Qualifying 4th behind the surprise title winner Shane Van Gisbergen, Christopher Bell enjoyed a fairly great race this past Sunday. Leading for 12 of the 20-lap first stage, the Joe Gibbs Racing #20 driver clinched his first stage victory of the 2023 season. Dominating the field again, Bell claimed the win in stage two as well. So what went wrong?

While he was looking forward to bagging the Chicago title, his quest was cut short, after a Turn 1 crash on lap 56. However, he had some choice words for NASCAR and a few other drivers even before that. As it happened, Christopher Bell felt he was robbed of his win by one of NASCAR’s decisions that they made during the race.

Christopher Bell Expresses His Frustration at NASCAR’s Decision

Enjoying the first two-stage wins of the Cup Series Grant Park 220, the JGR driver’s onslaught ended when NASCAR decided to shorten the race length by 25 laps.

Keeping the impending sunset in mind, NASCAR believed pushing on the race in the dark wouldn’t be viable. As the chatter took over team radios about NASCAR’s decision, Bell and his crew chief, Adam Stevens, felt cheated by NASCAR.

Bell’s frustration was aptly expressed by his radio chat with Stevens. Ranting about NASCAR’s decision, Christopher Bell even went on to insult Chase Elliott and ten other drivers. 

According to NASCAR Journalist Toby Christie, Bell said, “Well, there it is, they (NASCAR) f**ked us. Now all of those other jerks (Elliott and others) that pitted before they announced it already got fuel and tires.”

To provide some context, Christopher Bell pitted for fuel and tires after NASCAR announced the race was being shortened. Having pitted earlier for fuel and tires, Chase Elliott and ten other drivers stayed on track, gaining multiple spots while under caution. Following the pit stop, the JGR #20 driver restarted at the 12th position. So with NASCAR announcing the last 25 laps to be scrapped, Bell’s strategy fell on its face as the drivers who stayed out had sufficient fuel to make it past the 75-lap finish. 

Unable to make up for the lost spots, Bell’s Chicago quest ended on lap 56 when Bell’s #20 car slipped and crashed into the tire wall at Turn 1. Having won the two earlier stages, Christopher Bell finished in a disappointing 18th position.

Watch This Story: Heartbroken Chase Elliott Admits Defeat Hours Ahead Of The Chicago Street Race

While Christopher Bell blamed NASCAR for him losing spots in the rankings, Twitter fans called out Bell’s unreliable strategy.

“A Joke”: Fans Call Out Christopher Bell’s Judgment Skills Using SVG as an Example

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Calling out Christopher Bell for his lack of proper judgment, fans even put forth the example of race winner Shane Van Gisbergen. Responding to Toby Christie’s tweet that revealed Bell’s radio chatter, some fans commented, “This whole thing is a joke” and “Awwwww poor baby you had chance to pit also”. Here are some more comments from fans.

“I mean, everyone knew it was coming. They knew darkness is x time”

“If his talent was as bud as SVG’a he could have driven back to the front.”

“Granted it sucked BUT Shane van Gisbergen re-started at 18 after that announcement as well.”

“He had the opportunity to pit too [laughing emoji]”

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Was Christopher Bell’s rant justified? Let us know in the comments.