Christopher Bell Is Under “Way More Pressure” in 2026 With the New Championship Format

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season so far has been a mixed experience for Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Christopher Bell. He is the only driver in the top-6 not to win single race this season and so far, has hedged his bets on being consistent. But that might not be enough for him to end the season as the champion with the 10-race chase starting this Sunday.

Talking about his title aspirations, the No:20 Toyota Camry driver pointed out that he can win the 2026 championship only if he can end his one-year winless streak sooner than later. He has fined P2 a shocking seven times this season and needs to find the clutch form gear. The veteran also admitted that the new championship format, which replaced playoffs, is adding extra pressure on him.

Can we do this? Can we win a championship? Yes. Without winning, right? Can we win a championship without winning a race? No. That’s my answer. I don’t believe so… 100% (this one). Absolutely. Yeah, I think this format is going to be way more pressure.

Christopher Bell said about the 2026 season.

Further talking about the point, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran pointed out that he is feeling extremely good about the team’s chance of winning a race and being a championship front runner towards the end of the season. Christopher Bell knows his experience JGR crew is capable of miracles.

I don’t know. I feel really good about where we’re at. I’m not gonna sit here and tell you that we’re gonna be the champion in 10 weeks, but I think that we’re certainly capable of it.

Christopher Bell added via motorsport.com.

Later in the same conversation, the racer asserted that he is 100% confident that one of the top 6 drivers are going to win the title and it is most probably going to be a Toyota. His teammates Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, Chase Briscoe and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick are the TRD drivers in the top 6, with Ryan Blaney being the only non-Toyota driver.

I do believe that the champion will be a Toyota. And, I think the champion will come from the top six seeds. I am pretty confident in those statements. So, we’ll see if they turn out right or wrong. I am confident in those statements.

Christopher Bell asserted.

Christopher Bell explains what he needs to do to win the championship

In the same conversation, the racer also talked what he needs to do to win the championship. He asserted that his best shots at wins will be the first seven races, as the final three events are at venues where he ahs historically been average. So, he wants to be leading the chase by the Talladega race week.

I’ve been kind of making a small joke that if I am going to be the champion, then I better have a points gap on the field going into Talladega, the final three. So, yeah, certainly our strength is the beginning of it. The first seven are all really good tracks for me. So, I think my best hope is that I have a points gap going into the final three.

Christopher Bell said.

Winning against the trio of Hamlin, Blaney and Gibbs won’t be easy for Bell, considering the three has race winning momentum on their side compared to the No:20 team. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout in the coming days.

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