Christopher Bell Snubs His Coca-Cola 600 Chances With 6 Honest Words on His New Spotter

Just a week ago, Christopher Bell stood atop the NASCAR world. He had just claimed his first NASCAR All-Star Race win at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway. It wasn’t just another trophy on the shelf. It was a $1 million payday, and it came after a fierce, strategic battle that showcased Bell’s calm and killer instincts. The race featured a wild “Promoter’s Caution,” but Bell made the most of it. He pitted for two fresh tires, chased down Joey Logano, and passed him clean with less than ten laps to go. “That right there is absolutely incredible. North Wilkesboro, best short track on the schedule,” Bell said afterward.

It was a win that had the NASCAR world buzzing. This All-Star victory marked a key milestone in Bell’s Cup Series career. It was his fourth win of the 2025 season after a string of underperformance following his early three-race win streak. More importantly, it solidified his standing as a true title contender. With an average finish of 11.2, Bell has been one of the sharpest drivers on the track. For Joe Gibbs Racing, he’s become a dependable force behind the wheel of the No. 20 Toyota. With the Coca-Cola 600 up next, where Bell was the defending winner, all signs pointed to another strong run. But NASCAR, like life, moves fast. And fortunes can flip just as quickly.

Days after celebrating his biggest win of the year, Bell is facing a new challenge, one that could derail his defense of the Coca-Cola 600. Just before the longest race of the season, Bell lost something crucial: trust in the voice guiding him from above. With six simple but honest words, Bell snubbed his own chances before even taking the green flag.

Christopher Bell fights a double battle in Charlotte!

Just days after his All-Star win, Christopher Bell’s longtime spotter Stevie Reeves left the team. No warning, press release, or real explanation. Reeves, who had been with Bell since his Cup debut in 2020, suddenly stepped away. “It was all Stevie’s decision. He made the decision on his own to quit, and that’s all I’m going to say,” Bell said at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Into the void steps Matt Philpott. He’s not a household name in the spotting world. Philpott has worked part-time in Trucks and Xfinity and has briefly stood in for Martin Truex Jr. at Daytona. But now, he’s Bell’s eyes at NASCAR’s longest race.

Bell was candid when asked about the transition. “I obviously haven’t driven for Matt… He doesn’t have a ton of spotting experience,” he said. That’s not exactly a confidence booster going into one of the most grueling races on the schedule. The two spent Saturday during the Xfinity race together, Bell on the roof, listening to Philpott’s calls. It was a test run, a crash course in communication. “We ran through a couple of different items where I wanted something a little different, and the team wanted something a little different as well. So I thought the iRacing experiment was really helpful. Hopefully, we get a little closer through the Xfinity race, but I’m sure it’ll be a period of time through many races before we’re fully in sync,” he added.

Christopher Bell spotter Stevie Reeves is no longer spotting for him (he has left all of his national series spotting jobs). Bell has Matt Philpott (a JGR mechanic who has been spotting in Xfinity/trucks) as his spotter. Bell on their prep for Charlotte: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/GRuR96cgxF

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 25, 2025

The iRacing session gave Bell some insights. They worked through different call-outs. Bell wanted certain things. The team wanted others. Bell made it clear, this isn’t an ideal setup. “Nothing against Philpott, but he wouldn’t have been high on the list with his experience level if we weren’t in this situation.” Still, he added, “He’s doing us a favor. We are not doing him a favor.” Despite this new challenge, Bell’s 2025 season has been electric. With three wins already, at Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix, he’s third in the points standings.

Christopher Bell is still young, but he’s driving like a veteran. In 2024, Bell had a breakout campaign. He finished 5th overall with 3 wins, 15 top-5s, and 23 top-10s. He led over 1,100 laps. His growth was obvious. He was more aggressive when needed, more composed in tight battles, and a better closer. Despite the unfortunate end to the 2024 season at Martinsville marred with race manipulation penalties, Bell has only built on his successful foundation in 2025. He’s proving he can run up front at any track. That’s why this spotter change stings.

The Cup Series is built on small margins. Races are won or lost by inches. A slow call from the spotter or a missed move on a restart can cost a win. Bell knows that. So do fans. For a guy defending his Coca-Cola 600 title, a change in rhythm could be the difference between champagne and a long, frustrating night at Charlotte. Even with all this swirling, Bell has kept a steady demeanor. And he’s leaned on his teammates to help adjust. One teammate in particular has his full respect, Denny Hamlin. Bell didn’t shy away from crediting Hamlin’s influence as he navigates this latest test.

Bell praises Denny Hamlin’s racing skills

Christopher Bell isn’t shy about who he watches closely in the garage. When asked about mentorship inside Joe Gibbs Racing, Bell quickly pointed to Denny Hamlin. “Denny is just very unique in his driving style. I’ve been around a lot of race car drivers throughout my career, but whenever you look at the data on how they drive the car, it is hard to pick out who is who, except for Denny,” Bell said.

Bell didn’t just stop at praise. He detailed why Hamlin stands out. “The way his throttle application, his decels through the corner—it is very unique and very identifiable,” Bell said it helps him and others at JGR improve, especially at short tracks. He recalled a past Martinsville test where Hamlin was lights out. “Even before me, he has helped out certain guys in the company to become better at race tracks,” Bell said. It wasn’t about ego, just pure admiration for the craft.

Whether it’s at Richmond, Martinsville, or anywhere tight and technical, Bell views Hamlin’s command as something to learn from. “A lot of it is his driving style,” he said. In a season full of unknowns, Bell is still learning. And watching Hamlin’s control behind the wheel gives him a model to follow, even if the voice in his headset now is someone entirely new.

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