RACE: Super Start Batteries 400
TRACK: Kansas Speedway
START: 2nd
FINISH: 23rd
LAPS: 267 laps

Bell Overcomes Damage to Finish 23rd at Kansas

Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1-80)

• Christopher Bell started 22nd at Kansas Speedway based on a random draw for the starting lineup.
• Bell worked his way up to 17th by the competition caution on lap 25. The No. 95 Rheem Toyota was a little tight, so under the competition caution Bell came down pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments.
• Racing resumed on lap 31 and went green all the way to the conclusion of stage one on lap 80.
• The No. 95 was tight to fire and handled tighter the higher Bell ran on the track, but migrated a little better as the run went on.
• Bell finished stage one 14th then came down pit road for four fresh tires, fuel and another adjustment to start stage two.

Stage 2 Recap (Laps 87-160)

• Bell started 20th and finished 16th in stage two.
• The car continued to be on the tight side and Bell said “the higher I run the tighter I am.”
• A pit stop under caution for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment helped the handling and Bell steadily worked his way around Kansas Speedway.
• As stage two came to a close, the track continued to tighten up. Bell finished out stage two 16th but said his No. 95 Toyota would only turn on the bottom.
• Bell came down pit road for four tires, fuel and another chassis adjustment.

Stage 3 Recap (Laps 166-267)

• Bell started stage three 14th and crossed the finish line 23rd.
• Bell drove his way into the top 10 right from the start of the final stage and said his No. 95 Rheem Toyota was still tight but better.
• Bell was able to avoid a multi-car accident on lap 175 but didn’t fair so well on lap 183. The field took the green on lap 182 and Bell jumped into the high line and got a push from behind that turned him into the outside wall and across the track, bringing out the red flag.
• The team was able to repair the No. 95 and get Bell back on track two laps down to the field.
• Bell utilized pit strategy and saving fuel as the final stage continued to try and salvage the best finish possible.
• Bell ultimately finished 23rd, three laps down to the leaders.

Up Next: The NASCAR Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 on Sunday, August 2nd. The race will be broadcast at 3:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN.