Exploded brake rotor ends Christopher Bell’s championship bid

AVONDALE, Ariz. — a break rotor issue for Christopher Bell sidelined the Joe Gibbs Racing driver Sunday in the Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

Bell, while running inside the Top-10 during the second stage of the race, said he did have a heads up about the issue that saw his No. 20 hit the outside Turn 3 wall.

“I mean that was my first time I’ve ever exploded a rotor in my career,” Bell said. “So, yeah, I was surprised but early on in the race I had a little bit of brake fade and the second run it just kept getting worse and worse.

“I don’t know. Just obviously a disappointing way to end.”

Bell finished 36th (last). He will finish fourth in final point standings.