Christopher Bell was the first driver eliminated from the NASCAR Cup Series championship on Sunday after mechanical problems caused him to hit the wall early at Phoenix Raceway. Bell indicated the rotor broke on his No. 20 Toyota. Bell was in the championship final four for the second straight season.
Christopher Bell takes Turn 4 to start a NASCAR Cup Series Championship auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Avondale, Ariz. Christopher Bell is introduced before a NASCAR Cup Series Championship auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Avondale, Ariz. William Byron leads Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney as they take Turn 4 to start a NASCAR Cup Series Championship auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Avondale, Ariz.
Bell, in the championship final four for the second straight season, was running sixth when he complained about brake issues over his radio. On lap 109, his car abruptly shook, veered into the outside wall and fire could be seen around his right wheel.Bell was able to get the car back to pit road, but his afternoon was over. The 28-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing driver won two races this season.
“That’s the first time I’ve exploded a rotor in my career,” Bell said. “It stinks to not have the shot at the end of it. We were all four close.” Byron led 94 laps early in the race and started from the pole but nonchampionship contenders had taken control of the race as the second stage wound down. The Cup champion will be the highest finishing driver of the three remaining contenders.
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