Christopher Bell’s Crew Chief Adam Stevens Out Due to Injury
NASCAR Cup Series driver Christopher Bell faces a significant challenge as the 2024 playoffs approach, with his crew chief, Adam Stevens, sidelined due to a recent injury. In a statement released on Monday, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) confirmed that Stevens, who has been the crew chief for Bell’s No. 20 Toyota Camry since the 2021 season, is recovering from surgery to repair double knee injuries sustained during a family vacation.
Stevens underwent successful surgery to address the injuries and is expected to be out of the track for a few weeks. During this period, he will work remotely from JGR’s headquarters, overseeing the team’s operations from what has been termed the “war room.” Car chief Chris Sherwood will step in to handle the on-track crew chief responsibilities, starting with this weekend’s race at Richmond Raceway.
“I hate that I won’t be at the track for a few weeks, but I will be fully engaged remotely,” Stevens said in the statement. “I am very thankful for the depth and strength of this No. 20 team and don’t anticipate my physical absence having any effect on our performance. The surgery went well, and I will be back at the track in a few weeks.”
This development comes at a crucial time for Bell, who has had a standout season so far. The driver has secured three victories, including wins at Phoenix, Charlotte, and New Hampshire, and is currently positioned eighth in the series standings. Bell and Stevens have enjoyed significant success together, with nine race wins and 11 poles, and Bell advancing to the Championship 4 in the last two seasons. His best finish in the series was third place in 2022.
Bell’s performance at Richmond Raceway has been notably consistent. He has achieved top-five finishes and six top-10 finishes in eight career starts at the Virginia short track. In the spring race, Bell overcame a speeding penalty to secure a sixth-place finish. He has finished sixth or better in six of the past seven races at Richmond.
With a new challenge ahead due to the injury, Bell commented on the upcoming race, “Richmond is going to be a little bit different this time around with the option tire being introduced to points racing. Nobody is quite sure how it’s going to go, but I’m sure we will learn a lot in our practice session on Saturday.”
As the playoffs draw closer, the absence of Stevens could impact the team’s dynamics, but the strength and depth of the No. 20 team, along with Sherwood’s experience, will be crucial in navigating this period. The NASCAR community will be watching closely to see how Bell and his team adapt to these changes and continue their pursuit of championship success.
