Christopher Bell (Left)-Image Credit- Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Chase Elliott (Right)-Image Credit- Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Christopher Bell (Left)-Image Credit- Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Chase Elliott (Right)-Image Credit- Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Christopher Bell’s race at Michigan last weekend took a horrific turn after he was involved in a crash with Chase Elliott. However, amidst the chaos of the crash, a small gesture from Elliott stood out.
On lap 148, during the battle for the runner-up position, both drivers ended up crashing out, but it was Bell who bore the brunt of the impact. He hit the SAFER barrier and bent it inwards. However, as the Joe Gibbs Racing driver stepped out of his car, Elliott made his way to him to apologize.
On Saturday, during his media availability at Pocono, Christopher Bell was questioned by NASCAR.com about his interaction with Chase Elliott after getting out of the car.
"I can't speak highly enough of Chase as well," he said (via Cup Scene on YouTube). "Like, the moment that he saw me out of the car, he was visibly shaken up and concerned about me. I appreciate so much his demeanor and his thoughts of me, and he’s reached out several times throughout the week to make sure I’m okay. I obviously asked him if he was okay too; he had a big hit as well."
May 3, 2026, Austin, Texas, U.S: Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott 9 in action during the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Wurth 400 Cup Race at the Texas Motor Speedway track in Fort Worth, Texas. Austin U.S - ZUMAw300 20260503_zaf_w300_085 Copyright: xDanxWozniakx
May 3, 2026, Austin, Texas, U.S: Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott 9 in action during the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Wurth 400 Cup Race at the Texas Motor Speedway track in Fort Worth, Texas. Austin U.S - ZUMAw300 20260503_zaf_w300_085 Copyright: xDanxWozniakx
The incident could have easily become a huge blame game. However, right from the time of the incident, Elliott has taken accountability for causing the accident.
Chase Elliott Opens Up About Talking to Christopher Bell After the Crash
Chase Elliott did not only just check up on Bell after they got out of the car. In fact, the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports driver messaged his peer throughout the week to check up on his recovery.
While talking to "The Athletic," Chase Elliott spoke about how Christopher Bell has shown a lot of respect towards him despite the crash.
"He kept me posted on how he was feeling, and he even told me, 'Hey man, look, that's racing', and showed a lot of mutual respect towards me, even though it was my fault, and I appreciated that," said Elliott.
The crash experienced by Bell at Michigan was one of the hardest-recorded crashes in the Next Gen era and was recorded at 63 Gs.
Through the incident, both drivers displayed immense maturity instead of getting into a fight, which can happen in moments of frustration.
Though Bell heads into Pocono with a wrist fracture, he is expecting to complete the entire 400-mile race.
Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco
Edited by
Yash Kotak