LOUDON, N.H. – Christopher Bell’s spectacular resume from three Cup Series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway obtained one other improve.
Bell will defend his title from the pole place for Sunday’s (2:30 p.m.) working of the Crayon 301 in a subject of 26 racers on the Magic Mile.
Bell, the operator of the No. 20 Rheem-WATTS Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, captured his first pole at NHMS and fifth total throughout Saturday’s qualifying runs on a observe that was arduous to deal with and unforgiving.
“I was very surprised how hard the cars were to drive in practice and in qualifying,” mentioned Bell. “Everyone was slipping and sliding around and I think it is going to be a different race than what we saw last year.”
Bell topped the sector with a high lap velocity of 124.781 mph. and a time of 30.524. Bell will start the race alongside Joe Gibbs’ teammate Martin Truex Jr., who got here by way of at 1:24.752. Lane two shall be occupied by 2021 champion Aric Almirola (124.707) and two-time champion Joey Logano (124.589).
“Qualifying today was certainly a matter of not screwing up,” mentioned Bell. “It was a very different qualifying session because most of the time you are able to maximize your car but today was a matter of not taking yourself out of it.”
Bell secured the second Cup Series victory of his profession at New Hampshire final yr and certified for the NASCAR playoffs. He completed runner as much as Almirola in 2021. Bell received his three Xfinity races right here and one in all his two Truck Series races. Bell and Kyle Busch are the one drivers to win a Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series race at NHMS.
Bell is fourth within the driver rankings with 591 factors in 19 begins with one win, 5 finishes within the high 5 and 10 within the high 10. The lone win was at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 9 and it secured a slot within the upcoming Cup Series playoffs. With the playoff berth in place, Bell’s fast ambition is to complete the common season in first place.
“Here we are a year later and you are focused on those three or four cars that are racing for points,” mentioned Bell. “One mistake or dangerous stage and you’ll lose a number of factors in a short time.
“There are a lot of cars we are trying to keep up with and trying to out run and we have to stay on top of it.”
Homecoming hero
Reigning two-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano of Middletown, Conn., started his climb to the highest of the NASCAR hierarchy as an apprentice driver on the small backwater tracks of New England.
Logano will make his twenty fifth Cup Series begin at NHMS when he climbs contained in the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford for Team Penske. Logano has loved an outstanding run at NHMS with two wins, eight high 5 finishes and 13 within the high 10.
“This place has more memories for me than any other track I go to,” mentioned Logano. “Coming right here as a child watching the races and I noticed my first Cup Series race right here.
“I started my first cup race here, got my first cup win here and have a couple of wins here. So, it’s been a really special place for me and so many family members and friends are here.”
Logano turned the youngest driver to win a Sprint Cup sequence race when he took the checkered flag within the Lenox 301 at NHMS on June 28, 2009 for Joe Gibbs racing. Logano clinched his second win on the Magic Mile on Sept. 21, 2014, his first season with staff Penske.
Logano is tenth within the driver standings with 518 factors, one win, 5 high 5 finishes and 9 within the high 10 with a median end of 15.265.
Harvick’s farewell
Kevin Harvick has been the dominant driver at NHMS on this century and can make his fortieth and remaining begin on the Magic Mike contained in the No. 4 Busch Lite Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Harvick and Jeff Burton share the document with 4 Cup Series wins at NHMS. He has 14 high 5 finishes, 23 high 10 with one pole and a staggering 11,377 laps led. He has been probably the most constant driver with a 12.7 common begin and 12.2 common end. He has accrued $3,966,023 in earnings in a tax pleasant state.
“It has been a great place for us to race throughout the years,” mentioned Harvick. “I really feel like 4 wins needs to be 10, however I really feel that about a number of locations.
“I have seen (NHMS) go though some different transitions as far as the layout of the track. It’s been fun to come here and we have a great following here.”
Victory Lane
JH Nemechek bolted to the lead off a restart with two extra time laps remaining to seize the Xfinity Series Ambetter Health 200. Nemechek is the operator of the No. 20 Persil Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing.
The race was a fractured affair that went underneath warning 10 occasions and included a pile up behind the leaders on the ultimate lap. Nemechek led for 137 laps to safe his fourth Xfinity victory of the season and the 199th all-time for Joe Gibbs Racing. Pole winner Chandler Smith was second and Austin Hill positioned third.
“I got good launches on the restarts,” mentioned Nemechek. “I tried everything I knew how to do on the restarts the best I could. The bottom lane was playing games for sure.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com