Bell Finishes 20th at Homestead

RACE: Dixie Vodka 400
TRACK: Homestead-Miami Speedway
START: 3rd
FINISH: 20th
LAPS: 267 laps

Stage 1 Recap (Laps 1-80)

• Christopher Bell was slated to start third but lined up on the front row after the second-place qualifier had to drop to the rear of the field to start the race.
• The No. 20 Rheem Toyota Camry had a tight-handling condition from the drop of the green flag and cost Bell positions on the track.
• Under the competition caution, Bell came down pit road for four tires, fuel and an adjustment.
• Bell restarted eighth and said he needed help getting back to the throttle, the car was now loose in.
• With one more opportunity to pit before the stage break Bell received four fresh tires, fuel and another adjustment. Restarting 23rd with eight laps remaining in stage one.
• Bell raced his way up to 16th to finish stage one at Homestead.
• At the stage break, Bell came down pit road for four tires, fuel and another adjustment.

Stage 2 Recap (Laps 88-160)

• Bell started 14th and finished 28th in stage two.
• The No. 20 continued to be loose late exit of the corners. The adjustments had helped the center, but the car was still loose and sliding on exit.
• Green flag pit stops cycled through the field and the No. 20 came down pit road on lap 122 for four tires and fuel. The car continued to be loose off the turns despite the adjustments.
• A caution came out late in the stage and Bell was the last car on the lead lap. In an effort to save a set of tires for later in the race, crew chief Adam Stevens brought Bell down pit road for just chassis adjustments. Racing resumed with one lap remaining in stage two at Homestead.
• Bell finished stage two 28th then came down pit road for four tires and fuel.

Stage 3 Recap (Laps 168-267)

• Bell started stage three 27th and crossed the finish line 20th.
• The Rheem Toyota Camry felt good to take off but continued to lose drive on exit.
• Without many cautions in the final stage, Bell was left trying to make the best of his run.
• With 11 laps to go Bell was running 20th and was able to hold his position to cross the finish line 20th in the No. 20 Rheem Toyota Camry at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Additional Notes

• Martin Truex Jr. led Joe Gibbs Racing’s four-car contingent crossing the finish third. Kyle Busch finished 10th and Denny Hamlin was 11th.

Next Up: The NASCAR Cup Series heads west to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the next stop on the 2021 schedule. The race will be broadcast live Sunday, March 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.