Christopher Bell’s victory in the Richmond, Raceway Playoff opener last weekend puts him on a good track to become the third Sunoco rookie champion in the last five seasons (William Byron, 2017, Chase Elliott, 2014).
It marked his fifth win of the season – tying him for most wins with veteran Justin Allgaier. And it gives him a large championship lead of 28-points over Daniel Hemric in second, 34-points over Allgaier in third and 37-points over Ross Chastain in fourth.
Bell’s five victories ties him with Greg Biffle (2001), Kyle Busch (2004) and Carl Edwards (2005) for most ever by a series rookie.
This Saturday’s Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course for the Drive for the Cure 200 (at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR) presents a unique first-time championship challenge. However this series has raced on more road courses than any of NASCAR’s three premier series. Joey Logano won at Watkins Glen, N.Y. and Allgaier won both at Mid-Ohio and Elkhart Lake, Wisc. In the last 10 years there have been nine first-time series winners in road course events.
Source: Holly Cain | NASCAR Wire Service
