Bell happy with second at WGI, but still searching for more

Drivers locked into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs hope to build some momentum for the home stretch with a series of strong finishes in the closing weeks of the regular season.

For Christopher Bell, recent weeks have thrown a series of challenges in his face. Across the past six races, entering Sunday’s road course run at Watkins Glen International, Bell had had four mediocre finishes – 30th at Atlanta, 24th at Chicago, 18th at Dover and 17th at Iowa. He had had only one top-five finish – a fifth at Sonoma – in the past seven races.

Bell could have been excused for being a bit excited with a second-place finish Sunday in the Go Bowling at the Glen.

Asked after the race if he was happy, Bell said, “Happy, yeah. I’m thrilled.”

He wasn’t as overjoyed as Shane van Gisbergen, who continued his romp through road courses this year with another victory, but Bell reasserted the strength of his team with the playoffs approaching.

“We’ve been struggling a bit to find a rhythm,” he said. “I feel like the car has been good, but executing the races has been tough for us. Really awesome to have a good day. 

“Frustrated to get our butts kicked by the No. 88 (Van Gisbergen) car. He’s doing a really good job. That team has it really going on. We need to find a little bit more, but certainly happy.”