{"id":26907,"date":"2019-06-16T21:35:58","date_gmt":"2019-06-17T02:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=26907"},"modified":"2019-06-23T17:39:35","modified_gmt":"2019-06-23T22:39:35","slug":"christopher-bell-wins-in-dominant-fashion-in-iowa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2019\/06\/16\/christopher-bell-wins-in-dominant-fashion-in-iowa\/","title":{"rendered":"Christopher Bell wins in dominant fashion in Iowa"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Ruud Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series CircuitCity.com 250 Presented by Tamron at Iowa Speedway on June 16, 2019 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Robert Gray, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

NEWTON, Iowa \u2014 Christopher Bell<\/strong> knows a lot about long, dominant runs.<\/p>\n

The seasoned open-wheel racer\u2019s won the last three Chili Bowl Nationals in his native, Oklahoma \u2014 and Sunday led an astounding 186 laps of Sunday\u2019s CircuitCity.com 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series<\/a> race while cruising to a commanding victory at Iowa Speedway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Ruud Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series CircuitCity.com 250 Presented by Tamron at Iowa Speedway on June 16, 2019 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

The driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing\/Ruud Toyota pulled away from Cole Custer on the final restart with 10 laps to go and powered to his series-leading fourth victory of the season on Father\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n

\u201cMan, I got to win at Dover on Mother\u2019s Day weekend, or, I guess it was the week before with me mom there,\u201d said Bell, who has won five of the past eight short track races in the series. \u201cNow I just won on Father\u2019s Day with my dad here with my dad here, so it was pretty special.<\/p>\n

Custer settled for second and adopted a no-hard-feelings approach to the slight contact from Bell that preceded losing his brief late lead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it was racing,\u201d said Custer, who led the first 54 laps before Bell seized near-total control. \u201cI think every driver will agree that this place puts on the best racing that we go to, so it was fun. Christopher and them had the best car all day. I feel like we caught up to them a good amount. We just need a little more time to work on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Ruud Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series CircuitCity.com 250 Presented by Tamron at Iowa Speedway on June 16, 2019 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Justin Allgaier \u2014 who edged Bell in this race a year ago \u2014 took third. Harrison Burton and Zane Smith rounded out the top five.<\/p>\n

Tyler Reddick, who finished 15th after battling early car trouble, saw his points lead over Bell shaved from 89 to 51.<\/p>\n

Bell\u2019s won two straight races at Iowa and has powered to Victory Lane in five of the past eight short track events.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Ruud Supra was outstanding,\u201d Bell said. \u201cHopefully we can continue to bring these type of race cars to the race track.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bell won all three stages. He led 160 consecutive laps at one point, but Custer narrowly edged him in the race off pit road with 28 laps to go. That gave Custer the favored line up high, but Bell eventually found enough grip on the bottom to regain the lead six laps later.<\/p>\n

Still, he couldn\u2019t fully breathe easy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Ruud Toyota, races during the NASCAR Xfinity Series CircuitCity.com 250 Presented by Tamron at Iowa Speedway on June 16, 2019 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

The race\u2019s final caution flag flew after Chad Finchum\u2019s No. 42 car dinged the wall in Turn 2.<\/p>\n

Custer gamely tried to mount a challenge on the low side, but Bell\u2019s car again proved to be too fast and nimble to be overtaken.<\/p>\n

Custer posted his eighth top-five finish of the season. Both he and Reddick \u2014 who along with Bell make up the series\u2019 so-called \u201cBig Three\u201d in 2019 \u2014 own three wins each this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re close,\u201d Custer said. \u201cWe\u2019re just gonna come back better next time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bell\u2019s second straight series victory at Iowa ended a streak in which there had been nine different winners in a row at the 7\/8-mile track.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Ruud Toyota, poses with the winner’s sticker after the NASCAR Xfinity Series CircuitCity.com 250 Presented by Tamron at Iowa Speedway on June 16, 2019 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

And other than Custer, no one stood a chance at preventing Bell\u2019s repeat triumph in the heartland.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think our potential is really high,\u201d Bell said. \u201cOur big track stuff, I feel like we still need to gain on a little bit and obviously we\u2019re working hard to do that. This was a much-needed win.\u201d<\/p>\n

But what\u2019s the next step?<\/p>\n

Bell was asked about whether he deserves a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ride, but he wouldn\u2019t bite.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dream was to make a living driving a race car,\u201d Bell said. \u201cAnd I\u2019ve been able to do that for numerous years now. So if I\u2019m truck racing, sprint car racing, midget racing, I\u2019m already fulfilling my dream. So whether I\u2019m running Xfinity or Cup, I\u2019m living my dream right now, so I\u2019ll be happy.” <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NXS_Iowa1_061619.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – 9th Annual CircuitCity.com 250 presented by Tamron<\/b><\/p>\n

Iowa Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Newton, Iowa<\/b><\/p>\n

Sunday, June 16, 2019<\/b><\/p>\n

               1. (2)  Christopher Bell, Toyota, 250.<\/p>\n

               2. (1)  Cole Custer, Ford, 250.<\/p>\n

               3. (14)  Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 250.<\/p>\n

               4. (10)  Harrison Burton(i), Toyota, 250.<\/p>\n

               5. (3)  Zane Smith, Chevrolet, 250.<\/p>\n

               6. (4)  Noah Gragson #, Chevrolet, 250.<\/p>\n

               7. (9)  Chase Briscoe #, Ford, 250.<\/p>\n

               8. (6)  John Hunter Nemechek #, Chevrolet, 250.<\/p>\n

               9. (12)  Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 250.<\/p>\n

               10. (7)  Austin Cindric, Ford, 250.<\/p>\n

               11. (11)  Brandon Jones, Toyota, 250.<\/p>\n

               12. (13)  Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 250.<\/p>\n

               13. (8)  Justin Haley #, Chevrolet, 250.<\/p>\n

               14. (18)  Gray Gaulding, Chevrolet, 250.<\/p>\n

               15. (5)  Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet, 249.<\/p>\n

               16. (19)  Ray Black II, Chevrolet, 249.<\/p>\n

               17. (23)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 249.<\/p>\n

               18. (17)  Shane Lee, Toyota, 248.<\/p>\n

               19. (21)  Joe Graf Jr., Chevrolet, 247.<\/p>\n

               20. (33)  Tyler Matthews, Chevrolet, 247.<\/p>\n

               21. (20)  Chad Finchum, Toyota, 246.<\/p>\n

               22. (32)  Ryan Repko, Chevrolet, 245.<\/p>\n

               23. (28)  Ryan Ellis, Toyota, 244.<\/p>\n

               24. (27)  Ronnie Bassett Jr., Chevrolet, 244.<\/p>\n

               25. (22)  Stephen Leicht, Chevrolet, Brakes, 204.<\/p>\n

               26. (26)  Matt Mills, Chevrolet, Electrical, 123.<\/p>\n

               27. (34)  Mike Harmon, Chevrolet, Brakes, 120.<\/p>\n

               28. (37)  Stan Mullis, Toyota, Power Steering, 109.<\/p>\n

               29. (25)  Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, Hub, 106.<\/p>\n

               30. (16)  Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, Fuel Pressure, 78.<\/p>\n

               31. (15)  Brandon Brown #, Chevrolet, Engine, 76.<\/p>\n

               32. (31)  Vinnie Miller, Chevrolet, Accident, 48.<\/p>\n

               33. (30)  Joey Gase, Toyota, Accident, 46.<\/p>\n

               34. (24)  David Starr, Chevrolet, Engine, 30.<\/p>\n

               35. (29)  Morgan Shepherd, Chevrolet, Brakes, 23.<\/p>\n

               36. (38)  Timmy Hill, Toyota, Electrical, 21.<\/p>\n

               37. (35)  Jeff Green, Chevrolet, Electrical, 16.<\/p>\n

               38. (36)  Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet, Electrical, 10.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  94.402 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 19 Mins, 2 Secs. Margin of Victory:  1.756 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  7 for 48 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  5 among 3 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   C. Custer 1-51;J. Haley # 52-56;C. Custer 57-58;C. Bell 59-218;C. Custer 219-224;C. Bell 225-250.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Christopher Bell 2 times for 186 laps; Cole Custer 3 times for 59 laps; Justin Haley # 1 time for 5 laps.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 00,1,11,18,20,22,23,7,8,9<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 00,1,11,18,19,20,22,23,7,8<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Robert Gray, NASCAR Wire Service NEWTON, Iowa \u2014 Christopher Bell knows a lot about long, dominant runs. The seasoned open-wheel racer\u2019s won the last three Chili Bowl Nationals in his native, Oklahoma \u2014 and Sunday led an astounding 186 laps of Sunday\u2019s CircuitCity.com 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race while cruising to a commanding […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":26910,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[451,456,16],"class_list":["post-26907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-christopher-bell","tag-iowa-speedway","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/NXS_Iowa_VL_061619-e1561329057125.jpg?fit=640%2C427","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-6ZZ","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26907","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26907"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26907\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26919,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26907\/revisions\/26919"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26907"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}