Christopher Bell discovers the most dangerous seat at Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 25: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, (R) speaks to NASCAR Hall of Famer and co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, Jimmie Johnson during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

There are inherent hazards in racing non-wing USAC sprint cars, as Christopher Bell well knows.

On Thursday night, he discovered that serving as a sprint car racing analyst can also have its perils.

Bell was on a lift over the Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, broadcasting the USAC National Sprint Car invitational at the 0.25-mile oval with FloSports, when a flying rock kicked up by one of the cars hit him in the elbow.

“I got smoked,” Bell said. “It really hurt.”

Fortunately, the flying rock did no permanent damage. In recent weeks the full-time driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota has been recovering from a broken left wrist he suffered in a brutal crash at Michigan Speedway.

So, was it the left elbow that was hit by the rock?

“Of course,” Bell said.