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Christopher Bell has partnered with Texas Motor Speedway.
Rivalries have always shaped NASCAR. They grow when the same drivers race each other every week, fight for the same wins, and chase the duplicate titles. In today’s NASCAR Cup Series, that pressure is constant. Few rivalries show this better than the one between Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson.
Their competition comes from years of racing closely, making aggressive moves, and dealing with the results. Bell recently explained how those moments shape rivalries and why they are unavoidable at the top level. He also comments on how NASCAR’s Chase format could sharpen those battles and define the sport’s future.
Christopher Bell explains how rivalries form in the Cup Series
Christopher Bell says rivalries are a regular part of racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. With the same drivers competing every weekend, emotions can run high when incidents occur on track. When asked directly about Larson, Bell did not avoid the subject.
“From my standpoint, I’ve definitely gotten angry with him a couple of times. We’ve had a few run-ins where I felt like he did me wrong, and that frustrated me. But that’s come and gone. I think we’re on pretty good terms now.”
Bell made it clear that frustration does not mean lasting tension. The moments happened during races, and time helped smooth things over. Still, Bell noted that being on good terms does not remove the competitive edge. When the helmet goes on, both drivers race to win.
Their rivalry reflects how NASCAR works at the highest level. Drivers push limits. Mistakes happen. Reactions follow. Over time, respect and competition coexist.
Competition stays sharp when Bell and Larson race each other
Even with a solid relationship, Bell said the intensity remains when he and Larson race head-to-head. Both drivers expect to fight for wins, stage points, and playoff positions. That shared level keeps their battles close and physical.
Bell believes the return to NASCAR’s Chase format could increase those moments. The format places more value on consistent performance against the same top competitors. According to Bell, that structure forces the strongest teams to face each other again and again.
“I think you’ll see more of the same guys continually fighting for the championship, which is the way it should be. Every sport has their has their best guys, and has the guys that aren’t as good.”
Bell explained that recent formats created swings that did not always reflect season-long performance. He said results often flipped, even when teams ran well all year.
“And with the way our format was, over the last 10 years or so, we haven’t been able to elevate drivers, and the crew has. It rises to the top of a certain extent, but then it just gets flopped around.”
How the Chase format could shape NASCAR’s future
Christopher Bell believes the Chase format could restore balance by rewarding sustained excellence. He expects the strongest teams to stay near the top more often, rather than rotating through positions late in the season.
He sees the change as a chance for NASCAR to identify its best drivers and teams clearly. Bell said the new structure should allow performance to decide results more consistently.
“And now we’re going to really be able to see the cream rise to the top and consistently be at the top, and hopefully generate the next level of superstars.”
For Christopher Bell, rivalries like the one with Larson fit naturally into that vision. Strong formats create intense competition. Strong competition creates rivalries. As NASCAR moves forward, those battles could help define the next era of the Cup Series.
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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