Christopher Bell wins in New Hampshire

The young Joe Gibbs Racing driver takes his first victory of the season by resisting 2020 champion Chase Elliott.

Published on 18/07/2022 à 01:08

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Christopher Bell stands up to the big boys at Loudon © James Gilbert/Getty Images

Before a thrilling finale between Chase Elliott and Christopher Bell, Martin Truex Jr. was the big host of this 20th round of the season, taking pole position before leading 172 of the 301 laps of the race.

Martin Truex Jr. was the first to congratulate his young teammate Christopher Bell © Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Ty Dillon after losing his wheel at Petty GMS for the 2023 season during the week was involved in a crash with Alex Bowman from the 6^rd lap and had to leave the race like his unfortunate companion in misadventure. The rest of the first segment went off without a hitch, dominated head and shoulders by Martin Truex Jr.

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From the start of the second segment, Kyle Busch took it easy, fortunately without any damage to his body. Toyota Camry and the rest of the pack. A boon for the unfortunate hero of the last round in Atlanta, Corey Lajoie, who took the opportunity to return to the leader's lap... before having to abandon a few loops later, thrown into the wall following a technical failure.

This incident led to a salvo of pit stops, the big loser of which was Chase Elliott pushed to the back of the pack after a completely botched pit stop by his Hendrick Motorsports mechanics. Unchained, Elliott launched into a frantic comeback to return to the Top 10 in the space of a few laps.

Chase Elliott almost lost his chance of doing well in the pits © James Gilbert/Getty Images

At the front of the race, Martin Truex Jr. unfolded a perfect plan to win the segment and pocket the points for the second section. 6th and 9th in the two intermediate segments, his teammate Christopher Bell led a wise and diligent race, taking advantage of a Toyota Camry that was particularly comfortable on this track.

With 96 laps to go, Todd Gilliland spun, causing what was to be the last caution of the race. At the restart, Martin Truex Jr. seemed to be in difficulty for the first time, certainly remaining in the Top 5 but struggling to keep up with Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott who were widening a gap at the head of the race. Worse, Bubba Wallace even came to challenge him for third place!

Christopher Bell did not tremble and contained Elliott to win his second victory in the Cup Series, validate his ticket for the Playoffs by ahead of the 14th victorious driver this season and… leave with the famous Loudon lobster promised to the winner!