpness as well as speed.

Although Bell feels drawn back to Indiana, a hub for dirt racing, he has grown to like Charlotte. His time there has been fulfilling, but he still values his roots in the dirt racing community, which remains an important part of his racing identity.

Do you want Christopher Bell to race in January?