Bell content with being Cup title runner-up

Christopher Bell has time to reflect on what he’s proud of from the NASCAR Cup Series season, but for now he’s glad to leave Homestead accomplishing what he hoped.

“I guess I feel just kind of, I don’t know if normal is the right word, but I would have been really disappointed if we didn’t hold second, for sure,” said Bell of being the runner-up in the title fight. “And I knew it was going to be a battle. We knew [Denny Hamlin] was going to be fast. But I don’t feel proud that I won second. I guess I feel like I should have maintained second, and we did that.

“So, we checked the box and didn’t lose it. I guess that’s where I’m at.”

Bell prevailed over Hamlin by finishing ahead of him in Sunday night’s finale. It was the story within the story of the race, given Kyle Larson clinching the title early. Bell’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, and Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gayle, knew what was still on the line for their teams and routinely updated their drivers on the situation.

Ahead of the final restart of the night with eight laps to go, Bell and Hamlin sat tied in the standings. The difference maker was Bell finishing fourth, while Hamlin, who pushed too hard, got into the wall and faded to sixth.

“All in all, a really solid day for us. I’m honestly proud of today, and it’s something to build on.

“I kind of came in here with an everything-to-gain and nothing-to-lose mentality and was ultra-aggressive driving the car. I wanted to win.”

The final gap was 49 points between Larson and Bell. It was 67 entering the weekend, and Bell had conceded a chance at winning the title.

“He earned it, and I think if you ask anyone in the crowd, anyone in the industry, who the champion should have been, it’s him,” Bell said. “I love how [the Chase] went. I’m obviously disappointed in myself, but I thought the Chase was amazing; it delivered high-intensity moments throughout the entire 10 races, not just in the big shebang at the end.”

“I will always say this is way better than what we had.”

Bell has finished fifth or better in the championship the last five straight years.