Christopher Bell issues update on injury recovery | Sports News

Christopher Bell is set to take a main step in his recovery at Chicagoland Speedway after the Joe Gibbs Racing driver fractured his wrist in a single of the worst crashes within the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Upon affect, Bell’s left hand slammed into the underside of the steering wheel and fractured. Though the collision was so forceful that it broken the metal barrier, the 31-year-old managed to exit the totaled car underneath his own energy.

Following the health setback, Bell was medically cleared to compete within the ensuing three races, so long as he donned a solid on his wrist. The Norman, Oklahoma native insisted that the injury has hardly impacted his potential behind the wheel, telling reporters: “I mean, the pain level has been low ever since the beginning but I would say my ability to drive the car is the same as what it has been.

“I just keep using the word clunky. I just can’t be quick and precise with the wheel.”

For Sunday’s Eero 400 in Chicago, Bell revealed that he might be ditching his solid for a splint. “I had a cast in my car, and now the splint, but my mobility is the same,” Bell added. “So hopefully I can regain movement of my left wrist here shortly and get back to normal.”

Bell intends to train warning, nevertheless, subsequent week when NASCAR travels to Atlanta Motor Speedway, the place crashes are more susceptible to happen given the high-speed nature of the monitor. “I think we’re going to take a step backwards and go back to a cast for Atlanta just with the nature of the beast there and make sure that I have the maximum protection that I can have,” he mentioned.

As for what lies forward, Bell expressed hope that he’ll have the ability to race with out a protecting protecting on his wrist in two or three weeks at North Wilkesboro Speedway or Indianapolis Motor Speedway, respectively.

The fractured wrist has nonetheless finished little to gradual down Bell, who managed to secure a fifth-place end during final weekend’s Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. “I’m super proud of it and my team for persevering,” he mentioned.

“Obviously, this has been a trying time with us and it was depressing after Michigan and then Pocono and San Diego, seeing those points slip away and us get closer to the [Chase for the Championship] cut line.

“So, it was rewarding to get a lot of points and have a great solid finish and we’re looking forward to what’s next and there’s no reason that we can’t have another great points day here in Chicago.”