RACE: Penzoil 400
TRACK: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
START: 22nd
FINISH: 33rd
LAPS: 267

Bell Finishes 33rd at Vegas Following Mid-Race Spin

Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1-80)

• Christopher Bell lined up 22nd for the Pennzoil 400 after rain washed out qualifying on Saturday, which resulted in the field being set based off 2019 owner’s points. Bell had to forfeit his starting position and drop to the tail end of the field to start the race after NASCAR did not approve of something on the No. 95 Camry in technical inspection.
• Despite reporting to his team that the car was loose, Bell methodically worked his way forward through the field and by the competition caution on lap 25 had worked his way up to 23rd.
• Under the caution Bell came down pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment.
• The field resumed racing on lap 30 and Bell still experienced a loose handling condition, but he held on to close out the first stage 21st.
• At the stage break Bell came down pit road for four tires, fuel, an air pressure adjustment and to remove packer from both front shocks. The packer adjustment took a little extra time on pit road, but the No. 95 team hoped the adjustment would help with handling.

Stage 2 Recap (Laps 87-160)

• Christopher Bell took the green for stage two 26th and still struggled with loose handling in his Camry. On lap 110 Bell was tagged from behind and almost spun out on the track. Bell made a miraculous save and despite being turned sideways, straightened out his car and continued racing.
• After a round of green flag pit stops and a few more small handing adjustments, the No. 95 still needed more rear security on entry.
• Before the team had another chance to make adjustments, Bell got extremely loose on track and made contact with the wall.
• The accident happened just before stage two ended and Bell headed down pit road for repairs.

Stage 3 Recap (Laps 167-267)

• Bell resumed racing in the final stage five laps down to the field after repairs were made on pit road to his No. 95 Rheem Camry.
• The handling shifted to tight after repairs were made, but Bell continued to log laps around the 1.5-mile oval.
• Bell took the “wave around” to get one lap back with a late race caution.
• Bell ultimately crossed the finish line 33rd, 10 laps down to the leader.

Up Next: The NASCAR Cup Series continues the west coast swing with a trip to Auto Club Speedway for the Auto Club 400 on Sunday, March 1, 2020.