Christopher Bell Makes NASCAR History with Third Consecutive Win
AVONDALE, Ariz. — In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, Christopher Bell etched his name into the NASCAR history books by becoming the first driver to win three consecutive races in the NextGen car. Bell’s victory at Phoenix Raceway was nothing short of spectacular, as he narrowly edged out his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin by a mere 0.049 seconds, marking the second-closest finish in the track’s history.
Starting from the 11th position in the 312-mile race, Bell had already proven his mettle with wins at Atlanta and Circuit of America in the previous weeks. His strategic prowess was on full display as he took the lead out of the pits during a caution and maintained his position through two late restarts. This remarkable feat made him the first driver to achieve three straight wins since Kyle Larson did so in 2021.
The race at Phoenix was particularly notable as it was the first since Richmond last year to offer teams two sets of option tires. These red tires, known for their superior grip, added an intriguing layer of strategy to the race, as they tend to wear out after about 35 laps. Several drivers, including Joey Logano and Ryan Preece, opted for the red tires early on, which initially propelled them to the front before they eventually fell back.
Bell, however, saved a set of red tires for the final stretch, a decision that paid off handsomely. With 17 laps remaining, he pulled away from Hamlin on a restart, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. In the final two laps, Hamlin managed to pull alongside Bell, and the two engaged in a tense battle, bumping each other as they rounded the final turns. Bell managed to hold his ground, crossing the finish line with a slight wobble to secure his 12th career Cup Series win, having led 105 laps in total.
Behind Bell and Hamlin, the race saw Kyle Larson finishing third, Josh Berry in fourth, and Chris Buescher rounding out the top five.
In a significant moment for the sport, Katherine Legge became the first woman to compete in the Cup Series since Danica Patrick at the Daytona 500 seven years ago. Unfortunately, Legge’s race was marred by challenges, as she struggled with a tight car and finished 30th. After spinning her No. 78 Chevrolet coming out of Turn 2, she was forced to pit, dropping to the back of the field. Her difficulties continued as she bumped another car and spun again on Lap 215, inadvertently taking out Daniel Suarez in the process.
Joey Logano, who started on the front row in his first race at Phoenix since winning his third Cup Series title at the track last fall, faced his own set of challenges. A mistake on an early restart saw him dip his No. 22 Ford below the yellow line, prompting NASCAR officials to penalize him with a pass-through on pit road. Despite his protests over the radio, Logano found himself at the back of the field. He made a valiant effort to regain the lead with the red tires but ultimately finished 13th.
Ryan Preece took an early gamble by switching to the red option tires, which initially paid off as he surged from 33rd to third. However, as the tires wore off, he dropped back, eventually finishing 15th after another stint on the red tires and a switch back to the primary tires with 42 laps to go.
- The race was the second-closest in Phoenix Raceway history.
- Christopher Bell led 105 laps in total.
- Katherine Legge was the first woman to race in the Cup Series since Danica Patrick.
As the series moves forward, all eyes will be on Las Vegas Motor Speedway next weekend, where drivers will once again test their mettle and strategies in the high-stakes world of NASCAR racing.
Originally Written by: Tisha ThompsonRyan McGeeRyan McGeeAssociated Press
