Connor Bell’s racing résumé doesn’t read like the typical “karting since I could walk” origin story and that’s kind of the point. The 20 year old has built his career the modern way: a little bit of local karting, a big leap in learning through sim racing during the COVID era, then real world seat time that escalated quickly from track days to wheel to wheel racing and, now, NASCAR Canada.
“I only did a little bit of karting,” Bell explained. “It was like a couple years of local, not very serious kart racing. And then when COVID hit, I got into sim racing and caught the bug for racing again.”
That “bug” turned into momentum. At 15, Bell did his first track day and says he was hooked immediately. From there, he began sharpening his racecraft in Spec Miata, moved into the Super Production Challenge, and even logged weekends in Radical machinery along the way.
“Started out in Miatas, Spec Miatas, and then did some racing in Super Production Challenge, which is basically just production cars, low horsepower, stuff like that,” said Bell. “I did a couple weekends in Radicals as well.”
When asked what he prefers between those paths and NASCAR Canada competition, Bell didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely the NASCAR,” he said. “The Radical is fun, but nothing beats the high horsepower of the NASCAR. It’s just so much different than anything else I’ve driven. You can really slide it around. It’s actually pretty forgiving. And then the racing, there’s no other series like it. I don’t really mind the buffing and banging, so yeah, it’s been fun so far.”
A key part of Bell’s rapid progression has been the simulator and he’s blunt about how important it’s been.
“I’d say sim racing helped with my development as a driver way more than anything else,” Bell said. “Tracks for sure. I actually learned a lot about the NASCAR Canada Series cars, or driving a stock car, from the sim before I even jumped into one.”
For Bell, it’s not just about memorizing braking points. He sees sim racing as a practical tool for experimenting with technique and setup without burning time and budget.
“You can do some trial and error on the sim and then save yourself lots of time and money in real life,” he added.
That approach paid off in a big way at Calabogie, where Bell arrived prepared and left with a headline result. Ahead of the event, he put in virtual laps at the track, using a realistic version available on Assetto Corsa.
“There’s a pretty realistic one on a game called Assetto Corsa,” Bell said. “I’m pretty sure it’s a LiDAR scan, so it’s pretty good. I was basically able to try different things on the sim, try some setup things, and overall just get up to pace quicker than I ever would just by focusing on both.”
Bell’s Calabogie weekend was a blend of confidence and quick adaptation. He entered with strong expectations, backed by testing and familiarity with his home circuit, but also with the added challenge of joining a new environment.
“Going into the weekend I still had pretty high expectations. I wanted like a top five or top six,” said Bell. “I knew we’d have the equipment to do it, and obviously being my home track, that was an advantage. We had done quite a bit of testing, so it was a big help. That being said, I’d never driven EHR’s car or even met the team. So that was interesting.”
Bell and the team found speed early, even as he worked through the nuances of NASCAR Canada’s tire packages.
“We got up to pace really quick in practice,” he said. “Qualifying, I had no idea how to drive the sticker tires, so I kind of under pushed in qualifying, hence why we started fifth.”
From there, the race became a discipline exercise: manage tire wear, keep the car clean, and stay in position to attack late. Even a mid race penalty didn’t derail the effort.
“Basically it was just saving tires the whole race, keeping the car clean,” Bell said. “Unfortunately we got that penalty halfway through the race, but it didn’t affect us too much, and I think it put us really in a good spot at the end of the race. From there we basically had the better car.”
Looking ahead, Bell is keeping details appropriately “vanilla,” but his ambition is clear. He intends to be back in NASCAR Canada and wants to run as many events as possible, with a focus on expanding opportunities.
“We’re trying to do as many races as we can,” Bell said, noting that he’s working to put the pieces together to broaden his schedule.
When asked which tracks on the NASCAR Canada calendar he’s most excited about, Bell pointed to iconic venues and unfinished business.
“I’d like to do GP3R in a NASCAR,” he said. “I’ve done it in a 200 horsepower Subaru, which was already fun, so I can’t imagine over 500 horsepower stock cars. I can’t wait to go back to Mosport in the spring. Want that win there as well.”
And if he could pick any track in the world, Bell’s answers reveal his roots and his taste.
“I’m going to say probably Nürburgring. Or Spa. One of the two,” he said, laughing. “I’m not really a big NASCAR guy, stock car guy. I come from more of a GT background, so I guess those are the bucket list tracks in that category.”
As for the dream ride?
“A Porsche GT3 R,” Bell said. “A little basic, but you can’t go wrong with the Porsche.”