Christopher Bell Exposes “Fear Factor” with NASCAR Sims

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Christopher Bell shared his thoughts on the issue with too much practice in the simulators.

Christopher Bell Exposes “Fear Factor” with NASCAR Sims

Christopher Bell (Via @CBellRacing/X)

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Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell is one of the most talented drivers in the NASCAR garage and is the racer set to lead Toyota in the future once Denny Hamlin retires. He is known improving performances as well as results as a racer every year. One of the major reasons for his elite stock car racing division is the hard work he is doing behind the scenes, including simulator practice.

In a recent video shared on Joe Gibbs Racing’s YouTube channel, Christopher Bell was seen talking about the fear factor associated with practicing in the sims. He highlighted that the biggest advantage with sims, no real-life consequences in practice, is also the biggest issue with it.

So, one thing that the drivers love to talk about is the fear factor. So, you come in here, and oftentimes you can run faster laps in the simulator than you can in real life just because you’re not going to wreck the car.

Christopher Bell said via JGR YouTube channel.

Further talking about the point, he highlighted how the drivers often push much harder that they will ever do in real life in the sims, as they can easily hit the reset button if there was a crash. Racers take the most risks in the tight corners of road course during sim session according to the No:20 Toyota Camry driver.

If you do wreck, you tell him he’s going to hit the reset button, and so you’re willing to push it a little bit harder than you would in real life…Specifically, like the road courses, [the] Chicago Street Course is the one that comes to mind. It’s a super super tight track with walls on both sides. There’s no room for error.

Christopher Bell added.

When the same driver finds themselves in situation to apply the risky moves they practice in the sims, most backs out due to fear of wrecks. He warned the races about it and asserted that they should always race realistically in the sims.

And you go in the simulator, and you’re just like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna hammer out a lap, and if I hit the wall, no big deal.’ And then you go to real life, and you have to like back it up a little bit. So, yeah, you have to make sure that you, as the driver, drive it realistically.

Christopher Bell asserted.

Christopher Bell gives his verdict on Daytona 500 vs Chilly Bowl debate

The JGR veteran is one of the most talented dirt racers in NASCAR, with back-to-back three wins at Chilly Bowl being the biggest achievement in his resume. One of the discussions he often found himself in the middle of is the Daytona 500 vs Bowl debate. He asserted that though the stock car event is the biggest event, the dirt racing event is a great show with a more diverse grid.

Christopher Bell
Christopher Bell (Via @LVMotorSpeedway/X)

The Daytona 500 is the biggest race of the NASCAR schedule. But it’s only the NASCAR guys. Whereas anybody can enter the Chili Bowl. So, it’s kind of a barometer for drivers where everybody is there. You get a lot of top drivers from different disciplines and people who don’t compete against each other all the time. It’s a great show.

Christopher Bell said.

The comments from the veteran racer seems rational and on point, regarding which race is the most significant. The legacy factor gives the NASCAR event the edge, but at the same time the racing community has huge respect for the dirt racing show.

Also Read: Christopher Bell Confesses 2026 Chili Bowl Is His Most Stressful Ever