By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
NASCAR Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year contender Christopher Bell earned his first top-10 finish in the Coca-Cola 600.
The Leavine Family Racing driver climbed up the running order in the closing laps of NASCAR’s longest race. Bell’s No. 95 Rheem/Procore Toyota Camry primarily battled with Chris Buescher, Kurt Busch, and Austin Dillon among others.
As the race entered overtime, Bell was one of many that pitted for fresh tires. Although coming to the restart it dropped the 25-year-old down the running order, it proved to be his opportunity at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
When the green flag dropped, Bell surged forward. He maneuvered his way through the chaotic scramble in overtime to take the checkered flag in 10th for his first top-10 finish. Bell moved up to ninth when Jimmie Johnson failed post-race technical inspection and was disqualified.
“I think we are headed in the right direction,” explained Bell. “We have to obviously keep making gains – getting a little bit faster, me doing a better job. We’re gaining on it. We are creeping up on it. I think we snuck a little bit of a better finish out than what we probably deserved, but we will take it after the first couple weeks.
“That was a long one. Whenever we had that rain break, obviously, we did not want to see that, because we were just getting into a rhythm. The first 50 went by pretty quick, but the last 50 seemed to drag on a bit. I’m glad I got to experience the full Coke 600, because now all of the rest of them are going to be shorter than that.”
The run to the finish was eventful for Bell. After the rain delay, he found himself battling with Ryan Blaney. The Team Penske driver was faster at the time and put the bumper to Bell in turns three and four. The No. 95 broke loose and drifted through the corner and Blaney went by.
Bell’s dirt track racing experience came into play as he regained control. His loss of momentum however allowed race leader Alex Bowman to quickly catch him. Bell fought hard to finish the stage on the lead lap, preserving his chances for the remainder of the race.
“The 12 car (Ryan Blaney) was probably a little faster than me at that point,” admitted Bell. “I guess he just ran in the back of me, and thankfully I was able to get it back under control and we didn’t go a lap down. That could have really been a day ruiner, but luckily it worked out to where we were able to stay on the lead lap.”
The ninth-place finish is not only the first top-10 for Bell, but the 15th in the history of Leavine Family Racing. It’s the first for the Bob Leavine-owned team since Matt DiBenedetto in the Dover International Speedway playoff race last year. The top-10 is also the first at a 1.5-mile track and the first at Charlotte for the organization.
Despite the top-10 finish, Bell remains 29th in the points standings. He is 198 behind points leader Kevin Harvick and 69 behind fellow Rookie-of-the-Year contender Tyler Reddick who currently holds the final playoff spot.
The NASCAR Cup Series will be back in action in the Alsco Uniforms 500 at Charlotte on Wednesday, May 27.