Chistopher Bell says it was hard for him to get his first pavement win

Christopher Bell: “Winning is something — I can’t explain what it feels like. But, it’s the most additive feeling I’ve ever felt.”

In 2018, Christopher Bell moves a step up the NASCAR ladder system. He’s been signed by Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.But, he spent his off-season on the dirt.

The 2017 NCWTS champion entered the Chili Bowl in January. He battled with Kyle Larson for the win. As Larson’s engine expired, Bell cruised to win back-to-back Chili Bowl Nationals.

“My off-season was great. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to race since the Chili Bowl. Which I’m kinda bummed about,” Bell stated during Daytona Media Day.

Goal

“My goal is to win races. That’s the one thing that drives me in this sport. Winning is something — I can’t explain what it feels like. But, it’s the most additive feeling I’ve ever felt.”

“Once you win, it’s just something that you gotta get more of. I’m glad I was able to get my first win last year at Kansas. One’s not enough though. I need to build on that and hopefully win races this year. And win lots of them.”

ROSSBURG, OH – JULY 22: Christopher Bell, driver of the #54 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Toyota, gets the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 1-800-CAR-CASH Mud Summer Classic, at Eldora Speedway on July 22, 2015 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Christopher Bell’s first win in the NASCAR ranks came on familiar territory, the dirt. It was his 3rd NASCAR Truck Series start. He won that race on July 22, 2015. It was his first attempt at the Eldora Dirt Derby as a part-time driver.

“When I won my first truck race at Eldora, I was just getting my feet wet. I was still a dirt track racer. Going into Eldora, I knew that I should run good there.”

“The hardest part for me was winning on pavement. It took me a long time before I won my first NASCAR race on pavement. Then, it took me even longer to repeat that.”

13 races later, Christopher Bell won his first pavement race. That win came at Gateway Motorsports Park on June 25, 2016.

16 races later, Christopher Bell returned to victory lane in the NASCAR Truck Series. That came in the second race of the season last year. He won at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 4, 2017.

“I need to win races, to continue to prove to myself that I do have what it takes to be here.”

Today, Christopher Bell dropped the green flag on his full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series career. He was involved in an early incident that took him out of the event.

More

Related: Christopher Bell is interest in more NASCAR dirt races

Related: Christopher Bell win the 2017 NCWTS championship

Links

Christopher Bell | NASCAR

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