“It’s been Too Damn Long!” Christopher Bell Over the Moon after 2026 Southern 500 Triumph

Coming into this Sunday’s race at Darlington Raceway, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell had one goal, end the winless streak that has been haunting him for over a year. Despite coming into the chase as the 6^th ranked driver many didn’t see him as one of the top-3 contenders for the championship, over not having a race win.

It feels like 8^th time is the charm for the No:20 Toyota driver, as he had finished P2 in seven races this season; that is seven heartbreaks only the best could handle. With the win he has now closed the gap to championship leader Denny Hamlin to just 12 points. Team Penske Racing’s Ryan Blaney is close, as he sist P3 with just a four-point deficit to the driver above him.

Bell’s fight for the race win was with the defending Cup champion Kyle Larson, who is similar predicament as the JGR racer as both were winless till last Saturday. The Hendrick Motorsports’ No:5 Chevy driver gave a strong fight till he lost the lead with eleven laps left. The TRD driver is really excited about winning the race and ending poor 33-race streak for good.

It’s been too damn long! It’s been a long time coming. … This is the ultimate driver’s track.

Christopher Bell said post-race.

Later in the same conversation, the TRD driver talked about the injury scare he had earlier in the season. Christopher Bell had wrist injury and thought his season was over considering lady luck didn’t have his back throughout the regular season. But the No:20 team persevered and is now in the perfect spot to dominate and potentially win the championship.

I thought my season was over. I thought I was going to be out a couple of weeks. I thought I was going to miss the Chase. We’re still in it, baby!

Christopher Bell added via The Athletic.

Christopher Bell’s teammate Denny Hamlin had a nightmare start to the chase

While Bell had a strong start to the chase, his teammate Denny Hamlin had a points nightmare. He came into the race as the No:1 seed with 25 points lead and after the race it shrink to 13, after the veteran finished the race P18.

He had a good start to the race, finishing P3 in the first two stages of the Southern 500 before things went south. The veteran was involved in a wreck, featuring Michael McDowell and that resulted in his toe link getting bent. He had to settle for a P18 finish, leaving him frustrated.

Yeah, it’s frustrating for sure. You know, those are the kind of incidents that I’ve avoided for the most part this year. It was avoidable, but it also was part of everybody fighting for their own finishing position.

Denny Hamlin said post-race.

The comments from the veteran are on point and shows how desperation for solid finish ruined the race for everyone involved on Sunday. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the star driver in the coming nine races of the season.

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