Short-run deficit hinders Christopher Bell's chances at Iowa
06/17/2024 12:03 AM
NEWTON, Iowa — By most metrics, Christopher Bell entered the inaugural Cup Series weekend at Iowa Speedway among the favorites for the victory. His recent track record at the .875-mile track and being one of three drivers to participate in a Goodyear tire test is nothing to look past.
Bell shot to the top of the scoring pylon during the 50-minute practice session on Friday. Not much longer, the No. 20 Toyota was in the wall having blown a right-front tire. The damage was severe enough to unload the backup car.
“We unloaded with a lot of hope that we were going to be the car to beat this weekend,” Adam Stevens, crew chief of the No. 20 car, said. “We showed our speed in practice and we didn‘t have the balance perfect. We had work to do and we were going to get better from there and blew that tire unexpectedly. We weren‘t thinking we were on edge on the right fronts at all based on our tire test — and we were. Killed that car and had to thrash to get the backup car ready.”
The No. 20 team worked until the wee hours of Saturday morning to piece the backup car together for qualifying. Getting a solid pit-stall selection was of the utmost importance for the race. Bell slotted in 10th during qualifying.
During the pace laps, Bell was one of two cars to drop to the rear due to backup cars, joining Austin Cindric, who also blew a tire during practice. Steadily, the No. 20 car sliced through the field, reaching 17th by the end of the opening stage.
Over a lengthy 96-lap run during the second stage, Bell used his long-run speed to his advantage. He thought he was below average on newer tires, almost always losing valuable track position. When green-flag pit stops began, he raced up to fourth position when the three leaders — Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson — peeled off to pit road. Stevens kept Bell out on the track until Lap 180, but Daniel Hemric brought out the caution three laps later. Bell was trapped a lap down.
“We got bit by that caution during the green flag cycle and that‘s what took us out of contention today,” Stevens said bluntly.
Bell used the long run to his advantage once more during the final stage. He drove from 18th position and continuously gained chunks of ground. It wasn’t enough, however, and he took the checkered flag in fourth position.
“A top five is a good day,” he said. “Obviously, we had pace to be a lot better than that, so that‘s why I‘m sitting here mixing emotions. Great effort, and if we keep bringing cars like that, hopefully it will be our day one of these times.”
The top-five finish is the latest run in the No. 20 team’s recent surge. Including his first win in a crown jewel race at the Coca-Cola 600, Bell has four straight top-10 finishes, matching his longest streak of the season.
But Bell if left wondering what could have been.
“It was a rocketship on the long run,” he said. “Everything I needed. I don‘t know how much faster I was, but I couldn‘t see the leaders and then all of a sudden, I could see them later on.”
Stevens wasn’t certain why the No. 20 car struggled on cold tires and is hoping to diagnose why the setup lacked on the first part of the run.
With the fourth-place finish, Bell jumped one position in the regular season championship standings and is tied for eighth with Brad Keselowski.
