Charlotte, NC – May 22, 2025 — NASCAR has handed down a significant penalty to Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell after a thorough investigation revealed rule violations during the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bell, who originally finished first in the high-profile event, has been accused of using an unauthorized aerodynamic modification that provided a competitive edge during the race.
According to NASCAR officials, Bell’s No. 20 Toyota was found to have an unapproved adjustment to its underbody components, discovered during a post-race teardown inspection at the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord. The illegal modification allegedly enhanced downforce, giving Bell superior cornering capability on the short track.
As a result, NASCAR has officially disqualified Bell from his All-Star Race win, stripped the team of its prize money — estimated at $1 million — and issued an L3-level penalty, the most severe in the NASCAR rulebook. Bell has also been docked 50 championship points, while crew chief Adam Stevens has been suspended for six races and fined $250,000.
“NASCAR maintains a zero-tolerance policy on any actions that compromise the integrity of the competition,” said Elton Sawyer, NASCAR Senior VP of Competition. “All teams are held to the same standard, and violations of this magnitude will be met with strong consequences.”
Joe Gibbs Racing released a brief statement acknowledging the penalty but stated it would review all findings before deciding whether to appeal.
The controversy has sent shockwaves through the garage, raising renewed concerns over gray-area engineering and enforcement consistency. As the 2025 season heats up, all eyes will be on how Bell and his team respond to the setback — and whether NASCAR’s crackdown will set a new precedent moving forward.
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