Christopher Bell exited his car at the first caution in the NASCAR San Diego race on June 21 on Lap 13 with relief driver Brent Crews take over for him.
Bell has recently been hampered by a broken wrist sustained in a crash at the NASCAR Michigan race on June 7. The Naval base at Coronado street course involves numerous turns, making it challenging with Bell’s current condition.
Advertisement
Crews, a native of Davidson, North Carolina, just turned 18 on March 30 making him eligible to compete full-time in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He drives the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing in the O’Reilly Series. This will be Crews’ Cup Series debut, albeit in relief
1 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Boot Barn Chevrolet, signs an autograph for a U.S. Navy service member during the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
1 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Boot Barn Chevrolet, signs an autograph for a U.S. Navy service member during the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
2 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: A general view of the atmosphere prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
3 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: NASCAR Chief Executive Officer Steve O’Donnell speaks at the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
4 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: A general view of the atmosphere prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
5 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: NASCAR fans arrive for the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
6 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: A general view of the atmosphere prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
7 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: A NASCAR fan arrives for the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
8 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: A NASCAR fan poses for photos in a replica of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota in the fanzone on the midway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
9 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: A general view of the atmosphere prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
10 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: A general view of the San Diego skyline harbor prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
11 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: NASCAR Chief Executive Officer Steve O’Donnell speaks at the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
12 / 12
NASCAR San Diego race from Naval base Coronado featuring Shane van Gisbergen
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 21: A general view of the atmosphere prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
Bell fractured his left wrist in a hard crash at Michigan International Speedway with Chase Elliott. After back-to-back second-place finishes in the previous two races, Bell finished 31st at Michigan and 26th at Pocono on June 14.
Crews finished 31st in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at San Diego on June 20. He was second in the series at Pocono on June 13 and second at Nashville on May 30. He was also second at Talladega on April 25.
Crews is 13th in the current O’Reilly Series points standings.
Advertisement
Christopher Bell points standings
Bell is currently 10th in points in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. He’s 255 points behind points leader Tyler Reddick.
Bell has not won this season.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR San Diego race: Christopher Bell replaced by Brent Crews
