Christopher Bell executed a strong late-race push during Sunday’s event at Watkins Glen International, securing second place despite finishing over 10 seconds behind winner Shane van Gisbergen. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver took advantage of a complex pit strategy sequence, where competitors either extended their stints, pitted early, or drove aggressively to the finish.
Maintaining Track Position and Overtaking Crucial Rivals
Bell’s performance in Stage 2, finishing third, provided an important track position advantage before his pit stop, setting him up to move forward in the final stage. On the final lap, Bell caught up to Chris Buescher and successfully passed him just before the checkered flag, demonstrating skill in close-quarters racing.
Challenges of the Next Gen Car’s ‘Dirty Air’
Handling the aerodynamic turbulence known as “dirty air” from the Next Gen car proved to be a considerable challenge for Bell, a three-time winner in 2025. Bell explained the difficulties, saying,
“Dirty air… dirty air is so bad. You can close the gap and once you get to two car lengths back, you can just feel the hot air – even the air that is going through your helmet. It gets hot, the brakes get hot, you lose grip and you stall out.”
—Christopher Bell, Driver
Maintaining Pace Without Caution Flags
The final 46 laps ran without any cautions, so Bell had to rely on pure performance rather than race interruptions. He reflected on this, stating,
“I was moving pretty good so I was content with no yellows and just letting it run green,”
and further added,
“Thankfully, I had enough pace so I could break through that bubble and get by him. It took a little bit longer than I wanted to.”
—Christopher Bell, Driver
Bell’s Consistent Podium Finishes Continue
This result marked Bell’s fourth runner-up finish since his last victory in March at Phoenix, highlighting a continued strong presence near the front of the field. While not a win, his determined effort at Watkins Glen strengthens Bell’s standing and momentum heading into upcoming races.