Christopher Bell concluded his race in New Hampshire with a strong fourth place on Sunday, but his performance was not without tense moments.
After a pit stop to change two tires, Bell tried to get back into the competition when his front tire changer, Blake Houston, had not been able to clear in time and was hit by car number 20.
Although it was a coordination error, the scene was really alarming. Bell immediately asked his team over the radio to ensure that Houston was okay. His crew chief, Adam Stevens, assured him that Houston was «a bit dinged up, but fine».
Unfortunately, this setback did not affect Bell’s ability to recover, finishing the race in fourth place, which moved him up to fifth place in the points standings, with only one race remaining in the regular season.
«We had a setback in the pits, but the team showed its strength and we ended up more or less where we should have finished,» Bell commented after the race. «I’m very satisfied with the fourth place today, we just need a little more right now.»
Bell explained that the contact with Houston occurred due to his signal to move. «It was really complicated. My signal to advance is the moment the jack drops. In a two-tire stop, they are expected to be out in front of the car,» he said. «When the jack dropped, I saw that he was still there, we had a moment of confusion in the rearview camera and I thought, ‘I didn’t feel my car move, so I know I didn’t hit him, but I hope he’s not stuck'».
Moreover, Bell praised his pit crew and the work of the industry professionals despite the inherent risks. «It’s alarming and very revealing. These guys, jumping over the pit wall, are risking it all. I’m very grateful to all the members of the pit crew, and especially to my team. They do a really good job, and I’m glad Blake is okay.»
With Bell achieving fifth place in the standings, Joe Gibbs Racing now has all four of its drivers in the top 6, looking ahead to next week’s Daytona race, before the championship closes with 16 drivers for the Chase.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_e35d389c96bfaaa473eb5ea6663f41396935708b