[autotag]Christopher Bell[/autotag] performed well when it mattered for a second straight year and that alone is enough for a successful 36-race stretch overall. Bell ended the season with two wins, 10 top-5 finishes, and 19 top-10 finishes. Unfortunately for the driver of the No. 20 car, he never had a true opportunity at the championship after losing his brakes at Phoenix Raceway.
Bell won at Bristol Dirt and Homestead-Miami Speedway with the latter being the reason for a second straight berth in the Championship 4. He was consistent all year but never was able to reach his full potential. Bell had three straight top-7 finishes leading into the finale while closing out the year with 599 laps led (sixth best) and a 12.9 average finishing position (fourth best).
CHRISTOPHER BELL WILL RACE FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP. Repost to congratulate the No. 20 team on their WIN at Homestead-Miami Speedway! pic.twitter.com/mlfhx89B2u
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) October 22, 2023
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver did struggle for a 16-race stretch starting at Kansas Speedway. Over those 16 events, Bell only had one top-5 finish and five top-10 finishes. He showed plenty of speed in a majority of those races but was unable to finish them out well due to crashes or mistakes on pit road. Luckily for the No. 20 team, it changed when the 2023 playoffs arrived.
If Bell wants to make the Championship 4 for a third straight season and win the title, he and the No. 20 team will need to limit mistakes overall. Bell has the potential to win more than two races and contend more often; however, it needs to be a team effort. Bell can become a true title threat every year but the mistakes simply need to disappear for that to happen more consistently.
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