Christopher Bell seized a critical victory in the NASCAR Cup Series’ first Playoff elimination race at Bristol, Tennessee last week, setting the stage for him and the Joe Gibbs Racing team as the NASCAR calendar shifts to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The momentum from his dramatic late-race pass is poised to drive Bell’s aspirations in the Mobil 1 301, making the Christopher Bell NASCAR Playoff momentum a central storyline as the Playoff Round of 12 commences in Loudon, N.H.
Bell’s Mastery at New Hampshire Raises Team Hopes
Bell has become a formidable competitor at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, having claimed two of the last three NASCAR Cup Series races at this storied oval. His prowess extends to other NASCAR series as well, with a 2017 Truck Series triumph and a recent Xfinity Series win underlining his ability at the track. Entering this weekend, Bell stands as the defending winner across all three major NASCAR national series at New Hampshire, underscoring his dominance and increasing expectations for both himself and Joe Gibbs Racing.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Playoff Surge and Toyota’s Dominance
This year, the Joe Gibbs Racing team established a historic precedent by sweeping all three initial Playoff races—a feat achieved through the collective performances of Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Denny Hamlin. Their success has been fueled by the performance of their Toyotas, as evidenced by their commanding presence at New Hampshire in the Next Gen car era—where the manufacturer has won every race, all six stages, and led a vast majority of laps.
Toyota’s superiority continued into the 2024 Playoff races, capturing 78 percent of all laps. This collective excellence has not gone unnoticed as the series heads into a venue where Toyota has recently been untouchable, further strengthening Bell’s and his teammates’ positions.
Playoff Standings Intensify at Loudon
With the field narrowed for the Round of 12, the Playoff points have reset. Denny Hamlin now leads by two points over Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron and Kyle Larson, while Bell sits just behind his teammate in fourth place. Other standout contenders include Penske’s Ryan Blaney, Briscoe, Chase Elliott, and Bubba Wallace, who currently holds the last Playoff spot ahead of Penske’s Austin Cindric. Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, and Tyler Reddick remain just below the cutoff, intensifying the competition for advancement.
Veteran Winners Face New Playoff Challenges
Among the twelve drivers advancing, only a select few have celebrated multiple victories at New Hampshire: Hamlin leads active Playoff drivers with three wins, while Logano and Bell have two each. The broader pool includes active drivers like Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski, winners in prior years but now racing from behind in points this round.
Drivers Reflect on Recent Form and Track Challenges
Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, and Ross Chastain are among those vying to stay competitive with the frontrunning Toyotas. Ryan Blaney, last year’s Cup Series champion, has seen strong runs at New Hampshire, highlighting both the unpredictability and frustration of recent races.
I feel like New Hampshire has been one of those tracks to where we have run well and just not really finished where we deserved,
said Team Penske’s Blaney, 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion.
I felt really good there last year. We were running up front before the rain. We were running second during the rain and got turned around there on one of the last restarts, but I think just trying to stay in the mix. The first part of it is trying to have a car that runs up towards the front. I am happy that New Hampshire has gotten a Playoff race.
Bell Emphasizes Team Confidence Amid Toyota Strength
Bell believes the current form of his car and the overall Toyota group provides a strong advantage heading further into the Playoffs.
I think we’re every bit as capable as any of the other 12 out there. It’s a good racetrack for us as a group and we know what it takes to be good there, and it seems like our cars are really good. I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.
– Christopher Bell, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
It’s just all the Toyotas are super-fast right now,
Bell continued, expressing his satisfaction with the current performance edge.
But we’ve got a long way to go to get to Phoenix and it’s going to be a hard road, and everybody knows that.
– Christopher Bell, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
Qualifying Set to Play Crucial Role
Qualifying continues to be crucial for Playoff success. Practice and the Busch Light Pole Qualifying session will take place on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, with Chase Elliott holding last year’s pole honors. Strong qualifying runs have translated into race dominance, as leaders of the most laps have won five of the last seven Cup Series races. As Chevrolet teams look for their first Playoff breakthrough this year, all eyes are on how the power dynamic at New Hampshire might shift—or remain firmly in Toyota’s grip.
What’s on the Horizon for the Playoff Field?
This Playoff round marks New Hampshire’s first time hosting since 2017, heightening expectations for drama and high stakes among the twelve contenders. With teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, and 23XI Racing all pushing for advancement amidst Toyota’s run of superiority, the Mobil 1 301 stands as a pivotal point for the championship narrative. Bell’s recent surge, coupled with Joe Gibbs Racing’s overall momentum, sets a tense and competitive stage as the series heads deeper into the Playoff calendar.
