Just one race stands between the NASCAR Cup Series grand finale at Phoenix, and things couldn’t be tighter. Two Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe, have already punched their tickets to the Championship 4 with statement wins at Las Vegas and Talladega. Now, all eyes are on Christopher Bell, the third Joe Gibbs Racing contender still fighting for his shot at the title.

But while the pressure mounts on the track, there’s another storyline brewing behind the pit wall. Bell’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, isn’t just chasing a championship. In fact, he’s eyeing something far rarer. With a chance to complete a historic team sweep, Stevens is balancing hope, strategy, and a little déjà vu from a feat Joe Gibbs Racing once pulled off years ago.

Christopher Bell and Adam Stevens chase JGR triple

Christopher Bell’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, believes Joe Gibbs Racing has a chance to achieve something that no other four-car organization in NASCAR has managed since 2019 – placing three drivers in the Championship 4. With Bell sitting third in the standings, 37 points above the cutoff, his path to Phoenix depends on keeping mistakes and misfortune at bay.

“It would be awesome from a company standpoint. You know, that’s tough to do. It’s tough to get one in there, you know, we already have two, and hopefully we can claw our way in there as well.” Stevens said ahead of the Martinsville race. Bell entered the 2025 playoffs with four victories and 21 top-10 finishes, giving him a strong position among title contenders.

A solid result this weekend would secure his place alongside teammates Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe, creating a potential “three-car threat” for the organization. Stevens acknowledged the difficulty of pulling it off in NASCAR’s unpredictable playoff format. “It’s not easy. It’s fun to do. But it’s tough.” he added.

The achievement wouldn’t be unprecedented for Stevens or for Joe Gibbs Racing. Back in 2019, the team became the first and only four-car NASCAR organization to send three drivers to the Championship 4. That year, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., and Denny Hamlin all fought for the title at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with ‘Rowdy’ ultimately clinching the championship under Stevens’ guidance. The feat remains a benchmark of organizational dominance in NASCAR’s modern history.

As Martinsville looms, Bell’s No. 20 Toyota team has momentum and experience on its side. But with playoff chaos always just one restart away, Stevens knows the task remains monumental. Can Joe Gibbs Racing recreate its 2019 magic and deliver another three-car title battle at Phoenix? The next 500 laps at Martinsville may hold the answer.

Bell’s Martinsville strength could secure his Phoenix berth

Christopher Bell enters Martinsville among the Cup Series’ most consistent short-track performers, holding third in the playoff standings. With a pole and second-place finish earlier this season and a win at the 2022 Xfinity 500, Bell’s track record gives him a crucial cushion heading into the penultimate race this season. If numbers are anything to go by, 13 top fives and an 11.3 average finish highlight his adaptability across varying conditions.

Martinsville has long suited Bell’s precision-based driving style. He thrives on managing braking zones and maintaining corner speeds through long green-flag runs, two traits essential to survival at the “paperclip.” His second-place finish in the spring race marked one of his most complete performances of the year. A clean top-10 finish, without an upset win from a driver below the cutline, should be enough to secure Bell’s advance. However, the Oklahoman’s focus will be on avoiding chaos and protecting points.

The playoff equation becomes even more favorable for Bell, given the plight of his threats. For instance, Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, both from Team Penske, face must-win situations. Blaney, the defending 2024 Xfinity 500 winner, trails by 47 points and needs a third straight victory at the track to re-enter the Championship 4 conversation. Similarly, Joey Logano also sits deep in the standings (-38) and realistically requires a win to survive.

Their desperation plays directly into Bell’s (as well as Larson and Byron’s) advantage. However, Team Penske can’t be ruled out at Martinsville, especially given their playoff comeback history. That being said, even without a win, Bell’s consistency positions him safely for Phoenix. A clean, patient race should be enough to push him through. And if fortune holds, he could help Joe Gibbs Racing achieve an impressive feat: three cars battling for the Cup title at the sport’s biggest stage.