During the Cup race on Sunday at the Michigan International Speedway, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott were involved in a horrific crash. At the time, Bell was not made available to talk to the media, but he has now made a statement and will be racing at Pocono this weekend.

On Lap 148 of the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan, Bell was fighting for second place with Elliott driver. But Elliott lost control of his car, went high, and sent Bell into the barriers - a crash at around 200 mph. Both drivers were taken to the infield medical center for a check-up, where they were seen and released.

However, on Tuesday, JGR released a statement that confirmed a left wrist fracture for Christopher Bell while also confirming that he will race at Pocono after he was cleared by NASCAR. Bell took to X to express gratitude and wrote:

“Thank you to each and everyone who reached out to check on me, I truly feel the love. I’m grateful for my team of doctors, JGR, NASCAR and all of the previous drivers who have helped pave the way for the safety standards in our sport. See you in Pocono!”

After the Michigan race, during his media availability, Joe Gibbs gave an update about Bell’s health. He had said that the 23-year-old had wrist and ankle injuries, but couldn't give a concrete update before a proper medical examination.

While the No. 20 driver is cleared to participate in the upcoming race, many have raised questions about who would be the substitute driver for Bell if need be. 

JGR Yet to Reveal Standby Plans as Christopher Bell Gears for Pocono

On Tuesday, the Joe Gibbs Racing team announced that Christopher Bell will be back behind the wheel in his Camry XSE at Pocono Raceway this weekend. However, as standard protocol, the teams usually have a stand-by driver just in case an injured driver behind the wheel cannot finish the race. 

JGR has yet to announce a standby driver. In an X post, NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass highlighted that the potential driver who could get into the No. 20 JGR car if need be. He wrote:

“Christopher Bell, who is cleared to race Pocono, did not have any surgery to his broken left wrist. Also, the team has not announced any plans yet for a standby driver. Ryan Truex has had that role most recently (he subbed for Denny Hamlin last year at Mexico).”

As mentioned by Pockrass, Ryan Truex stepped in for Denny Hamlin last year in Mexico when the three-time Daytona 500 winner was attending to his family after the birth of his son. It is yet to be seen if, in the coming days, JGR announces a stand-by driver for Christopher Bell.

Follow the RFK Racing Digest for more updates!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak