Christopher Bell Leads Joe Gibbs Racing's Playoff Sweep at Bristol
Christopher Bell secured a thrilling victory at Bristol Motor Speedway, completing a clean sweep of the first round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Bell's win marked the end of a 24-race winless streak and solidified JGR's dominance early in the playoffs.
Bell's Decisive Move and JGR's Triumph
On the final restart, Bell surged from fourth to first, leading the final four laps of the 0.533-mile oval. This victory marks his fourth of the season and 13th of his career. He joins his JGR teammates Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe as playoff race winners, showcasing the team's strength. Team owner Joe Gibbs expressed his excitement about the strong start to the playoffs.
"It wasn't pretty there at the end, but we got her done," said Bell. "We just know that any given week, it could be us, and it hasn't been for a long time. But Bristol, baby, tonight it's us."
Keselowski's Near Miss and High Drama at Bristol
Brad Keselowski finished a close second, just 0.343 seconds behind Bell, extending his own winless streak to 51 races. The race was marked by a season-high 14 caution flags, totaling 137 laps, as teams struggled with a new right-side tire experiencing excessive wear. Austin Cindric faced a dramatic moment when a fire erupted under his car, but he managed to finish 30th, securing the final transfer spot into the second round.
Playoff Eliminations and Standout Performances
Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, and Josh Berry were eliminated from championship contention after the Bristol race. Berry faced a particularly tough exit with a fire on his car. Ty Gibbs led a race-high 201 laps but encountered issues during his final pit stop. Other notable finishes included Zane Smith in third, Ryan Blaney in fourth, and Joey Logano in fifth.
Winners and Losers from the Bristol Playoff Race
Winners
- Christopher Bell: Overcame frustration to win and boost team morale.
- Joe Gibbs Racing: Swept the first round with three different drivers.
- Brad Keselowski: Finished second, continuing to chase a win.
- Zane Smith: Achieved his first top 10 in 11 races.
- Ryan Blaney: Advanced to the next round with a consecutive fourth-place finish.
- Corey Heim: Placed a career-best sixth in his seventh Cup start.
Losers
- Josh Berry: Eliminated from the playoffs after a third consecutive last-place finish.
- Alex Bowman: Fell short of advancing despite a strong rally.
- Daniel Suarez: Finished poorly for the second consecutive race.
- Shane van Gisbergen: Eliminated despite collecting 22 playoff points in the regular season.
Looking Ahead: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs will continue at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, Sept. 21. This race marks the first Cup Series event at the 1.058-mile oval since June 2024 and the first playoff race in Loudon, New Hampshire, since September 2017.
