Christopher Bell held off William Byron to claim his second straight win at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix NASCAR Cup COTA race on Sunday.
The first road course event of the 2025 NASCAR season marked Bell’s 11th career Cup Series win and his first at the shorter 2.3-mile layout of the iconic Circuit of The Americas, solidifying his position as one of the top contenders this year.
Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in his #20 Toyota, Christopher Bell navigated a challenging NASCAR Cup COTA race that featured a dramatic finish with the driver outmaneuvering William Byron and Tyler Reddick in the closing laps.
The race began with high expectations as Tyler Reddick, starting from pole position, led the field into Turn 1. The opening lap, however, was marred by chaos when Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain made contact, sending Elliott to the rear of the field.
Despite the setback, Elliott mounted an impressive comeback throughout the race, ultimately finishing in fourth place.
Meanwhile, Kyle Busch emerged as a dominant force early on, leading a race-high 42 laps in his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Busch appeared poised to end his 60-race winless streak but faltered in the final stages due to tire wear and strategic missteps.
As the laps wound down, Christopher Bell began his charge toward the front. The 30-year old driver executed a flawless strategy that allowed him to overtake Busch with just five laps remaining and from that point forward, he faced relentless pressure from William Byron and Tyler Reddick.
Byron, fresh off his Daytona 500 victory earlier in the season, pushed hard in pursuit of glory at NASCAR Cup COTA but ultimately fell short by 0.433 seconds. Reddick, representing 23XI Racing in a Toyota, also stayed within striking distance but ultimately settled for third place.
Bell’s victory was not only a testament to his skill but also highlighted his ability to remain composed under intense pressure.
Speaking after the race, Bell expressed his satisfaction with the result: “These road course events are incredibly enjoyable!
“Kyle [Busch] was executing his strategy effectively, but he made a mistake that allowed me to take the lead. Once I was in front, I focused on not making any errors.”
William Byron’s second-place finish for Hendrick Motorsports underscored his consistency this season. Starting from 15th on the grid, Byron methodically worked his way through the field and capitalized on late-race opportunities to challenge for the win.
Tyler Reddick’s third-place effort was equally commendable as he maintained a strong pace throughout the NASCAR Cup COTA race and demonstrated why he is considered one of NASCAR’s premier road course drivers.
The top five was rounded out by Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch. Elliott’s recovery drive from an early incident showcased his resilience and determination, while Busch’s fifth-place finish highlighted both his potential and frustration as he continues to search for a long-awaited victory.
Shane van Gisbergen delivered an impressive performance in sixth place for Trackhouse Racing. Chris Buescher finished seventh for RFK Racing, followed closely by Noah Gragson in eighth for Front Row Motorsports.
Alex Bowman secured ninth place for Hendrick Motorsports, while Todd Gilliland completed the top ten with a solid run for Front Row Motorsports.
Further down the order, notable performances included Michael McDowell finishing 11th for Spire Motorsports and Ross Chastain rebounding to 12th after his early incident with Elliott.
Rookie Carson Hocevar impressed with a 13th-place finish in his #77 Chevrolet, while veteran Brad Keselowski managed 15th for RFK Racing despite struggling with handling issues.
Other drivers faced significant challenges at NASCAR Cup COTA. Bubba Wallace finished 20th after grappling with mechanical issues that hampered his pace.
Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano also endured difficult afternoons, finishing 21st and 24th respectively. Kyle Larson had an uncharacteristically tough day, ending up in 32nd place after encountering multiple setbacks.
The race saw three retirements: Austin Dillon exited after completing 80 laps due to mechanical failure; Daniel Suárez retired after just 50 laps; and Connor Zilisch’s debut ended prematurely after completing only 49 laps.
The shortened layout of COTA added an extra layer of complexity to this year’s event, requiring teams to adapt their strategies accordingly. Tire management and pit stop execution played pivotal roles in determining outcomes as drivers navigated the technical corners and elevation changes of the circuit.
With this victory, Christopher Bell has now won multiple races for four consecutive seasons—a remarkable achievement that underscores his consistency and talent.
As NASCAR heads into its next event at Phoenix Raceway on March 9 for the Shriner’s Children’s 500, Bell will undoubtedly be one of the favorites to continue his winning streak.
