Christopher Bell is looking for to change into the primary particular person since 2007 to win 4 consecutive NASCAR Cup Sequence races, and he just lately spoke with the final driver to efficiently accomplish the spectacular feat – seven-time Cup Sequence champion Jimmie Johnson.
“It’s nonetheless the best factor on this planet to me that I’ve Jimmie Johnson in my cellphone,” mentioned Bell throughout a media availability over the weekend. “He has talked to me. He has despatched me a textual content message after each win up to now. I’m nonetheless shocked each time I see his identify pop up. I respect the heck out of him. It’s an honor to know that he thinks of me after the race to ship a textual content message. That’s so cool. We now have related, sure.”
Bell’s mission to affix an unique membership that options simply eight drivers for the reason that fashionable period of the game started in 1972 shall be extraordinarily tough, and it is getting more durable by the day. Bell certified thirteenth however will truly begin from the rear of the 36-car discipline on account of unapproved changes (throttle physique change). How important might that be in impacting his efforts on Sunday?
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photograph by: Chris Graythen – Getty Pictures
“We now have come to be taught – not less than from my group – qualifying and racing are form of two separate issues,” mentioned Bell (earlier than being despatched to the again of the grid). “The way you qualify doesn’t essentially dictate how you will run within the race. The massive factor about qualifying is that pit stall choice. We’ve been actually lucky to finish up with good pit stalls that we don’t get locked in – yeah, mainly I don’t get blocked in and must lose observe place each time I’m attempting to get out.
”We’ve gotten away with our poor qualifying efforts, up to now, however yeah, definitely, we wish to deal with qualifying, however we’ve discovered, the place we qualify doesn’t imply nothing for a way we’re going to run in the course of the race. Qualifying at these intermediates has been our energy. We anticipate to qualify and follow lots higher right here than what we’ve completed the final couple of weeks.”
Bell’s No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota shall be in stall No. 38 with John-Hunter Nemechek within the stall proper behind him and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. within the stall straight forward of him.
A historic achievement
The 30-year-old driver is definitely occupied with the large alternative that stands earlier than him, telling the assembled media at Las Vegas Motor Speedway that he’s “enthusiastic about it,” however admits “nothing that has occurred the final three weeks means something for this week.”
Talking extra on what it will imply, Bell mentioned, “it’s particular. That’s the cliché reply, however it’s one thing I take a whole lot of delight in. It’s loopy to consider. Simply the time I’ve been within the Cup Sequence, it appears like a very long time, however then you definitely have a look at stuff like that, and I’m nonetheless fairly younger in my profession. I’m simply attempting to soak all of it in and benefit from the second. It’s a dream come true to be in comparison with or be in the identical class with guys that I’m having an opportunity to tie their stats or going with their stats. I assume time will inform the way it all seems, however it’s positively an honor – win or lose – to be in that dialog.”
All three of his wins up to now this 12 months have come on completely different observe sorts and Vegas is one other observe in contrast to the three that preceded it. Bell is 0-10 at LVMS, however that features two runner-up finishes, so the chances definitely aren’t fully in opposition to him.
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photograph by: Jonathan Bachman – Getty Pictures
Larson: “It would not trouble me”
The final driver to return this near the four-peat was Kyle Larson, who received three consecutive races on two separate events in the course of the 2021 season. In a kind of, a blown tire coming into the ultimate nook at Pocono is the one factor that denied him 4. And as Larson factors out, if you wish to depend the All-Star Race, he did win 4 races in succession that 12 months.
“So, I feel having lived by way of it alone, I can respect it much more and it would not trouble me, you already know, once I see any individual else having success like that,” mentioned Larson. “So, if he wins this weekend, perhaps it is like – all proper, that is getting annoying. However I feel for me, as a competitor and a fan, I feel it is actually neat as a result of this sport is so robust, particularly within the Subsequent Gen period. So, I respect it greater than something presently.
“But when it retains happening too lengthy, it will get annoying.”
Watch: Christopher Bell’s win streak ‘would not trouble’ rival Kyle Larson
Hendrick Motorsports and Workforce Penske have mixed to win the final six Cup races at Las Vegas and the final JGR driver to win there was Denny Hamlin in the course of the 2021 season. Nevertheless, Bell did lead essentially the most laps of any driver right here final fall earlier than dropping in a fuel-mileage race.
“I’m optimistic on how we’re going to carry out, as a result of this has been a powerful observe for us up to now, however I’m simply attempting very arduous to not get forward of myself and perceive it’s a new week,” famous Bell. “It’s a unique race, and everybody goes to be bringing their finest stuff to attempt to beat me. I’m optimistic about how we’re going to carry out, however I do know it’s a tall process.”
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Nick DeGroot
NASCAR Cup
Christopher Bell
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