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NASCAR Monday Mash-Up: Christopher Bell can't be stopped

JHby:Jonathan Howard•about 10 hours•

Jondean25

Christopher Bell Denny Hamlin Phoenix
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Another weekend in the NASCAR Cup Series and another win from Christopher Bell – tell me if you’ve heard this once or three times. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver cannot be stopped.

That isn’t all that went down at Phoenix. The ARCA and Xfinity Series races also ended on last-lap passes but with a bit more drama at the end. While Phoenix came and went without major issues there were still moments worth talking about.

Through the first four races of the season, even with Christopher Bell winning three in a row, this might be the best first month of racing the Cup Series has had in years. It has been non-stop action and controversy – things NASCAR needs to put itself into the mainstream sports conversation.

Brent Crews moves Butterbean Queen in ARCA finish

The ARCA Menards Series race came down to two overtime restarts. In ARCA, it is a one-lap dash to the finish, that is it. Butterbean Queen dominated most of the evening at Phoenix.

On the second OT restart, Brent Crews was able to get next to Butterbean and made the most of it. He used up the No. 28 car coming out of Turn 4, putting him in the wall. Crews walked away with the win and no regrets. For now…

Brad Keselowski, others chime in on Crews’ wins

Of course, that finish kind of opened the eyes of other drivers. Now that the ARCA field has opened that door, how many drivers are thinking of pulling the same move to win if they have to?

Brad Keselowski said he felt “guilty” watching Butterbean have the win taken from him that way. It was a clean race all night until the end. And it did foreshadow the rest of the weekend.

Ryan Sieg hits a curb in the garage, goes to backup

Disaster struck Ryan Sieg and his No. 39 RSS Racing team. Sieg was pulling into the garage stall after qualifying when a loud crunch was heard.

Sieg ran over what was later found out to be a slightly raised curb going into the stall. Every Ford team in the garage worked for two hours to get a backup ready. The 39 car came home P4.

NASCAR drivers weigh in on Austin Cindric penalty

Austin Cindric
Peter Casey-Imagn Images

The Austin Cindric penalty and lack of suspension seemed to be the topic of discussion pre-race. Ty Dillon, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin all echoed the same sentiment that 50 points and $50,000 was too light.

Right rear hooks are dangerous in NASCAR. They can lead to bad wrecks, injury, and worse. Did NASCAR mess up with Cindric?

Aric Almirola gets physical to win Xfinity Series race

Following the ARCA race, everyone was talking about Brent Crews’ last lap move. It was seen as cheap, but not over the line necessarily. He will definitely have to watch his back next time he is in a similar situation.

Well, Aric Almirola more or less one-upped Crews. He hip-checked Alex Bowman into the wall coming to the line in a race he didn’t really lead in. Almirola got the win but it didn’t appear like anyone respected the move.

The CW has to apologize for Xfinity Series coverage

There has been a lot of positive, good things this season with the Xfinity Series on The CW. Great broadcast booth, graphics, and all the little details that make these races better.

But The CW had to apologize after, one; a ton of markets were blacked out from watching the race due to local programming. Two; Atlanta specifically cut away from the race on the last lap before the finish. Not a great look.

Katherine Legge makes Cup Series debut, struggles

It was great to see Katherine Legge in this race on Sunday. Not so great to see her spin out twice. She was in the slowest car, the Live Fast No. 78, and was racing Phoenix for the first time ever in any race car.

The chips were stacked against Legge and unfortunately, she spun out in traffic. Daniel Suárez hit her and both of their days were over. Let’s hope for a better result next time Legge hits the track.

NASCAR fans angry with FOX for missing wreck

The first actual wreck of the race was fairly early on. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and a few others were banging doors, going three-wide into the turn.

Well, it didn’t work out. Cars spun out, chaos ensued, the caution came out. FOX had a camera on the wreck right before it happened and cut away as it actually did happen. Fans were furious.

Christopher Bell catches Joey Logano on option tire

One of the best moves from Christopher Bell all race was in Stage 2. Joey Logano was on the faster option tire, but Bell stayed close by on the primary tire. In fact, he stayed very close by.

Bell would end up making a statement by overtaking Logano and winning Stage 2 at Phoenix. He wasn’t done there, either.

Three wins in a row for Christopher Bell

Atlanta, COTA, and Phoenix. Three very different tracks and three very different wins. At Atlanta, Christopher Bell led for a single lap, the last lap. At COTA, he came on strong late to take the win in convincing fashion.

On Sunday at Phoenix, Bell was dominant. He clearly had the fastest car and was executing better than anyone else. Even with a late restart to end the race, Bell held his composure and won WITHOUT putting Hamlin in the fence. Imagine that, I didn’t think it was possible.