​Christopher Bell says he’s closing in on another major milestone in his recovery from a wrist injury that has forced him to race with extra protection in recent weeks. Speaking to reporters Saturday at EchoPark Speedway ahead of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver offered an upbeat update, revealing that he’s no longer wearing anything on the palm of his hand and believes he’s “really, really close” to full strength.
A reporter noted that Bell no longer had anything visible on his wrist and asked how the recovery was progressing. Bell explained that, although he still wears a wrap, the condition of his wrist has improved significantly. “Yeah, I’m gaining on it. I do have a wrap around my wrist. But nothing on the palm of my hands, so that’s awesome. I’m really, really close for sure,” he said.
Bell also indicated he’s optimistic that next week’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway could represent another important step in his return. “I’m optimistic that Wilkesboro next week will be close, if not 100% right there at it, you know.”
Despite the encouraging progress, Bell said he’ll continue to take precautions during Sunday’s race at EchoPark Speedway. “I’m still planning on putting a cast on for tomorrow for the race, just, you know, in case something happens. So I’ll be in a cast tomorrow and then hopefully either this wrap or nothing at Wilkesboro.”
This latest update marks Bell’s most hopeful assessment of his recovery since injuring his wrist. If his timeline holds, Sunday’s race could be the last time fans see him wearing a cast before returning to lighter protection, or possibly none at all, for next weekend’s races at North Wilkesboro.
Bell enters Sunday’s Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway looking to rebound from a disappointing 21st-place finish there earlier in the season, though that result doesn’t tell the full story. Prior to that race, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver won the season-opening event at the 1.54-mile drafting track in February 2025, holding off Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson to secure one of his biggest wins of the year. Since joining Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021, Bell has tallied four top-10 finishes at EchoPark Speedway, including a third-place run in spring 2023 and a fourth-place finish in the 2024 playoff race. He has also led laps in five of his last six starts at the track, underscoring his ability to stay near the front on the high-speed oval.
Bell faces a tall task Sunday after qualifying 32nd for the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart, but his track record at EchoPark Speedway suggests he can move forward if he avoids trouble in the draft. With the potential for late-race drama on the high-speed oval, Bell’s experience and recent progress on his wrist recovery could play a crucial role in where he finishes Sunday and how safely he can navigate the race without overprotective gear. As he nears what he believes to be full strength, fans and team members alike will be watching closely to see if the next steps in his comeback come sooner than expected and set him up for a strong run at Wilkesboro next week.