Christopher Bell Confesses 2026 Chili Bowl Is His Most Stressful Ever

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Christopher Bell is one of the best dirt racers in the NASCAR garage, and the best years of non-stock car racing career came before he became a Cup regular with the Toyota team. His most successful stint came in the iconic Chilly Bowl nationals, which he won thrice back-to-back from 2017-2019 with Keith Kunz Motorsports.

The 2026 edition of the iconic event is set to start on January 12 and for Christopher Bell it’s going pretty special. He is set to make his debut as an owner driver, calling all the shorts behind the scenes and talking about it, he admitted that it’s going to be the most stressful event of his Chilly Bowl career.

It’s gonna be more stressful than just driving. Whenever you show up to drive for Keith, you know the car is going to be good. He has such a historic career there that you the car is gonna be good. You just gotta do your part driving.

Christopher Bell told FloRacing.

Further talking about the point, the veteran racer pointed out that he admitted that unlike in the past, where he just had to drive the best car to the victory lane, he has a lot of responsibilities on his shoulder. He not only has to be the best driver on the day, but the best crew chief as well as the best team owner on the day. The fact that he is already a three-time winner makes him okay about not winning the race under the new circumstances.

So, for me, going down there for the first time with my own equipment, I gotta drive good. On top of that, the car has to handle well. The wheels can’t fall off. All that stuff gives you more stress. But, you know, I am at a point in my career where if I go out there and never win another Chili Bowl, I am satisfied. I am just going there for fun.

Chritopher Bell added.

Winning Chilly Bowl was Christopher Bell’s childhood dream

In the same conversation, the veteran admitted that regardless he wanted to win the race again, as growing up in Oklahoma it was race he really wanted to win. He always cherished the experience of seeing his childhood hero’s race at the event.

Obviously, I hope to win more. It’s the granddaddy of them all for me. I grew up in Oklahoma, and going to that event and seeing all the superstars who raced there—it was always the big one.

Christopher Bell said.

Furthermore, he admitted that he never though he would be racing in all the divisions of the iconic event and securing multiple race wins. The Chilly Bowl experience made him the champion driver he is at the moment.

As a kid, I just dreamed of competing in the event and never thought I’d reach the level of winning it. Now it’s just special, and it’s a huge part of why I am where I am today.

Christopher Bell added.

The comments from the Joe Gibbs Racing driver seems rational and on point, as being an owner driver is one of the most stressful places a driver can be. It would be interesting to see how the new chapter of his racing career is going to playout for the veteran next week.

Also Read: Kenny Wallace Declares “NASCAR is in Repair Mode” After Massive Mess-ups Over the Years

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