Christopher Bell returned to the playoffs by winning Sunday's race at Phoenix Raceway.
Bell won the second stage, recording his seventh career Cup win after leading 50 laps at the one-mile Arizona track. All seven of his Cup wins have come on different courses.
Chris Buescher took second place. Ty Gibbs, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Ross Chastain, Martin Truex Jr., Michael McDowell, Chase Brisco and Tyler Reddick rounded out the top 10.
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“You don't get cars like that very often,” Bell told Fox Sports' Regan Smith after the race. “I'm very, very proud. I'm proud to be in this 20 car, this Reem Camry was amazing today. We have the ability to do races like this again and again. I feel like there is. I hope this is the first of many this year.”
Bell started the final stage from the back after a slow pit stop due to a lug nut problem on his right rear tire. He raced through the field and passed Truex on lap 271 to take the lead.
Bell led the final 41 laps, taking Toyota's first victory in the next-generation Phoenix.
This performance was significant considering Toyota drivers led just 15 laps combined in the first four Next Gen races held in Phoenix. Bell, Denny Hamlin, Truex, Gibbs and Reddick led 298 of the 312 laps.
Denny Hamlin said, “If you let off the gas more, it gives you a chance to catch up to the cars behind you.''
Who had a good race: Michael McDowell has one top-10 finish in his last 26 games with Phoenix. He scored points in Stage 1 and spent the final stage inside the top 10, finishing in 8th place. …Chris Buescher has two top-10 finishes in his career at Phoenix. He finished in second place. …Noah Gragson continued his strong start to the season, scoring points in Stage 2 and finishing 12th. … Gibbs finished third, marking his second consecutive top-5 finish and third consecutive top-10 finish.
Who had a bad race: Austin Dillon and Austin Cindric sustained significant damage when Derek Krause spun on lap six, and Cindric was unable to continue. Dillon has been involved in crashes in the first 10 laps of three races this season. …Kyle Busch struggled with handling and spun on lap 197. He finished 22nd…Joey Logano spent the first two stages outside the top 20. He crashed early in the final stage when he was hit from behind by John Hunter Nemechek. Logano finished 34th, marking the third time he has finished 28th or worse in his first four races. … All four Hendrick Motorsports drivers were stuck in the middle of the pack due to pit strategy in the final stage and finished outside the top 10.
The Cup season continues on Sunday, March 17 at Bristol Motor Speedway (3:30 p.m. ET on FOX).
