Christopher Bell Urges NASCAR to Rethink After Superspeedway Concerns

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Christopher Bell Urges NASCAR to Rethink After Superspeedway Concerns

Originally posted on RFKRacingDigest
By Sabyasachi Biswas | Last updated May 3, 2026 12:59 PM ET

Christopher Bell called NASCAR’s superspeedway racing a “complete joke” after a fuel-saving stalemate at Talladega. Superspeedways are supposed to be the star of the sport with pack racing, last-lap drama, and the constant fear of the ‘Big Ones’. But the recent changes in the layout have made the fans unhappy.

Although the racing looks intense from the fans’ point of view, the drivers aren’t buying out, as Christopher Bell came out to share his thoughts.

“So it becomes all about shortening the last pit stop to as short as you can get it, Bell told the media. “Which means you’re still saving fuel on stage two even though you can make it to the end. You know, after that last pit stop and… it’s a joke, it’s a complete joke, and I look forward to changes.”

Bell isn’t the only driver to share the concern, as the majority of the drivers feel the same across the garage. Although the talk about changes in the layout has been there for a long time, it became blatant from the 2022 Cup Series season, along with the introduction of Next Gen Cars.

Christopher Bell with a passionate plea for immediate change in the drafting-track superspeedway package. Bell: "It's atrocious. … It's a complete joke. … It comes down to just a suicide mission of who is going to push the hardest and not get wrecked." @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/OtXU24SULq
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 2, 2026

The Generation 7 cars are harder to drive and have more aerodynamic drag than their predecessor. As a result, the draft racing has reduced to what it was supposed to be, and now it has become a type of pack racing where drivers get together to race in packs to save fuel.

As a consequence, NASCAR reframed the stage format, essentially flipping it. They put in 98-45-45 laps to eliminate the fuel-saving strategy and make the racing exciting. However, the Talladega race was an example to show that it didn’t work.

Christopher Bell calls for change after Talladega race

Sharing his concern about the Superspeedway package, Christopher Bell let his feelings be known and revealed that there is indeed a need for change.

“We desperately need change,” Bell told the media. “We’ve needed change for a long time, so hopefully, that is the last time we race that speedway package, and I think a lot of us in the industry will be very excited about that.”

Christopher Bell experienced a race to forget at Talladega this time around. Having started the race from 14th place, he came home in 17th. Carson Hocevar of Spire Motorsports won the race, ahead of Chris Buescher of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.