NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Fans React To Versatile Christopher Bell Winning Again, Claims EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix At COTA

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published02 Mar 2025

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After battling with Kyle Busch for several laps, attempting to set up the struggling NASCAR Cup Series veteran into a mistake. It finally developed with four laps remaining during Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at a windy, reconfigured Circuit of The Americas. 

Recognizing a “bobble,” Bell pulled in front along Turn 1 as Busch, who entered Sunday winless in his past 59 circuit starts, fell back fourth with his right-rear tire failing. 

As reigning champion Joey Logano spun out in Turn A, but continued, William Byron challenged Bell along Turn 15, but could not complete the move. 

In a clean four-way battle for the lead, with Tyler Reddick (P3) and Chase Elliott (P4), Bell, who visited Victory Lane at Atlanta last Sunday, earned back-to-back titles for the first time in his career. His first win came on a drafting track. His second on a road course. Bell, a noted offseason dirt-track racer, is developing into one of the circuit’s most versatile drivers. 

“Road races are so much fun,” Bell told Fox Sports. ”Last week on a superspeedway, I never thought I would do that. I had this circled.”

X (Twitter) users responded to some classic road-course racing Sunday … 

The NASCAR army … 

After winning the Xfinity Series race Saturday, rookie Connor Zilisch received pre-race well-wishes from Cup veterans … 

Among this year’s changes at the shortened COTA, NASCAR officials removed the barriers in the esses. Daniel Suarez agreed with the alteration … 

Texas green and early trouble for Elliott, who rebounded … 

After absorbing contact from Austin Cindric’s No. 2 Ford, Ty Dillon spun out on Lap 4. Dillon’s No. 10 Chevrolet attempted to continue as it smoked heavily … 

 The early-race drama continued on the next rotation at the 2.40-mile track as Noah Gragson spun out and Shane van Gisbergen challenged Bubba Wallace for the lead along Turn 13. Wallace ended up taking a shortcut at Turn 5 and was called for a penalty … 

Van Gisbergen, who won the Chicago Street Race during his 2023 series debut, boldly drove underneath Reddick along the new Turn 6A to claim the lead. He extended his lead to nearly 1.5 seconds over the next five rotations … 

 Van Gisbergen, the lone right-foot breaker during Sunday’s event, demonstrated fancy “old-school” footwork …

Passing van Gisbergen, Kyle Busch claimed the lead on Lap 27, the first time he paced the field at a road course since 2023 … 

Passing van Gisbergen, Busch claimed the lead on Lap 27, the first time he paced the field at a road course since 2023. Busch entered Sunday winless in his past 59 Cup outings … 

Making a move on Turn 6B, van Gisbergen displayed his road-racing prowess by passing Busch on Lap 35 …  

One lap shy of capping Stage 2, the leaders elected to make pit stops as Kyle Larson No. 5 Chevrolet lost its right tire along Turn 15 … 

After Michael McDowell claimed the advantage on the inside along Turn 2, Busch re-emerged as the leader on Turn 6A. Meanwhile, Suarez spun out along Turn 19 and was struck by Zilisch …

Pitting with a big lead on Lap 74, van Gisbergen allowed Busch to re-take the lead and claim a 2.45-second advantage over Byron, who also placed second in the Xfinity race Saturday … 

SVG caught a break when Austin Dillon was hit by Denny Hamlin and got stuck in the “kitty litter,” as Fox Sports commentator Mike Joy described. The caution allowed the field to close ranks and van Gisbergen figured to take advantage of his fresh tires. It didn’t work out, though … 

Bell celebrated his versatility …