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Christopher Bell Leaves 2024 Daytona 500 with Third-Place Finish
February 22, 2024
One day delayed, Feb. 19 marked the start of the 2024 NASCAR Season with the running of the Great American Race, the Daytona 500.
Fresh off his Duel win on Thursday, Christopher and the #20 team started the race in the 4th position. Early in the race (Lap 5), contact behind the #20 team triggered a caution flag, leading to select teams choosing to pit and refuel. Instead, Bell elected to maintain his track position and stay out in front for the majority of the first stage, before having to pit for fuel.
The second stage featured a ton of two- and three-wide racing, however Christopher climbed back into the top five heading into the home stretch. With less than five laps to go in Stage 2, Christopher pushed toward the lead before ultimately deciding to drop to the back of the drafting pack to minimize risk and avoid any trouble.
Stage three saw much of the same excitement with more than 30 cars, nose to tail, side by side for ten rows. With the help of Stevie Reeves, the #20 team spotter, Christopher worked his way back towards the front.
With eight laps to go, the racing turned up the intensity — there was less give and much more take. Contact at the front of the field caused “The Big One” with 18 drivers collected in the massive wreck.
Fortunately, Christopher was in the right place to be able to escape with minimal damage and set the stage for a final five-lap sprint toward the checkered flag.
“Honestly, we got really fortunate – with those two wrecks, you know,” Christopher said after the race. “Being on the bottom lane, I was able to squeeze by that last wreck… When we had track position, we were fast.”.
A strong showing to start the season, Christopher led a total of twenty-two (22) laps and was able to leave Daytona with his second consecutive third-place finish.
Next up, the 2024 NASCAR Cup season heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway for race #2. Tune into FOX on Sunday, February 25th at 3 p.m. EST on Fox or PRN Radio.
Bell 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Results at Daytona International Speedway:
|
Finish |
Start |
Final Status |
Laps Completed |
Laps Led |
Points |
|
3 |
4 |
Running |
200 |
22 |
34 |
Bell Previous NASCAR Cup Series Stats at Daytona International Speedway:
|
Starts |
Wins |
Top 5 |
Top 10 |
Poles |
Laps Led |
Avg. Start |
Avg. Finish |
|
8 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
62 |
12.0 |
21.4 |
Bell 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Season Stats:
|
Starts |
Wins |
Top 5 |
Top 10 |
Poles |
Laps Led |
Avg. Start |
Avg. Finish |
|
36 |
2 |
10 |
19 |
6 |
599 |
9.6 |
12.9 |
Bell NASCAR Cup Series Career Stats:
|
Starts |
Wins |
Top 5 |
Top 10 |
Poles |
Laps Led |
Avg. Start |
Avg. Finish |
|
144 |
6 |
31 |
62 |
10 |
1290 |
13.8 |
15.7 |
Article Published: February 22, 2024
