Christopher Bell Claims Toyota’s Dominance in NASCAR as He Celebrates Bristol Victory
In a stunning display of speed and skill, Christopher Bell clinched victory at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race held at the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway on September 13. As the dust settled and the cheers echoed, Bell took center stage in a post-race interview with NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass, unleashing his thoughts on Toyota’s incredible performance throughout the playoffs.
With a staggering four Toyota vehicles finishing in the top ten during the grueling 500-lap race, the dominance was unmistakable. Bell’s #20 Camry, which clocked an impressive lap time of 15.21 seconds at a blistering speed of 126.12 mph, secured him a P9 starting position—just a hair’s breadth behind pole sitter AJ Allmendinger in his #16 Chevy.
In a moment of candid reflection, Bell declared his #20 Toyota Camry XSE as the “best race car” he has ever piloted in the Cup Series, a bold statement that highlights the competitive edge held by Toyota over its rivals. “I mean, it sure appears to be that way. And just all the Toyotas are super fast right now,” Bell asserted, emphasizing the prowess of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and 23XI Racing. “I think I said it last week in my post-race interview, that this is the best race cars I’ve had to drive in the Cup Series compared to the competition in my career.”
As the racing world turns its attention to the upcoming Phoenix Raceway event, Bell remained realistic about the challenges ahead. “So that’s a really good; that’s the good news. The bad news is that we’re not running Phoenix next week, and there’s still a long way to go to get there. So, you know, I can promise you, whenever we get to Phoenix, it’s not going to be a runaway,” he cautioned, hinting at the fierce competition that lies ahead.
The next leg of the playoff journey kicks off with the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, September 21. Fans can catch the action live at 2 p.m. via PRN, USA, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90, and HBO Max.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s success at Bristol is undeniable, marking a significant moment in the NASCAR playoffs. The team has been on a roll, with Chase Briscoe initiating a winning streak by taking the Cook Out Southern 500, followed by Denny Hamlin’s impressive win at the Enjoy Illinois 300, culminating in Bell’s own triumph.
Team owner Joe Gibbs expressed the importance of this victory for the organization, stating, “We love this place. I think it’s one of the most exciting races of the year. It is just a thrill tonight. I think we have fast cars all the way around, and for Christopher to get the win was great for DeWalt. Just appreciate them, Toyota, all of our partners…just a big deal for us.”
Rising to the occasion, Bell surged to the front during the closing laps, sealing his fourth win of the season and securing a spot in the next phase of the playoffs, the Round of 12, alongside teammates Hamlin and Briscoe. Currently, Bell holds a commendable fourth position in the Cup Series points standings, boasting 3028 points with four wins, 16 top-10 finishes, 10 top-fives, and one pole position under his belt. His Bristol win has also provided him with a comfortable 20-point buffer above the cutoff line.
As the anticipation builds for the next race, one thing is crystal clear: Christopher Bell and Toyota are a force to be reckoned with in this year’s NASCAR playoffs.
