RACE: Foxwoods Resort Casino 301
TRACK: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
START: 35th
FINISH: 28th
LAPS: 301 laps

Bell Overcomes Two Flat Tires to Finish 28th at Loudon

Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1-75)

• Christopher Bell started 35th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway based on a random draw for the starting lineup.
• The No. 95 Rheem-Watts Toyota Camry fired off on the free side and Bell described the handling as unpredictable. Bell was able to pit under caution on lap 17 for four tires and a wedge adjustment.
• The field had a 10-lap green flag run to the scheduled competition caution.
• Bell restarted 33rd and raced his way up to 15th by the competition caution.
• A caution on lap 63 gave the team another opportunity to pit for adjustments. Crew chief
• Jason Ratcliff brought Bell down pit road for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment.

Bell restarted 18th with eight laps left in stage one and drove his way up to fourth to finish the first 75-lap stage.

Stage 2 Recap (Laps 83-185)

• Bell started fourth and finished 30th in stage two.
• Bell stayed out at the stage break and started stage two fourth.
• A few laps into stage two the caution was out for rain and Bell reported back to his team that rear grip was his limiting factor.
• While running fifth, Bell pitted under the caution for rain and received four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment.
• Bell restarted 12th and a few laps later he was back up to fifth and continued to maintain the track position as stage two continued.
• While running sixth on lap 171 the right-rear tire blew and caused Bell to spin, bringing out the caution.
• Bell was able to limp the car back to pit road without tearing up the fender and after two pit stops, he received chassis adjustments and four fresh tires.
• At the end of stage two Bell was in the “lucky dog” position and was able to get back on the lead lap to start the final stage at Loudon.

Stage 3 Recap (Laps 192-301)

• Bell started stage three 30th and crossed the finish line 28th.
• The No. 95 Rheem-Watts Toyota Camry started off pretty good but migrated to the tight side.
• Bell raced his way inside the top 10 and was running ninth when he came down pit road under caution on lap 214 for four tires, fuel, wedge and an air pressure adjustment.
• The car continued to migrate tight on the long run and on lap 249 the right-rear tire blew for the second time. Bell was able to make it to pit road for tires, but the race remained green and cost him laps to the field.
• Bell was able to continue and salvage a 28th-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Up Next: The NASCAR Cup Series will have a doubleheader weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The Firekeepers Casino 400 will be on Saturday, August 8th at 4.00 p.m. ET on NBCSN and the Consumers Energy 400 will run on Sunday, August 9th at 4:30 p.m. ET and will also be broadcast on NBCSN.