By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
In what seems to be his final trip to Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Christopher Bell’s struggles at the 0.526-mile facility continued in the Texas Roadhouse 200 on Saturday afternoon.
This time around, Bell struggled throughout the majority of the race to fire off. Going into this final round, Bell and his No. 4 Toyota team knew Martinsville was going to be the biggest challenge for the team. Compared to the first and last stage, the second stage fared well for Bell. In the second stage, Bell finished fourth. Bell does not see today as a setback.
“I think looking at this round we knew this was out struggle point. We had a really good truck there the second stage. We were able to move forward. I think we were fourth or something like that on the second stage. Apart from that, we just couldn’t get going all day long,” said Bell. “We struggled in qualifying and struggled firing off the race and then struggled at the end. I don’t know what it is about this place that I struggle with, but I just couldn’t get going today.”
On lap 123, Bell spun from the race lead after a bump from Matt Crafton. Bell was able to continue without any damage, but flat-spotted his tires, forcing the team to use an extra set of tires that they did not planned on using.
Bell felt that the move from Crafton was just a racing incident.
“I haven’t seen it so I don’t know too much. I don’t think Matt has any reason to intentionally spin me. I don’t think there is anything there that was outside of incidental.
Despite the eighth place finish at Martinsville, Bell is looking forward to returning to Texas Motor Speedway, where he scored the victory back in June.
“Overall, it was not the day we wanted. We were able to salvage a good finish out of it. We got some good stage points in the second stage. We will move onto Texas and hopefully be a lot better where we were today.”