NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell believes that excelling on road courses has become essential for success in the current racing environment. Unlike earlier years when only two road course events were on the NASCAR calendar, the schedule now features five, prompting drivers and teams to prioritize these races more seriously.
Bell is approaching his 20th start of the 2025 season, which will take place at Sonoma Raceway in California. The Toyota/Save Mart 350, featuring 110 laps on the 2.52-mile street circuit, is set for Sunday, July 13, spotlighting the increasing prominence of road course competition.
Reflecting on the rise in road course races, Bell shared,
“I’m good with it… I like it. It’s enough now where the teams and the drivers have to take it seriously. Before, whenever it was only Sonoma and Watkins Glen, you had a lot of teams that didn’t take the road courses seriously and didn’t put a lot of effort into it.” (2:37 onwards)
“But now with so many road courses, you have to be good at them if you want any chance at doing well in the season standings,” he added. (3:24 onwards)
Upcoming Sonoma Race Marks a Career Milestone for Bell
Starting from 10th position alongside Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman in Row 5, Bell prepares for what will be his 200th career start. The Oklahoma native currently holds a strong sixth position in the driver standings with 565 points. Over the course of the season, he has accumulated three wins, seven top-five finishes, and eleven top-10 placements, highlighting his consistent performance.
Fans eager to follow Bell’s progress at Sonoma can watch the event live on TNT Sports starting at 3:30 pm ET or listen in via PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for real-time updates.
Bell’s Return to Dirt Racing at Eldora Speedway Scheduled Between NASCAR Events
Between his race at Sonoma and the following event at Dover Motor Speedway, Christopher Bell will temporarily return to dirt track racing. He is set to compete in the 42nd annual Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, participating on the first two nights of the event, scheduled for July 16-17.
Driving the No. 69k 410 winged sprint car for team owner Don Kreitz, Jr., Bell expressed enthusiasm about being part of this prestigious sprint car competition, saying,
“NASCAR has the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500. Sprint car racing has the Kings Royal and the Knoxville Nationals. Those are always the big events. The Kings Royal is a huge event, and it’s always an honor to be a part of it, even if it’s only for the first two nights.”
The event offers significant prize money, with Bell aiming for $12,000 by winning the Wednesday race and a $100,000 reward for the Thursday night’s competition, all while carrying sponsorship from Interstate Batteries.
Significance of Road Course Skills for Bell’s 2025 Season Prospects
With road course races increasing in number and significance, mastering these circuits is vital for Bell’s aspiration to climb higher in the season standings. His capability in both NASCAR’s traditional oval tracks and more technical road courses potentially positions him as a well-rounded contender.
In addition, Bell’s participation in the prominent Kings Royal sprint car event demonstrates his versatility as a driver and deep connection to dirt racing roots, which may enhance his overall racing skill set. As the 2025 season unfolds, his performances on road courses like Sonoma will be crucial to maintaining momentum and achieving championship goals.