{"id":20757,"date":"2018-07-28T20:35:57","date_gmt":"2018-07-29T01:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=20757"},"modified":"2018-07-29T14:37:15","modified_gmt":"2018-07-29T19:37:15","slug":"three-in-a-row-for-christopher-bell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/07\/28\/three-in-a-row-for-christopher-bell\/","title":{"rendered":"Three in a row for Christopher Bell"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Ruud Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 presented by The Rasmussen Group at Iowa Speedway on July 28, 2018 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

NEWTON, Iowa \u2014 How long had it been since a non-Monster Energy Cup regular triumphed in three straight Xfinity Series races?<\/p>\n

\"\"

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Ruud Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 presented by The Rasmussen Group at Iowa Speedway on July 28, 2018 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Even NASCAR star-turned-NBC Sports Network commentator Dale Earnhardt, Jr., didn\u2019t seem to know the answer when asked on-air \u2014 and he was the most recent driver to accomplish the feat in 1999.<\/p>\n

Until Saturday at Iowa Speedway.<\/p>\n

Christopher Bell somehow steered clear of a spate of potential disasters within the final 15 laps of the mostly-green U.S. Cellular 250, wheeling his No. 20 Ruud Toyota to Victory Lane for the third consecutive time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it\u2019s your day, it\u2019s your day,\u201d a smiling Bell said as he celebrated by his car. \u201cI\u2019ll take them any way<\/p>\n

Whew? Sure.<\/p>\n

Wild? Even more so.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Ruud Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 presented by The Rasmussen Group at Iowa Speedway on July 28, 2018 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cOur Ruud Camry was really, really good,\u201d Bell said. \u201cI\u2019m just thankful we were able to get Ruud in Victory Lane. This is their first win. All these Camry\u2019s are made in Georgetown, Kentucky here in the United States, so it\u2019s special to win for these guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bell somehow kept his car intact after Chase Briscoe spun in front of him with 14 to go. The 23-year-old Joe Gibbs racing rookie\u2019s car sustained some damage, but he managed to maintain the lead after the restart \u2014 until Garrett Smithley spun out to draw another caution flag. Then the inexplicable occurred. On the following restart, Justin Allgaier \u2014 who won the June race at Iowa \u2014 boldly drove the high groove to the lead. Bell was shuffled back to fourth during a four-wide restart that completed one lap before contact between Matt Tifft and Max Tullman caused the red flag to wave.<\/p>\n

Bell was momentarily stunned. How\u2019d it happen?<\/p>\n

\"\"

Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Ruud Toyota, poses with the winner’s sticker Victory Lane after the NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 presented by The Rasmussen Group at Iowa Speedway on July 28, 2018 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he told NBC Sports during the red flag. \u201cI really don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

But it would be Allgaier shaking his head after Bell found a way to reverse his fortunes on the final restart. He also said he felt Bell didn\u2019t race him as clean as he\u2019s accustomed to at the end.  \u201cIt\u2019s just disappointing to get run over,\u201d said Allgaier, who settled for second. \u201cI know that Christopher definitely had the best car. \u2026 It\u2019s a good day at Iowa. 1-2 in the two races here. I know social media\u2019s going to blow up. They\u2019re going to hate me for being mad at Christopher, but it is what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bell said his last-gasp restart maneuver past Allgaier had been executed according to plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, I haven\u2019t seen it so I don\u2019t know, but the spotter was yelling clear and if I\u2019m clear then it was clean,\u201d Bell said.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Cole Custer, driver of the #00 Haas Automation Ford, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Xfinity Series U.S. Cellular 250 presented by The Rasmussen Group at Iowa Speedway on July 28, 2018 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Matt Sullivan\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Bell\u2019s third win in as many weeks shuffled up spots atop the point standings.<\/p>\n

He now leads Elliott Sadler by 16 points, 702 to 686. Cole Custer \u2014 who led 104 laps before car troubles hit later in the race \u2014 is third with 684 points and Daniel Hemric ranks fourth, a mere five points behind Custer, who finished ninth in Saturday\u2019s race.<\/p>\n

Kyle Benjamin, Ross Chastain and John Hunter Nemechek completed Saturday\u2019s top-five.<\/p>\n

Sadler, Saturday\u2019s pole-sitter, led most of the first stage and finished sixth.<\/p>\n

Bell led 94 laps and shrugged off disappointment over a second-place June finish at Iowa.<\/p>\n

Now the former dirt open-wheel racer\u2019s accomplished something no series regular has done in this millennium.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pretty cool, man,\u201d Bell said. \u201cI\u2019m just kind of speechless. These races are really hard to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

Post-race Interviews:<\/h3>\n

Christopher Bell, Jason Ratcliff and Steve de Souza – <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Justin Allgaier and Kyle Benjamin – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JustinAllgaierKyleBenjaminPost.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – U.S. Cellular 250 presented by The Rasmussen Group<\/p>\n

Iowa Speedway<\/p>\n

Newton, Iowa<\/p>\n

Saturday, July 28, 2018<\/p>\n

               1. (3) Christopher Bell #, Toyota, 257.<\/p>\n

               2. (7) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 257.<\/p>\n

               3. (4) Kyle Benjamin, Toyota, 257.<\/p>\n

               4. (18) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 257.<\/p>\n

               5. (11) John Hunter Nemechek, Chevrolet, 257.<\/p>\n

               6. (1) Elliott Sadler, Chevrolet, 257.<\/p>\n

               7. (19) Ryan Reed, Ford, 257.<\/p>\n

               8. (14) Ryan Truex, Chevrolet, 257.<\/p>\n

               9. (2) Cole Custer, Ford, 257.<\/p>\n

               10. (12) Chase Briscoe, Ford, 257.<\/p>\n

               11. (10) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 257.<\/p>\n

               12. (9) Brandon Jones, Toyota, 257.<\/p>\n

               13. (8) Shane Lee, Chevrolet, 256.<\/p>\n

               14. (17) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 256.<\/p>\n

               15. (15) Casey Roderick, Chevrolet, 256.<\/p>\n

               16. (21) Alex Labbe #, Chevrolet, 255.<\/p>\n

               17. (22) Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 255.<\/p>\n

               18. (6) Austin Cindric #, Ford, 254.<\/p>\n

               19. (23) David Starr, Chevrolet, 253.<\/p>\n

               20. (13) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 253.<\/p>\n

               21. (25) Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, 253.<\/p>\n

               22. (5) Tyler Reddick #, Chevrolet, 252.<\/p>\n

               23. (27) Spencer Boyd #, Chevrolet, 252.<\/p>\n

               24. (31) Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 251.<\/p>\n

               25. (24) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, 250.<\/p>\n

               26. (16) Matt Tifft, Chevrolet, Accident, 249.<\/p>\n

               27. (28) Brandon Hightower, Chevrolet, 249.<\/p>\n

               28. (30) Ray Black II, Chevrolet, 248.<\/p>\n

               29. (34) Vinnie Miller #, Chevrolet, 247.<\/p>\n

               30. (26) Max Tullman(i), Ford, Accident, 245.<\/p>\n

               31. (36) Peter Shepherd III, Toyota, 242.<\/p>\n

               32. (35) Mike Harmon, Chevrolet, 241.<\/p>\n

               33. (37) Stan Mullis, Chevrolet, 236.<\/p>\n

               34. (20) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 206.<\/p>\n

               35. (32) Jeff Green, Chevrolet, Ignition, 140.<\/p>\n

               36. (40) Dexter Bean, Chevrolet, Vibration, 73.<\/p>\n

               37. (29) Chad Finchum #, Toyota, Brakes, 56.<\/p>\n

               38. (33) Morgan Shepherd, Chevrolet, Brakes, 46.<\/p>\n

               39. (39) Stephen Leicht, Chevrolet, Electrical, 36.<\/p>\n

               40. (38) Josh Bilicki #, Toyota, Engine, 2.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  97.772 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 18 Mins, 00 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.421 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  6 for 41 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  12 among 7 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   E. Sadler 1-26; C. Custer 27-67; E. Sadler 68-82; C. Custer 83-115; C. Bell # 116-123; C. Custer 124-153; C. Bell # 154-200; B. Jones 201; K. Benjamin 202-206; S. Lee 207-212; C. Bell # 213-249; J. Allgaier 250-255; C. Bell # 256-257.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  C. Custer 3 times for 104 laps; C. Bell # 4 times for 94 laps; E. Sadler 2 times for 41 laps; S. Lee 1 time for 6 laps; J. Allgaier 1 time for 6 laps; K. Benjamin 1 time for 5 laps; B. Jones 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 00,1,20,22,18,7,19,42,21,3<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 20,00,7,19,22,42,18,1,16,21<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Robert Gray, NASCAR Wire Service NEWTON, Iowa \u2014 How long had it been since a non-Monster Energy Cup regular triumphed in three straight Xfinity Series races? Even NASCAR star-turned-NBC Sports Network commentator Dale Earnhardt, Jr., didn\u2019t seem to know the answer when asked on-air \u2014 and he was the most recent driver to accomplish the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":20764,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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}},"categories":[11],"tags":[451,456,16],"class_list":["post-20757","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\/2018\/07\/Christopher-Bell-jube-NASCAR-Xfinity-Iowa-2-7282018-e1532892610867.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-5oN","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20757"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20772,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20757\/revisions\/20772"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}