Joe Gibbs Racing will have some health concerns while preparing for next weekend's Cup Series race at Pocono. The team will likely have to get Christopher Bell cleared to suit up and compete.
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According to team owner Joe Gibbs, Bell sustained wrist and ankle injuries during a violent crash at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday.
"We're going to continue tonight," Gibbs said during a post-Denny Hamlin win press conference at the 2-mile track. "When he gets home, we're going to make sure that he gets everything he needs to get there, whatever it might be.
"And then we'll just have to kind of wait. It's his wrist and his ankle. We're just going to have to wait."
Contact between @chaseelliott and @CBellRacing brings out the yellow on Lap 148. pic.twitter.com/R4qc5Fv61k
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 7, 2026
The crash occurred on Lap 148 as Bell and Chase Elliott raced for second place behind William Byron. They were side by side when Elliott's No. 9 suddenly wiggled and shot up the track.
It slammed directly into Bell's No. 20 and sent it into the outside SAFER barrier at full speed. Elliott's No. 9 followed as it slammed into Bell's car and then the outside wall.
Elliott's car slid through the pack and hit the inside SAFER barrier. Bell's car burst into flames while riding the outside wall. The car then came to a stop on the apron as the Oklahoma native dropped his window net and climbed out. Elliott also climbed out of his car before walking over to his fellow driver for a chat and a side hug.
"It was totally my fault," Elliott said after exiting the infield care center. "I feel really bad for (Christopher) Bell, just taking him out. I was trying to run the bottom, make use of our fresh tires and at least get to second, I was hoping, and stay side-by-side with him. I just got in there and got free.
"I thought I was going to spin and was kind of committing to spinning out. As soon as I was committed to spinning, it just hooked up and, unfortunately, sent Christopher into the wall really hard and me shortly thereafter. We were just racing really hard. I thought it was a turning point in the race to make something happen, but just stepped over the line and paid for it."
Bell underwent evaluation at the infield care center, and he remained inside for an extended period of time. He ultimately left the care center but declined to meet with media members.
This violent crash brought out the red flag as track crews worked to repair the SAFER barrier. The red flag remained out for 20 minutes and 31 seconds.
