The Indianapolis 500 is the ultimate test of speed and skill, a race that has long lured drivers from all corners to witness one of the crown jewels of motorsport. Yet, the barriers to entry are higher than ever, and a lack of engine suppliers in IndyCar continues to create challenges. Despite years of effort, Roger Penske has failed to bring a third manufacturer into the series, leaving Honda and Chevrolet to carry the load.

While this is a problem for IndyCar as a whole, it also has ripple effects beyond the series—impacting drivers in other disciplines who dream of crossing over. For NASCAR’s Christopher Bell, who has expressed his desire to race at the Indy 500 someday, this manufacturer bottleneck could mean his dreams are indefinitely stalled.

Christopher Bell, one of NASCAR’s Cup Series rising stars, hasn’t been shy about his interest in tackling the Brickyard one day. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver credits Toyota with shaping his career, from his early days in grassroots racing to his current place as one of NASCAR’s top talents. Naturally, he’d want Toyota to be part of his IndyCar journey. “If Toyota was interested in [IndyCar], I would be raising my hand to do it,” Bell said ahead of the NASCAR Awards ceremony. “They haven’t been (just) a huge part of my career; they have been my career. They have literally taken me from childhood semi-professional or amateur racing all the way to the Cup Series, so I would love that. I would love if they would do it, and I’d be the first one to raise my hand to do it.”

Christopher Bell isn’t the first NASCAR driver to dream of crossing over to IndyCar, and he wouldn’t be the first nor the last to make the leap. The storied history of drivers who have competed in both disciplines shows just how challenging—and rewarding—that journey can be. Perhaps the most famous example is Tony Stewart, who started his career in IndyCar before becoming a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Stewart’s versatility and success in both series cemented his legacy as one of motorsport’s greats. Similarly, Danica Patrick made waves in IndyCar before transitioning to NASCAR, where she became a household name despite limited success on track. Kurt Busch also dabbled in both worlds, famously competing in the 2014 Indianapolis 500 while still racing full-time in NASCAR. Driving an Andretti Autosport Honda, Busch finished an impressive sixth in his Indy 500 debut, earning Rookie of the Year honors. His performance proved that with the right preparation and equipment, NASCAR drivers could compete with IndyCar’s best.

For Bell, following in these drivers’ footsteps presents unique challenges. Unlike Stewart or Patrick, Bell has no prior experience in open-wheel racing, and his manufacturer allegiance to Toyota further complicates his prospects.

The problem? Toyota isn’t currently involved in IndyCar, and their return doesn’t appear imminent. While they’ve been rumored as a potential third manufacturer, Toyota Racing Development president David Wilson has poured cold water on those hopes, stating the company has “no plans” to enter the Penske-owned competition “in the next couple of years.” This leaves Bell in a difficult position. Honda and Chevrolet, the two manufacturers supplying engines in IndyCar, aren’t likely to welcome a Toyota-backed driver into their fold. Honda, in particular, has a storied rivalry with Toyota that dates back decades, making collaboration unlikely. It’s the reason fans believe the IndyCar opportunity to be wishful thinking for Christopher Bell.

Fans think Christopher Bell will sooner lose his seat than race in IndyCar

Fans have been quick to dissect Bell’s chances of breaking through. “Toyota and Honda have a blood feud that makes anything in college football look like a pillow fight,” one fan joked on social media. While both car companies started roughly at the same time in Japan. Their rivalry is not just simply about which has a better racing team in different motorsports, but about their cars. Both sides have die-hard fans who argue endlessly about which side is better.

One fan even went as far as to say, “But would Toyota allow it? I’m sure a drive offer from a Honda team would get nixed.” Although no driver races for both teams at the moment, it has happened in the past. Loic Duval dove for both Honda and Toyota in 2012 when he became a driver for the Toyota team in the Super Formula series. The move was unprecedented since drivers swapping between these two teams is virtually unheard of. Regardless, Duval established himself as one of the very few people who raced for both Japanese manufacturers. Another fan emphasized on this with the comment, “We already know Toyota won’t let him race a Honda.”

Others have speculated that Chevrolet might be equally hesitant. “Will Chevy let him drive one of their cars after he called out their cheating? That is the question,” one observer noted, referencing Bell’s pointed remarks about the Chevy team’s tactics in NASCAR. This refers to the Martinsville incident surrounding Chevy cars that came to William Byron’s defense during the cutoff race. Bell alleged that because Chevy cars banded together, he was forced to take up the infamous Hail Melon move that caused him to be disqualified from the Championship 4.

With Toyota’s potential entry into IndyCar tied to the 2027 engine regulation changes, Bell’s IndyCar aspirations are likely on hold for now. For NASCAR drivers like him, the path to the Indy 500 remains as much about politics as performance.