RICHMOND, Va. — Christopher Bell is on the verge of making some dubious history.
Bell has finished second seven times during this NASCAR Cup Series campaign. That mark ties the Joe Gibbs Racing driver with Harry Gant (1981) for the most runnerup finishes in a season during which a driver did not win a race.
Bell has shown the disappointment of being a bridesmaid throughout the season, but acknowledged the efforts have played a key role in his contention for the championship as NASCAR returns to the Chase format this year.
Bell is sixth in the standings with three races remaining in the regular season.
“Yeah, I mean, certainly all of the second-place finishes – they’re trying and, in the moment, it really kind of feels like just a kick to the gut,” the 31-year-old driver said. “But then whenever Monday, Tuesday rolls around, you’re like, ah, it was a pretty darn good day. So, ultimately, the results that we’ve gotten have meant a lot more this year than what they have in my entire Cup career with the format change. So, it’s been nice to stack some good results together and we’re performing really well right now. I certainly feel like we’re in the mix.”
Bell believes with the Chase format, a second-place finish is worth more than it was a year ago.
“I mean, going back to what I just said earlier, these results have – they mean more today in this year than they have for the previous format, my entire Cup career and NASCAR career for that matter,” Bell said. “I mean, the point standings and where you’re running at in points is super important, but the entire previous championship format was very much win or bust. I think that mentality is still engraved in at least my mind and probably most of the industry’s mind, but in all reality, it’s not win or bust anymore.
“You have to have good, consistent, strong runs every single week and that’s what we’re doing. Unfortunately, we haven’t got to victory lane, but we’ve we have been running really well.”
Bell hopes to get off the schneid and chart his first victory of the season Saturday night at Richmond Raceway.
“I enjoy Richmond. Obviously, have a great resume in the O’Reilly Series cars here, and still looking for that first win of the year and at Richmond,” he said. “Maybe it’ll happen this weekend.”
