Christopher Bell says he has plenty of Playoff experience

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 15: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem-Opteon Toyota, and crew walk the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 15, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

For all intents and purposes, Christopher Bell shows up at Las Vegas fresh one of the most clutch performances of his young NASCAR Cup Series career. The 27-year old driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota took his first lead of Sunday’s ROVAL Playoff elimination race with two laps remaining – holding on for the victory and automatically advancing to the Round of 8 that begins this weekend at Las Vegas.

It was only the third win of Bell’s three-year fulltime career in the marquee NASCAR Cup Series. And certainly it had the greatest impact. He would not have advanced on points.

“It’s nice to still be in that’s for sure,’’ Bell said with a slight grin, adding “That was a big one and it was big for me personally because it was so unexpected. At Loudon or Daytona road course, I was a competitive car that won the race whereas last week at the Charlotte road course I didn’t expect to be a top car going in and the race really played out exactly how I was expecting. … When the yellow came out it mixed up all the strategies and we played it right.

“It was very rewarding because it was so unforeseen.’’

A perennial NASCAR Xfinity Series championship contender, Bell dismissed talk that his inexperience this deep into the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs would play any role going forward.

“Definitely these next three races, specifically the next two (at Las Vegas this week and Homestead-Miami Speedway next week) I feel really good about.’’

“I’ve had experience with this format my entire NASCAR career, not as long as some of the guys I’m competing against, but I think it’s all relevant.

“Much more in control of your own destiny,’’ Bell added of this Playoff round. “The next two races the cream should be able to rise to the top I’d say.’’

Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service
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