As the dust settles on the Phoenix Raceway, the NASCAR Cup Series has witnessed yet another triumphant win from Christopher Bell. The revered driver has now claimed three consecutive victories, a feat that was last achieved by Kyle Larson in 2021.
In the high-octane world of NASCAR, Larson had previously enjoyed the spotlight with a 10-win season, which included two three-race winning streaks. Those victories spanned across the Charlotte, Sonoma, Nashville, Charlotte Roval, Texas, and Kansas races. However, all eyes are now on Bell as he takes the pole position into the upcoming race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bell’s current winning streak includes victories at Atlanta, Circuit of The Americas, and Phoenix. His recent success has not only brought him personal accolades but also marked him as the first driver to win three consecutive races in the Next Gen era.
Larson, reflecting on his own experience, expressed respect for Bell’s achievements. He also candidly admitted that while he appreciates another driver’s success, it could become annoying if the streak continues. Despite this, Larson acknowledged the challenging nature of the sport, especially in the Next Gen era, and lauded Bell’s accomplishments.
As Bell gears up for the Las Vegas race, his past performances at the track make him a strong contender. Despite never having won there, Bell has been a dominant force, leading 248 laps and claiming three pole positions since the Next Gen era began in 2022.
Bell’s winning streak has earned him the respect of his fellow competitors, including Ryan Blaney. Blaney, who will start from the back of the pack due to a blown tire, praised Bell and his Joe Gibbs Racing team for their performance. At the same time, he expressed a competitive desire to halt their winning streak.
Bell’s teammate, Tyler Reddick, also acknowledged the difficulty of achieving such consistent dominance in the races. Reddick, a Toyota teammate of Bell’s through the 23XI Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing alliance, expressed admiration for Bell’s performance.
Denny Hamlin, who was narrowly beaten by Bell at Phoenix, commended Bell’s three-race winning streak. Despite having 54 Cup Series wins under his belt, Hamlin has never managed to clinch three consecutive wins. He voiced respect for the difficulty of the feat and praised Bell’s form.
The last time a driver clinched four consecutive victories in the Cup Series was in 2007, when Jimmie Johnson accomplished the feat. Bell now has the opportunity to match this record. However, he remains level-headed, acknowledging that the past victories do not guarantee future success.
Bell expressed excitement about the upcoming race but emphasized the need to remain focused. He acknowledged that each race is a new challenge and that all competitors would be bringing their best efforts to the track.
So, as the engines rev up for the next race, the spotlight remains on Bell. His recent victories and consistent performance have set the stage for an exciting race, where he will look to extend his winning streak. The question remains: who will be the one to break Bell’s winning streak? Only time will tell.