BRISTOL, Tenn: Christopher Bell, one of the pre-race favorites in the postponed Food City Dirt Race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, made just 54 laps Monday afternoon after spinning following the first competition caution.
Bell, who was running in the top-five, slipped out of the groove and spun his No. 20 IRWIN Tools Toyota Camry directly into the path of Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain who were innocent bystanders.
With his historic legacy on dirt prior to steering to a path on asphalt and NASCAR in particular, Bell’s craft was expected to be front and center for the NASCAR Cup Series who was competing in a dirt event for the first time since 1970.
Instead, a mistake by the Joe Gibbs Racing driver put him out of the race and a disappointing 34th place finish.
“I was just trying to run the water in under yellow. I knew it was a little bit slick, but I felt like I could go up there and make some time and I kind of entered shallow underneath of it and tried to pick it up on exit and it was just really greasy up there,” explained Bell.
“I hate it for all of our partners – IRWIN Tools, PristineAuction.com, Toyota, TRD. That was a lot of fun, being able to be out there for that first run was really cool and hate it that I can’t be out there longer.”
Bristol will be the first DNF (did not finish) for the No. 20 team this season and his worst finish of 2021.
Ross Chastain also retired from the race after the Lap 53 crash. Larson continued but was multiple laps down.
The Norman, OK. native remains in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with his victory at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway Road Course last month.
The NASCAR Cup Series returns at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on Apr. 10 for the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01
