Drought Over: Christopher Bell Ends Joe Gibbs Racing's 8-Month Winless Streak

Drought Over: Christopher Bell Ends Joe Gibbs Racing's 8-Month Winless Streak

By Michael Harrison

February 27, 2025 at 12:03 AM

Christopher Bell's victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway ended Joe Gibbs Racing's eight-month winless streak, validating the organization's recent strategic changes.

Bell, who last won for JGR at New Hampshire in June, secured his ninth win in the Next Gen era on Sunday night, surpassing teammate Denny Hamlin for most wins among active JGR drivers.

NASCAR driver celebrating with trophy

NASCAR driver celebrating with trophy

The win follows significant organizational changes at JGR, including:

  • Denny Hamlin paired with crew chief Chris Gayle
  • Ty Gibbs partnered with Tyler Allen from the Xfinity Series
  • Chris Gabehart promoted to competition director, overseeing all four teams

"We needed to re-organize and do things differently," Joe Gibbs explained, addressing their 2023 performance where the team led many laps but struggled to convert them into victories. The team won only six races last season between two of their four drivers.

Bell finished fifth in the 2023 championship standings, narrowly missing the Championship 4 after a controversial finish at Martinsville Speedway.

Crew chief Adam Stevens emphasized that the team maintained competitive performance during the winless period, with opportunities lost to various circumstances. He expressed confidence in the recent organizational changes, noting improved qualifying results and competitive cars early in the 2024 season.

"I feel like the changes made in the offseason are nothing but a colossal positive for Joe Gibbs Racing," Stevens said, predicting stronger performance as the season progresses.

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