Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell is considered a perennial NASCAR Cup Series championship contender – finishing fifth or better in the title chase five of the last six seasons. He’s earned 13 wins and claimed top-10 finishes in nearly half of his starts – 113 top-10s in 230 races.
However, the lone race track the 31-year-old Oklahoman hasn’t earned a NASCAR Cup Series top-10? Michigan International Speedway.
The driver of the No. 20 JGR Toyota has a best finish of 13th at Michigan – twice, including 2023 when he started from pole position. He’s led only 37 laps in seven starts and crashed out in two of the last four races there.
But. … he finished sixth in Saturday’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Michigan, sweeping both stages and leading 37 laps. And he’s very optimistic about improving his NASCAR Cup Series fortunes at the big track.
“Michigan, on paper, that’s my worst track, but I’m always super-fast and competitive there,” Bell said smiling at the irony. “I’m very much looking forward to going there. I’m sad we’re only going there once a year, but I’m looking forward to trying to get a good result there. It’s a fun race track. I have a lot of fun racing there.”
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