NASCAR Star Christopher Bell Suffers Left Wrist Fracture After Michigan Crash, Found Cleared To Race

Christopher Bell has been diagnosed with a fractured left wrist following a violent crash at Michigan International Speedway, but has been medically cleared to compete in this weekend's NASCAR Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway, his Joe Gibbs Racing team confirmed.

Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Bell suffered the injury in a lap 148 accident during Sunday's FireKeepers Casino 400, where he was racing Chase Elliott for second place when Elliott's car lost control and shot up the track into Bell.

Bell's No. 20 Toyota was sent hard into the outside SAFER barrier in Turns 3 and 4, causing significant damage and forcing NASCAR to stop the race to repair the impacted section of wall, according to Motorsport.

Violent Michigan Crash

Both Bell and Elliott were able to climb from their cars without assistance and were initially evaluated and released from the infield care center at Michigan.

After returning to North Carolina, Bell underwent X-rays that confirmed a fracture in his left wrist, according to a team statement shared by Joe Gibbs Racing.

The organization said that despite the injury, NASCAR's medical staff and team doctors have cleared Bell to drive, and he will remain behind the wheel of the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE at Pocono.

Reports indicate Bell will use a specialized cast molded to the steering wheel to help manage the injury while continuing his 2026 campaign, Fanbuzz reported.

Team owner Joe Gibbs had previously indicated that Bell was dealing with both wrist and ankle issues after the crash and would require further evaluation once he returned home, though only the wrist fracture has been formally confirmed.

Bell did not require surgery for the injury, and there has been no announcement of a relief driver for Pocono or subsequent races. The team has not detailed any restrictions on Bell's track activity beyond the protective measures for his wrist.

The Aftermath of the Crash

The Michigan crash occurred with just over 50 laps remaining as Bell and Elliott battled inside the top three, contributing to a red flag period while safety crews repaired the damaged barrier.

Elliott accepted responsibility for the incident, acknowledging that he got loose beneath Bell before sliding into him and triggering the heavy impact. Bell's wreck and resulting DNF dropped him three positions in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, leaving him 10th in points leaving Michigan.

He will now attempt to race through the injury as the series heads to Pocono, where the No. 20 team continues its push toward the playoffs, as per Yahoo Sports.

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