Christopher Bell stands out not just for his prowess on the track but also for his undeniable passion for dirt racing. As a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, Bell has made a name for himself in the NASCAR Cup Series, amassing a remarkable nine career wins and earning a reputation as one of the sport’s rising stars. However, his love for racing extends beyond the main stage of stock cars. Bell’s roots in micro sprints and dirt track racing reveal a multifaceted driver eager to embrace every opportunity to compete.
With an exciting schedule ahead, including the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals and a return to 410 Sprint Car racing, Bell is gearing up for a whirlwind season. This year, as he navigates the challenges of balancing Cup Series ambitions with his passion for dirt tracks, Bell revealed his big takeaway from his years at the Tulsa Shootout.

Christopher Bell is a versatile driver who has made a mark in all three NASCAR series. And, now, he is back to his “roots” – dirt racing. Hailing from Oklahoma, he ranks among the top dirt racers currently competing, being one of only three individuals to secure victory in the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals midget race three times or more.

“I have a soft spot for micro sprints. I grew up running these things, and I love them,” Christopher Bell said at the Tulsa Shootout in Oklahoma. It was only in November 2024 that JGR decided to lift the ban on dirt racing for its drivers, which turned out to be a boon for Christopher Bell. The shift was unexpected yet appreciated by Bell, who is preparing for his fifth season with JGR and is aiming to make a comeback to the Championship 4. “It’s truly a barometer for young talent and talking about young guys coming up or you are looking at their stats. For me, I use the Tulsa Shootout. If you make a main at the Tulsa shootout, it’s pretty hard to fake that. That’s a huge notch on the belt. It truly is a talent barometer,” Bell said to Flo Racing.

Christopher Bell has an old relationship with dirt and it’s no wonder he sees it as the perfect way of seeing if a driver has the skill. It’s worth mentioning that Bell ascended to the highest levels of NASCAR through his background in dirt racing. He started his racing journey at the I-44 Riverside Speedway and soon earned acknowledgment for his success in the USAC Midget series after filling in for experienced dirt racer Kyle Larson at Keith Kunz Racing. In 2015, Christopher Bell clinched his inaugural victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (formerly known as the Camping World Truck Series) at Eldora Speedway, which features a dirt track, during only his third race of the season. In fact, in 2023, his win at Bristol Motor Speedway can also be attributed to his background in dirt racing.

Similarly, another dominant driver, Kyle Larson, also came up through the ranks of dirt racing. He began racing in Outlaw Karts at the mere age of seven. Not just Larson, but even Kyle Busch tested his mettle this year by racing at the Tulsa Shootout for the first time. Dirt racing is indeed one of the best places for new drivers to come through.

Coming back to the Tulsa Shootout, in the Winged Outlaw and the Non-Wing Outlaw divisions, Bell raced with the No. 21x Bill-Kemenah Racing Micro Sprint team. He also owns a micro-sprint team with his father-in-law. “The Outlaw Non-Wing (qualifying) race…restarted fifth and left some points on the table… just been missing a little bit, but it felt really good in that Qualifier to finally make up for and get some points put on the front row,” Bell said. While talking to the Flo reporter, Bell was hardly able to conceal his glee at entering a dirt car. However, his journey is far from over in this area.

What’s next for Christopher Bell?

While it looked impossible last year, Christopher Bell can find himself returning to dirt tracks this year. With Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe both interested in dirt racing, Joe Gibbs Racing relented and let drivers request to race outside the Cup Series, and Bell is making full use of it.

After wrapping up his commitments in Tulsa, he’ll compete in the Chili Bowl Nationals from January 12-18, driving the No. 71W for Keith Kunz Motorsports. This is the same car number he used to secure three consecutive Golden Driller trophies between 2017 and 2019. In February, he will return to 410 Sprint Car racing with Kreitz Racing’s No. 69K team, kicking things off at the World of Outlaws season opener on February 5.

If all goes well, he plans to remain at Volusia Speedway to race again on February 6. Following that, he will head to Las Vegas for the Kubota High Limit Racing Series season opener on March 13. It’s shaping up to be a hectic three months for Bell, and Gibbs can only hope that his packed schedule doesn’t impact his performance in the Cup Series.

What. are your thoughts on Christopher Bell racing dirt?