Christopher Bell, driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, has been officially fined $300,000 and suspended for two races following allegations of cheating during the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race. The sanctioning body determined that Bell’s team made unauthorized modifications to the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE, violating NASCAR’s stringent technical regulations.
The controversy began when Bell’s car was found to have an illegal throttle body after qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Despite being poised to start 13th, Bell was relegated to the rear of the field due to the infraction. This decision was particularly impactful as Bell had been on a remarkable three-race winning streak, including victories at Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix, and was aiming to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2007 to secure four consecutive Cup Series wins.
In response to the allegations, Joe Gibbs Racing owner Joe Gibbs defended Bell and the team’s integrity, labeling the cheating claims as “unsubstantiated and premature.” Gibbs emphasized that the team adheres to NASCAR’s rules and is prepared to cooperate with any official investigation.
This incident adds to a series of controversies in the 2025 NASCAR season, raising questions about the consistency and fairness of enforcement policies. Earlier in the season, Bell had criticized NASCAR for penalizing him after he was forced into a wall-ride maneuver at Martinsville, a move he argued was necessitated by race manipulation involving other drivers.
The hefty fine and suspension serve as a stern reminder of NASCAR’s commitment to maintaining the sport’s integrity. As the season progresses, teams and drivers alike will be closely scrutinized, with the governing body signaling that any violations will be met with significant consequences.
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