In anticipation of the Sept. 21 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Playoffs race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS), defending two-time NHMS NCS race winner Christopher Bell, driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, spent Wednesday in Boston, Mass. touring the city and enjoying some of what it has to offer.
Bell began with a tour of Boston aboard an iconic Duck Boat, affectionately named “Symphony Hal” after Boston’s Symphony Hall, the home of Boston Symphony Orchestra, with NHMS Executive Vice President and General Manager David McGrath and members of local media. The tour was led by driver Tony and narrator “The Great Garabaldi,” whose historic narration of the landmarks throughout Boston was filled with NASCAR puns, playful jabs at McGrath and nods to Bell’s career. The tour showcased iconic Boston landmarks such as the Omni Parker House (the birthplace of Boston Crème Pie), the Freedom Trail, the Massachusetts State House, Boston Common (America’s oldest public park), the Public Garden (America’s oldest public botanical garden), the bronze “Make Way for Ducklings” statues, Faneuil Hall and more. The Duck Boat drove straight into the Charles River, where Bell took the wheel and did his first donuts on the water.
Once he returned to land, Bell visited the North End, Boston’s oldest residential community known for its Italian restaurants. Bell strapped on an apron and joined Head Chef Felipe Gustavo Pereira Santos and Chef de Cuisine Alonso Cedillas in the kitchen at Umbria. The chefs taught Bell how to make their Short Rib Caramelle Pasta and then walked Bell through an incredible display of appetizers, including Potato Croquets, Cacio E Pepe Arancini, Antipasto Skewers, Chicken Parmesan Skewers, Caprese Skewers, Smoked Salmon Crostini, Sausage and Pepper Spiedini, Tomato, Basil and Garlic Bruschetta and Prosciutto and Melon. They then took him on a tour of delectable desserts including cupcakes, cannoli, tiramisu, beignets and more.
After fueling up on the authentic Italian fare, Bell concluded his tour of Boston with a visit to Seacrest Studios at Boston Children’s Hospital. A few patients joined Bell in the studio where they played “Arty Party” and designed race cars, racetracks and even new firesuits for the 12-time NCS winner. The studio feature was broadcast to the more than 470 rooms throughout the hospital where the patients could interact and play along with Bell. He then left his studio guests with signed hero cards, a plush moose or lobster from NHMS and of course, a picture.
Before heading back to Boston Logan International Airport to return home, Bell reflected on the day:
“It was an amazing day to get just the history of this place,” said Bell. “Overall a really, really fun day, and I can’t wait to see everybody at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Round of 12 opener. It’s going to be a really important race, and a lot more serious when we come back to New England.”
Bell will return to New England in just a few weeks for the region’s only NASCAR Playoffs weekend, Sept, 19-21 at NHMS. On-track action kicks off Friday with NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) practice sessions, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) practice and qualifying plus SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels at The Flat Track. The action continues on Doubleheader Saturday with NWMT qualifying, the Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race, the Team EJP 175 NCTS playoff race and NCS practice and qualifying. The on-track action culminates Sunday with the NCS taking on “The Magic Mile” to kick off the Round of 12. Don’t miss all of the exciting off-track action including “The Magic Mile” Happy Hour Show, Trackside Live, The Groove fan hangout, concerts from Draw the Line and Being Petty: The Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Experience, Family Movie Night featuring “Captain America: Brave New World,” driver appearances, a variety of live performances, fireworks and much more.
For a full NASCAR weekend schedule, visit NHMS.com/Events/NASCAR-Cup-Series/Schedule/.
Tickets:
For tickets and camping for New England’s only NASCAR Playoffs weekend, featuring the NCS and Team EJP 175 NCTS playoff races, Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race and SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels, fans should visit NHMS.com or call 833-4LOUDON. Tickets for kids 12 and under are just $10 on Sunday, free on Doubleheader Saturday and start at $10 on Friday. Race fans who attend the Sept. 19-21, 2025 NASCAR Playoffs weekend at NHMS will be the first ones able to lock in their favorite seats and campsites for NHMS’s Aug. 22-23, 2026 NASCAR weekend by renewing while they’re on site next month.
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