Christopher Bell is fast making his name as NASCAR’s new ‘Closer’. Following up on last season’s performance, he emerged as a playoff hero when it mattered most at Homestead. After a stellar 2023 season, he will make a second consecutive appearance in the Championship 4.

The #20 team, however, did have a big area of concern in the playoffs. This could be the one lingering factor that could stand between Bell and his championship dreams. An esteemed NASCAR insider has now highlighted this issue, putting Joe Gibbs Racing on the spot.

Steve Letarte claims pit road performance is JGR’s weakest link heading into Phoenix

Interchanging pit crew members isn’t an uncommon practice in NASCAR. And Joe Gibbs Racing decided to make a bold move, swapping crews between Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell as the latter entered the postseason. However, this decision appears to have backfired. Bell’s pit stop timings have raised concerns due to a noticeable drop in speed during the playoffs.

As Bell gears up for the championship battle in Phoenix, neither he nor his team can afford any more slip-ups. All eyes are on Joe Gibbs Racing to address their pit road woes and provide Bell with the support he needs to win the title.

In a recent conversation, NASCAR insider Steve Letarte and his co-host Todd Gordon delved into Christopher Bell’s performance. Gordon expressed optimism about Bell’s qualifying prowess, suggesting that securing pole position could provide a significant advantage. He said, “He [Bell] and Adam Stevens have done a really good job qualifying. I think they could be at a huge advantage to having pit stall one.”

Steve Letarte inquired if he had any concerns about Bell’s chances. Gordon noted, “I think the pit crew consistency, it’s been a challenge for this program, and they swapped pit crews when they got to the playoffs, and this crew hasn’t really done anything better than the crew before.”

Letarte put Joe Gibbs Racing on the spot, stating, “Listen, I’m just going to put it on Joe Gibbs Racing as a whole. I’m sorry, Truex wasn’t good, they made changes, they weren’t good again. They’ve swapped from the 54 to the 20. The personnel moves all around. I’m just saying the pit department is the weakest part of Joe Gibbs Racing.“

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Christopher Bell certainly needs all the team game he can muster. Because he will be up against one of the best in business at Phoenix — Kyle Larson. And these two recently opened up about racing each other.

Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell share their thoughts on racing each other in the Cup Series

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The NASCAR season finale at Phoenix promises a scintillating showdown, with two fierce competitors and old rivals, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, vying for the coveted championship title. While both drivers have battled intensely on the track, their respect for each other is evident.

During a recent press interaction, Christopher Bell was asked about his feelings about competing against Kyle Larson in the championship finale. Their rivalry extends across various racing series, and the prospect of facing off in NASCAR’s pinnacle event carries particular significance. Bell expressed his sentiments, saying, “I am glad that it’s him, and I am glad that we are both being able to show up at the highest level of the sport. But I know he’s one of the best. So he’s going to be the guy that I compete with, hopefully for a long time.”

A while before Bell’s interview, Kyle Larson was also asked about the significance of their shared background in Chili Bowl battles and midget racing, and whether it would play a role on a bigger stage. Larson shared his perspective saying, “I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know how fans view it. I really enjoy getting to race a guy in the Cup Series that, when we were starting out racing with each other, neither of us were in the Cup Series.”

The Hendrick Motorsports star added, “But then, too, I mean, he kicked my a** for a few years straight, like every race. I don’t know if I ever beat him. Yeah, he made me work really hard to get better as a driver, especially on the dirt track stuff. Yeah, we’ve had our run-ins along the way, just tight racing for wins and stuff.”

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While Christopher Bell will watch out for his rivals this Sunday, he will also keep an eye on his own pit stall. Joe Gibbs Racing faces the challenge of rectifying their pit road troubles ahead of the championship-deciding race in Phoenix. With the title within touching distance, Christopher Bell and his team can ill afford any pit stop miscues.