Joe Gibbs’ Right Hand Man Revels in Their $1,000,000 Win With Bold Prediction for NWS

“We’re going to have Cup action on that racetrack.” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said these words soon after reviving a 0.625-mile short track in 2023. North Wilkesboro Speedway had abandoned operations in 1997, so the comeback drew a lot of speculation and doubts. But considering Christopher Bell’s jaw-dropping victory at the 3rd All-Star Race held there, a Joe Gibbs Racing veteran is advocating for something a notch higher.

The 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race unfolded with a lot of pomp and anticipation. That is because the sanctioning body introduced novel changes, extending the race by 250 laps and introducing a competition caution. Despite the doubts, these changes ended up spicing up the event and consolidating the track’s greatness.

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran drops a snazzy verdict

Well, the exhibition race on Sunday was a treat for all those who were watching. The 250-lap event witnessed 18 lead changes among 8 different leaders, an all-time All-Star record. Joey Logano looked like he was the star of the show, leading 139 laps. However, he had many capable competitors. Brad Keselowski led 62 laps after winning the Heat Race, but his efforts came undone due to a technical issue. Then Ross Chastain rebounded from a crash with Austin Cindric and finished 3rd. But the maximum resistance came from Christopher Bell. The No. 20 JGR driver took two opportune tires during the competition caution, and that eventually helped him topple Logano’s lead with 10 laps to go.

Christopher Bell clinched his first All-Star Race win after his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates did before him. Grabbing $1 million and posing on Victory Lane at the hallowed racetrack was enough to make JGR’s competition director, Chris Gabehart, beam with happiness. Gabehart wrote on X: “And now 💰💰💰💰💰💰! @CBellRacing and all of my @JoeGibbsRacing teammates got it done @NASCAR All Star event. Awesome job!” What is more, Gabehart suggested that NASCAR add points to this dramatic racetrack: “And how about @NWBSpeedway putting on a heck of a show!? The only thing that would make it better are 20 more cars, 400 laps, and points on the line!”

During a post-race interview, Fox Sports pit reporter Jamie Little asked Christopher Bell what he thinks about a points-paying race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bell roared into the microphone: “Let’s go!!” Bell also delivered his ultimate verdict on the track: “That right there is absolutely incredible. North Wilkesboro: best short track on the schedule.“ Indeed, Bell is not wrong, as his spectacular run was not the only thing that made North Wilkesboro dazzle. Shane Van Gisbergen clinched the pole for the All-Star Open and led for the first 54 laps. Although he fell from 1st to 6th on a four-tire pit stop, his improved pace proved that NWS is doing a lot of racers good. However, he is not the only driver voicing this support for the track.

NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick also believes the track has a lot of potential. And the All-Star race gives room to so many innovations. Harvick said, “North Wilkesboro deserves to be a points race. A full 400-lap race, the whole field, real stakes.” Even Joey Logano, who voiced his frustration regarding the untimely caution, echoed the positive sentiment about the track. He said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns into a points race.” 

Christopher Bell’s victory is leading industry experts to contemplate a schedule change. It might turn out to be successful, as the No. 20 JGR driver has already spearheaded change this season.

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Bell set a genius trend

Talk about being a true star of the sport. Christopher Bell has proven that several times. He went on a three-peat glorious streak at Atlanta, COTA, and Phoenix. It was a feat never seen before in the Next-Gen era. Similarly, Bell did something at Las Vegas that seems like common sense, but is actually outright genius. The 2025 Pennzoil 400 race was plagued by a slew of loose tires and unexpected pit stops. Bell fell right in the thick of that mess. During a caution period, Bell left his pit with a loose left-front wheel. But due to Bell’s quick thinking, the driver stopped at Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe’s pit stall to tighten it and returned to the track. Thus, Bell set the precedent for something that had never been tried before in NASCAR.

Four days after his innovation, NASCAR issued a rule clarification. It specified that a pass-through penalty or a rear start would be awarded in case Bell’s action was repeated. But the fact that Bell saved his team from a flurry of suspensions dazzled his Cup Series rivals. Even Joey Logano, Bell’s rival at the All-Star Race, had marveled at the genius act. “He was on the outside lane on pit road, he had to check up, get to the stall, find the stall, and then the pit crew, the (No.) 19 crew knew exactly where to go. That was the impressive part to me. The other pit crew had an idea of what to do.” A. J. Allmendinger commented, “Like everything we do in life, something to learn from.” William Byron also added, “That’s a pretty heads-up move.”

Clearly, Christopher Bell’s moves in North Wilkesboro may lead to something. We can only wait and see if Chris Gabehart’s wishes are fulfilled by NASCAR.