Christopher Bell wins pole award for South Point 400 at Las Vegas

For the fourth time in seven races, Christopher Bell is back on the pole. This time for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bell edged out Kyle Larson for the pole award by one-hundredth of a second. 28.980 to 28.990. Almost as close as it gets in NASCAR.

Remember Christopher Bell won the first three pole awards of the NASCAR Playoffs. His No. 20 Rheem Toyota Camry was a rocket in qualifying. Neither Bell or Larson lifted on their lap and it produced a fun qualifying session.

Bell is going to be followed by Larson, William Byron, Martin Truex Jr., Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, and Ross Chastain.

Christopher Bell edges Kyle Larson!

Bell will lead the field to green at Las Vegas. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/h1A84SnAbI

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 14, 2023

Christopher Bell started the NASCAR Playoffs with three straight pole awards. His work in qualifying has been on full display. His No. 20 JGR team should get a ton of credit as well. These cars are fast off the truck and it shows.

However, Bell needs results now. He can qualify as well as he wants, but if he can’t produce wins or top-5 finishes, then what does it matter? Making another Championship 4 isn’t going to be easy. It seems that Bell is stepping up to the plate, though.

Bristol and Texas were great races for the 20. Now he has to do it again.

Christopher Bell has to produce a win

History tells us that you can’t win a championship without winning. Winning in the Round of 8 and then the championship race in Phoenix are key. Plain and simple. While there have been good races for Bell lately, he needs to reach that next gear, so to speak.

Toyota is great at Las Vegas. So, Christopher Bell should feel good about his chances. I really think he is a driver that loves the playoffs. He seems to really get a lot out of his car this time of the year and it feels like he’s on the verge of a major performance.

After qualifying, I’d say it’s going to be Bell, Larson, and Byron. Those three are just insanely fast and consistent. Seeing these cars on the track in practice and qualifying, one of those drivers is likely the winner.

There will be cautions in this race. Tires are taking a beating. Chase Elliott and Daniel Suárez wrecked in practice after tire failures. So, it could get messy at some point. Christopher Bell needs to avoid disaster and hope he doesn’t get hurt by an untimely caution.