Christopher Bell is keen on avoiding a ‘deja vu’ in the 2023 Cup playoffs

Christopher Bell had a very successful 2022 season, finishing 3rd in the standings.

Christopher Bell is keen on avoiding a ‘deja vu’ in the 2023 Cup playoffs

Christopher Bell (Via IMAGO)

Christopher Bell‘s journey to the 2022 NASCAR Cup championship four race was remarkable as he went deep into the post-season with three clutch wins. However, as the No. 20 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver gears up for the 2023 playoffs season, he quickly points out that relying on his 2022 playbook is far from dependable.

In 2022, Bell’s NASCAR journey was a rollercoaster. It began with a 34th-place finish at the Daytona 500 and an unfortunate pit-stop incident in Atlanta. Despite a second-place finish in Atlanta, a penalty for passing below the racing line dropped him to 23rd. However, he bounced back with a victory in New Hampshire, becoming the 14th different winner of the season. 

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The real drama unfolded during the playoffs, where he clinched must-win victories at the Charlotte Roval and Martinsville to secure a spot in the Championship 4 and ended up with a career-best 3rd spot in the standings. Bell acknowledges the unpredictability of his 2022 playoff run, and though successful, he doesn’t want a repeat of that. Speaking Thursday’s Playoff Media Day in downtown Charlotte, Bell said, “That’s not a reliable playbook for sure.” 

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He emphasized the need to avoid “did not finish” (DNF) situations, recognizing that “was kind of the downfall of our playoffs.” While the dramatic victories at Charlotte and Martinsville were memorable, Bell understands that relying on such high-pressure performances is not a sustainable strategy. He acknowledges that “You’ve got to get through. Even if you don’t have a great car, be able to maximize your points and that was something we didn’t do last year.”

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Christopher Bell claims that switching crew with Ty Gibbs’ doesn’t change anything

Christopher Bell (Credits )
Christopher Bell (Credits: @CBellRacing/Twitter)

In the 2023 season, Christopher Bell has demonstrated his potential with a strong start. He secured a notable third-place finish at the Daytona 500, showcasing his competitive edge. Adding to his achievements, Bell triumphed at the Bristol dirt race, marking his first win of the season. The team strategically moved to swap pit crews with teammate Ty Gibbs, aiming to enhance consistency.

Bell expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the new pit crew and extended well wishes to the former No. 20 group. He added, “From my standpoint, it doesn’t change, but from their standpoint, going from Ty to myself is going to be a slight adjustment.” The No. 20 driver acknowledged that they have the best people in the business among all the JGR pit crews and believed they would be capable of making the required adjustments.

Bell initially found finishing fourth in the regular season standings acceptable, but the experience unveiled missed chances, leading to disappointment and optimism. He’s confident their talented team can prevent being underrated by capitalizing on their potential. Bell casually dismissed concerns about feeling underrated. As he starts the 2023 playoff season, his primary objectives are consistency, steering clear of DNFs, and making the most of every opportunity, acknowledging that past success doesn’t guarantee future results.

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