NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. – Christopher Bell celebrated his first NASCAR All-Star Race victory after passing Joey Logano in the closing laps on Sunday.
Bell chased down and passed Logano following the final restart on lap 223 to cash in on the million-dollar prize. The 250-lap race was action-packed, featured a record 15 lead changes amongst eight drivers, and saw emotions run high after the checkered flag.
“That, right there, is absolutely incredible,” Bell said as he celebrated in front of a sold-out crowd. Bell described North Wilkesboro as the “best short track” on the series schedule.
Bell tracked Logano down from sixth following a two-tire pit stop where the crew got him out first. Bell explained how NASCAR is humbling because the driver plays a small role in success.
“I'm the guy that gets to sit up here and talk to you and take pictures,” Bell said. “But without (the team), I'm nobody, and I owe it all to these guys.”
The racing grove at North Wilkesboro widened out over the weekend and allowed drivers various racing options. However, the new “Promoter’s Caution” set the stage for the finish.
President and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Marcus Smith, had the ability to throw a caution before lap 220. Smith chose to do so on lap 217, eliminating Logano’s then half-second lead.
“I'm pissed off right now,” Logano said after Smith dispatched 1996 All-Star winner Michael Waltrip to wave the yellow flag. “Me and Marcus Smith aren't seeing eye to eye right now.”
Logano led a race-high 139 laps and had a shot to defend his 2024 All-Star victory, but fresh tires proved the winning play. Bell quickly weaved from sixth to second on the next restart.
“I thought maybe we can hold them off,” Logano said. “But (Bell) had a good enough restart to clear too many of them too fast, and I could get away in time.”
On lap 241, Bell dove to the inside of Logano entering turn one, and they made contact. They battled alongside one another down the backstretch before Bell muscled his way to the lead.
“I just couldn't get back to him,” Logano said. “After you lead so many laps and the car’s so fast and you don't win, it hurts quite a bit.”
Next weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series coverage shifts to Amazon Prime for the first time. The five-race exclusive streaming deal begins on Memorial Day weekend with the Coca-Cola 600.
The best stock car drivers in the world are set to tackle 400 laps of action around Charlotte Motor Speedway. NASCAR's longest race starts Sunday, May 25 at 6 p.m. ET, streaming only on Prime.