Earlier this week, a significant development took place in the world of NASCAR. Joe Gibbs Racing removed the constraints that had previously prevented their NASCAR Cup Series drivers from engaging in dirt racing. This news has sent ripples of excitement through the racing community, particularly for Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe, both of whom have a rich history in dirt racing with the team.

"NASCAR's Dirt Racing Resurgence: Bell and Larson's Battle Awaits"

Christopher Bell: A Dirt Racing Prodigy

Before ascending to the heights of NASCAR success, Bell honed his skills on dirt tracks with the United States Auto Club (USAC). In 2013, he joined Keith Kunz Motorsports, taking over a seat that was previously held by Kyle Larson, who had moved to the Xfinity Series. Bell quickly made a name for himself in sprint cars, achieving an astonishing feat by winning the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals for three consecutive years, from 2017 to 2019. This remarkable accomplishment placed him in elite company, joining Sammy Swindell and Kevin Swindell as the only three-time winners of the event. However, in 2020, he came close to making it four in a row but was thwarted by Larson. The following year, Bell regained his title, solidifying his status as a dirt racing powerhouse. Despite not competing in dirt since mid-2022, except for two micro sprint races in May, Bell expressed surprise at JGR's decision to lift the restriction. "I was definitely caught off guard by the change of policy," he said through Jeff Gluck of The Athletic. "I was super shocked, but with Chase coming on board and Ty [Gibbs] growing an interest in dirt racing, it's nice we have the majority of our team aligned with it now."

Kyle Larson: The Dirt Racing Rival

Kyle Larson has had his fair share of battles with Christopher Bell on dirt tracks over the years. The two wheelmen have engaged in intense duels, each vying for victory. Larson is looking forward to the opportunity to race Bell again on a dirt track. "Hopefully, I’ll come out on top more often because he beat me all the time for a long time," Larson said Friday through Dustin Long of NBC Sports. Despite Bell's past victories, Larson remains confident and excited about the prospect of facing off against him. He believes that when Bell returns to dirt racing, he will be a force to be reckoned with. "He’s still Christopher Bell and I wouldn’t be surprised whenever his first race is if he goes and wins," Larson added.