Christopher Bell, Toyota dominate at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Christopher Bell ended the Shriners Children’s 500 in Victory Lane Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, ending Team Chevrolet’s early dominance in the 2024 season.

Bell led twice for 50 laps to capture his first win of 2024, the seventh of his career, and the first for Toyota this year.

“It’s no secret that Phoenix has been a little bit of a struggle for us,” Bell said. “After that first year of Next Gen – myself and Adam (Stevens, crew chief) we really sat down and said that Phoenix needs to be a focus point because I didn’t feel very good there the first two races in 2022. 

“And then in 2023, we were a little better each time and today was lights out so today is a great day for the company.”

Bell has now won at least one race per season since joining Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021.

Second-place Chris Buescher was over 5 seconds behind the race leader, getting around Ty Gibbs in the closing laps to take the runner-up spot.

“.We had really fast race cars and I am proud to be able to do that today,” Buescher said. “I didn’t quite see the 20 there at the end so I know they were lights out. We have some work to do to get to that point.”

Ty Gibbs, Brad Keselowski and defending series champion Ryan Blaney finished out the Top-5.

Through the field

November race winner Ross Chastain finished sixth, the highest of Team Chevrolet.

Martin Truex Jr. was one of six drivers to lead laps today, utilizing pit strategy to lead 55 laps in Stage 3. The former Phoenix winner finished seventh.

A pair of Fords with Michael McDowell and Chase Briscoe finished eighth and ninth.

Tyler Reddick, who led a race-tying high 68 laps, and won Stage 1, finished 10th. He tied with polesitter Denny Hamlin, who finished 11th.

Carson Hocevar was the highest finishing rookie in 15th. Last year’s Spring winner, William Byron finished 18th despite Top-10 showings in the first two stages. 

Right behind Byron was Chase Elliott, who also collected stage points in the opening stages, who finished 19th.

Corey LaJoie, Joey Logano and Derek Kraus all collected damage in a lap 205 crash. The three drivers failed to finish, collecting 33rd, 24th, and 35th-place finishes respectively.

Outlook
The first four races have produced four different winners; William Byron (Daytona), Daniel Suarez (Atlanta), Kyle Larson (Las Vegas), and Christopher Bell (Phoenix).

The next race is scheduled for Sunday, March 17 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Ryan Blaney with 151 total points moves to the points lead over Kyle Larson (141 points). Martin Truex Jr. (141), William Byron (134) and Tyler Reddick (130).