Confronted by Raging Kyle Busch, Apologetic Christopher Bell Denies Foul Intentions Behind Repeated Wreckouts

The 2024 Echopark Automotive Grand Prix was a race filled with exciting moments. From Kamui Kobayashi getting a reality check from Cup drivers to Shane van Gisbergen’s heartache, there was a curveball thrown every driver’s way. But perhaps what Christopher Bell was least expecting after sealing a dominant podium was the wrath of Kyle Busch.

For much of the first road course race of the 2024 season, Christopher Bell was a top contender for the win. Trailing behind leader William Byron by a hair length for much of the closing stage, Bell finished second, making Joe Gibbs a very happy man. Unfortunately, Christopher Bell’s former JGR teammate, Kyle Busch, wasn’t too happy with Bell’s run-in with him earlier in the race.

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Busch’s #8 RCR was running well behind Tyler Reddick, who was equally promising throughout the race. This is when the RCR driver was tapped by Christopher Bell heading in turn one, sending Busch into a spin. Earlier, Bell also made contact with Kyle Larson, triggering a similar fate for the #5 HMS driver.

Whilst Kyle Larson didn’t have much to say, Kyle Busch reminded everyone why he’s called ‘Rowdy’. He shared a few heated words with Bell after the race that were inaudible on camera. Fortunately, no punches were exchanged like the RCR driver had been hoping for earlier when Logano had his run-in with Gibbs.

After the tensions had boiled over, Christopher Bell dissected the incident, finding little fault of his own. PRNLive quoted Larson on X, “The Kyle Larson incident was totally my fault and I take ownership of it. The Kyle Busch situation, he opened his entry up and I got into him. I didn’t mean to spin him out.”

In Larson’s case, Bell was too hot on the brakes and failed to make the corner, clipping the #5 driver. But in the case of the Busch incident, the #8 had perhaps closed the door a little too late on Bell’s Camry. During FOX’s broadcast, Bell went into further detail about his altercation with Busch.

The #20 Joe Gibbs Racing driver stated, “He’s (Busch) very upset, which, you know, he ended up turned around. And first off, I’m sorry to Larson and the #5 car, I got him earlier in the race, and by no intention at all, I didn’t mean to do that.”

Sharing Busch’s frustration with the incident, Bell felt Busch was already battling Reddick before the corner, and the #20 just committed to the inside line. He concluded, “I don’t know, they were two wide going in there. I haven’t obviously seen a replay yet but I had no intentions of turning him and I’m sure we’ll talk it out before the next race.” 

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Whilst Christopher Bell finished 2nd, Busch came home in 9th place. A result he isn’t too pleased with. With that said, at least it wasn’t as unfortunate as Kyle Larson’s 18th-place finish. But do you think Busch’s reaction was justified?