Joe Gibbs Racing makes Christopher Bell change days after winning All-Star race
Christopher Bell will part ways with longtime spotter Stevie Reeves ahead of the Coca-Cola 600, just days after a $1 million All-Star win.
Just days after winning the NASCAR All-Star Race and taking home $1 million, Christopher Bell's Joe Gibbs Racing team separated him from longtime spotter Stevie Reeves, who has been integral to his hot start this season.
Bell and Reeves were reported to be parting ways on Wednesday. Their relationship ends after nearly five seasons together, a stretch that started during Bell's time at Leavine Family Racing in 2020. The team was sold to Spire Motorsports, but not before returning all of the parts, inventory, and charters to JGR.
Matt Philpott will begin his new role as Bell's spotter with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He is familiar with JGR already as the team's previous interior mechanic and tire specialist and was known mostly for working on Denny Hamlin's No. 11 car.
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Philpott has spotting experience in the Cup series, most recently after doing the job for Tricon Garage and Martin Truex Jr. during this year's Daytona 500. With most of his experience in the Xfinity and Truck series, this will be Philpott's first significant term as a full-time spotter at the top level of NASCAR.
The timing stunned NASCAR fans as Bell is in the middle of an elite-level Cup Series campaign with three wins in a row at Atlanta, COTA, and Phoenix Raceway, Bell also has eight top 10s, six top fives, and sitting third in the standings behind only Kyle Larson and William Byron.
Many expected Bell to be a clear title contender for the Cup Series Championship, but now, he'll chase it without the spotter who helped guide him to Victory Lane just four days ago at North Wilkesboro."Odd timing. They have to be one of the championship favorites,” one fan posted. Another suggested RCR’s Brett Griffin take over the spot, but Griffin quickly shut it down, confirming he’s staying put as the spotter for the No. 33 car.
In 2020, Bell spoke with pride about working with Reeves, calling their connection seamless due to a shared dirt background. "It's cool to be able to drive for Stevie because he obviously has kind of been there done that, and like you mentioned, he came from the same background as me," Bell said.
"So I think we’re pretty much on the same page as far as languages. And you know, I'm really good friends with his kid too. So there's a well-rounded relationship there, and I'm glad that he’s my spotter. I'm looking forward to the day we get to take Victory Lane pictures together."
DON'T MISS
Bell undoubtedly earned his fair share of victories with Reeves by his side, with 12 wins in his Cup Series career through 187 races. All eyes now shift to Charlotte, where Bell will roll out with a new spotter after racing to three top-ten finishes in a row at Texas Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, and the All-Star race win.
