Bell Rings in Early Dominance with Phoenix Victory
Christopher Bell continued his blazing start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, securing his third consecutive victory at Phoenix Raceway in the Shriners Childrens 500. In a thrilling finish, Bell edged out his Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) teammate Denny Hamlin and Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson to claim the checkered flag, marking his second consecutive win at the Avondale, Arizona track in the March race.
Bell’s dominant performance follows wins at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Circuit of the Americas, establishing him as the driver to beat in the early stages of the season. This impressive streak makes him the first driver since Kyle Larson in 2021 to win three consecutive races. Larson accomplished the feat twice that season, ultimately leading to his NASCAR Cup Series championship.
The 30-year-old driver’s achievement also places him in rare company as only the second driver since Kevin Harvick in 2018 to win three of the first four races of the season. Furthermore, Bell is the first driver to achieve three consecutive victories in the Next Gen car, which was introduced to the series in 2022.
Bell’s only stumble this season occurred at the season-opening Daytona 500, where he finished 31st after being caught in a late-race crash. However, he has rebounded in remarkable fashion.
On Sunday at Phoenix, despite starting 11th, Bell showcased the strength of his No. 20 Toyota Camry, quickly moving into contention. By the end of Stage 1, he had already positioned himself within the top four. He then proceeded to win Stage 2, demonstrating his car’s superior speed and his team’s strategic execution.
It appeared as though Bell was poised for a comfortable victory, but a late-race caution thrown by his own JGR teammate, Denny Hamlin, injected drama into the closing laps. With just eight laps remaining, Hamlin made contact with the wall after experiencing a tire blowout.
The caution forced Bell to navigate a restart with intense pressure from Hamlin and Larson. Despite their efforts to overtake him, Bell maintained the lead. Hamlin mounted a fierce challenge in the final laps, creating a nail-biting finish that was one of the closest in Phoenix Raceway history. However, Bell held on to secure the victory by a mere 0.049 seconds.
This win marks the 12th NASCAR Cup Series victory of Bell’s career. Significantly, he has already equaled his personal best for wins in a single season, matching his three-win campaigns in both 2022 and 2024. This early success suggests that Bell is a serious contender for the championship in 2025.
Rounding out the top six finishers at Phoenix were Josh Berry, Chris Buescher, and William Byron, the winner of the Daytona 500. Byron also had a strong showing, winning the opening stage at Phoenix and entering the race as the Cup Series points leader.
The race at Phoenix was not without its challenges and moments of intrigue. Joey Logano recovered from an early penalty to briefly take the lead, showcasing the dynamic nature of the race. After an early penalty, Logano worked his way back into contention to ultimately battle for the lead. During stage 2 Bell had taken the lead following pit stops to begin Stage 2, but Logano roared through the field on the option tire to overtake him. But, in the waning laps of the segment, Loganos softer tire finally began to wear out, and Bell was able to retake the lead and win the stage.
The race was also marred by a significant multi-car crash on Lap 99, following a restart. A four-wide battle in Turn 2 resulted in Ty Gibbs drifting up the track, triggering a chain reaction of collisions. The incident involved several cars and forced Riley Herbst, Carson Hocevar, Chase Briscoe, Justin Haley, Brad Keselowski, Cole Custer, and Shane Van Gisbergen to retire from the race. Multiple other drivers including Michael McDowell and Noah Gragson, also had their races compromised by the wreck.
Earlier in the race, William Byron dominated Stage 1, leading all but five laps, which were led by Logano. However, Logano’s penalty for going below the yellow line on a restart relegated him to the back of the field. Ryan Preece made a remarkable gain of 30 positions using the option tire during this stage. Throughout the 312-lap race, all drivers were required to use the option tires at least once.
The Shriners Childrens 500 at Phoenix Raceway served as a testament to Christopher Bell’s exceptional skill and the capabilities of his JGR team. His three consecutive wins have solidified his position as a top contender in the NASCAR Cup Series, raising expectations for the remainder of the season. With momentum on his side, Bell is well-positioned to continue his pursuit of a championship title. The competition remains fierce, but Bell’s early dominance has undoubtedly set the tone for an exciting and competitive 2025 season.
