Christopher Bell has expressed his shock at Joe Gibbs Racing's rule change after the NASCAR team moved to replace Martin Truex Jr.

For the first time in a few years, Joe Gibbs Racing drivers like Christopher Bell are going to be able to go dirt racing again. Coach Gibbs has lifted his restriction on the more risky sprint car races for his NASCAR drivers.

This has been one of the hardest things I have had to go through as a race car driver,” Bell said. “I believe cheated is the right word."

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Christopher Bell made it clear Saturday that he believes NASCAR cheated him out of a shot at the Cup Series title when he was punished for reacting to race manipulation in the final playoff qualifying race .

Bell was penalized after the race on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway when NASCAR deemed he committed a safety violation, effectively replicating the now banned Hail Melon made famous by Ross Chastain in 2022, and it resulted in his elimination from the final transfer spot into the Championship Race.

NASCAR driver Christopher Bell has hinted at expanding into dirt racing after Joe Gibbs Racing shifts its policy to allow more flexible participation in Sprint Car and dirt racing events. This policy change opens the door for JGR drivers,

Joe Gibbs is calling an audible. After more than two years, the football-coach-turned-NASCAR-team-owner will largely lift the restrictions that prohibited his Cup Series drivers from extracurricular racing on dirt.

Joe Gibbs Racing drivers will be able to compete in more dirt racing events moving forward. On Monday, The Athletic's Jeff Gluck reported that Joe Gibbs Racing will lift dirt racing restrictions for its NASCAR Cup Series drivers.