NASCAR
Christopher Bell Takes Second 2024 Victory in Abbreviated Coca-Cola 600
CONCORD, N.C. – The 65th running of the Coca-Cola 600 unfortunately became the Coke 374. Following a race-high 90 laps led, Christopher Bell was awarded the win after rain rolled in. Bell’s team ends a recent string of poor results with this crown jewel win. Bell’s chances at another Championship 4 berth also took a big step forward. Team No. 20 is now among the few with multiple race wins in 2024.
William Byron won Stage 1, the first of the year for the three-time race winner. Christopher Bell took Stage 2, taking this win under caution. The only major incident across either opening Stage was a blown tire for defending Coke 600 winner Ryan Blaney.
Midway through Stage 3, lightning halted the race and rain then rolled in. As the skies opened up, Kyle Larson finally arrived fresh off his Indy 500 debut. After placing 18th at Indianapolis, Larson was ready to take over the Hendrick No. 5 from substitute driver Justin Allgaier.
The race would be unable to resume, prematurely handing the win to Christopher Bell. The victim of a horrendous bad luck stretch since his Phoenix win, Bell is the fourth multi-win driver of 2024.
“Man it feels so good,” Bell said. “To win or lose, just to have a great race to go off of. A race that we led laps, we were able to pass cars. We lost the lead at times and were able to drive back to it. Had great pit stops, my pit crew just showed up, so it’s a team effort. It was amazing to have a good race. Hopefully this is something we can build on and get back to being more consistent.”
Behind Bell, Brad Keselowski, William Byron, Tyler Reddick, and Denny Hamlin were the top-five. Ty Gibbs, Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry rounded out the top-five.
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to action Sunday from Worldwide Technology Raceway at Gateway. The Enjoy Illinois 300 goes green Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Logan Riely/Getty Images
