New Hampshire Motor Speedway witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions from Christopher Bell and his #20 racing team during Monday’s Crayon 301. Despite showing impressive speed and potential, their dreams of a top 5 finish or victory quickly evaporated due to a series of unfortunate events.

The race unfolded like a rollercoaster ride for Bell and his crew chief, because of loose wheels, slow pit stops, bad strategic calls, and a heart-wrenching crash. 

Joe Gibbs Racing member apologizes to Christopher Bell

With just 30 laps to go, crew chief, Adam Stevens, made a strategic call to pit for 4 tires while most other leaders opted for two. Unfortunately, the call proved irrelevant as Bell spun in Turn 3 while pushing hard on his fresh tires with only 14 laps remaining.

The impact severely damaged his car, causing him to fall two laps down and finish a disappointing 29th.

Adam Stevens could be heard apologizing on the radio. He said “ All right, Bell, we keep putting it on your shoulders here. It’s not fair, and it ain’t f**king fun. I can tell you that,” before Bell could lose his calm.

Stevens had strategized with the expectation that some cars in front of Bell would take right-side tires during the final pit stop. He calculated that Bell would restart sixth with two tires, while with four tires, he would restart ninth. Thus, the decision to take four tires seemed logical, even though Bell ultimately had no say.

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Bell showcased remarkable resilience and determination. The 28-year-old driver powered through the field, displaying his skill and driving prowess. Running some of his best laps during the final stage, he showcased the true potential of his #20 Toyota Camry.

Nonetheless, fate had a different plan.

The calculated gamble that backfired on Christopher Bell 

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The Joe Gibbs Racing team encountered difficulties from the outset as a loose wheel forced Bell to make an additional pit stop during the first stage. Consequently, he restarted at the back of the pack, setting the tone for a challenging race. Compounding their troubles were slow pit stops that plagued the team throughout the day.

At the pit stop, Bell asked, “Hope you didn’t tighten it up now?” 

“It’s early; good cars will make their way to the front,” Stevens had advised.

Reflecting on the race, Bell admitted, “Just got loose over the bumps and spun it.” The crash served as the final chapter of a nightmarish day for the JGR team, leaving them in the garage area devoid of smiles as they packed up their impaired vehicle.

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In the unpredictable realm of NASCAR Cup Series racing, the Crayon 301 was a stark reminder of the fine line between triumph and disappointment. For Christopher Bell and the #20 team, the race unfolded as a tale of missed opportunities and unfortunate circumstances. Yet, they remain determined to capitalize on their potential in future races.