The magic of the playoffs was on full display in Vegas as the inevitable ‘even-year’ Joey Logano stole the show. Not even the consistency of Christopher Bell could stop Team Penske No. 22 from securing his spot in the championship 4. Bell drove an excellent race and finished P2, but he will have to do it all over again in Miami, and this time, he would hope to make it one better.

Christopher Bell will arrive at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a chip on his shoulder, being arguably the best driver of the playoffs. His impressive finishes on intermediate tracks—like the upcoming Homestead Miami Speedway—put him in a prime position to chase victory this weekend. Despite superstar Kyle Larson being touted as the favorite, Bell has the backing of solid stats that should make you consider him a serious contender.

Bell’s Steady Performance on Tire-Heavy Tracks

While Christopher Bell has a tendency to fly under a lot of fans’ and bookmakers’ radars alike, the numbers don’t lie when it comes to the man piloting the No. 20 Toyota. Especially not with intermediate tracks. Motorsport YouTuber Eric Estepp sat down with analytical expert Ryan Stevens to break down statistically the consistency of Christopher Bell.

Homestead and other intermediate tracks with high tire wear challenge drivers to balance speed with skillful tire management. Christopher Bell’s career average finish of 9.3 on similar tracks like Las Vegas, Kansas, and Charlotte ranks him third overall. Take a look at his performance on these tracks at the 2024 playoffs: Vegas P2, Charlotte P2, and Kansas P7.

Christopher Bell has been breathing fire these playoffs, averaging a 5.7 finish over the last seven races. Last weekend in Vegas, he just missed out on the win as Joey Logano‘s fuel-saving strategy snatched the victory. At the ROVAL, he qualified in 12th and stormed his way up to the front but could not oust the dominant Kyle Larson, who led 62 laps as Bell finished in P2 yet again. His playoff outing in Kansas this season saw him seize the pole but slipped to a P7  finish.

“One more interesting note on Bell. I did an 18-race sample of qualifying in 2023 and 2024 tracks similar to this (Homestead). He’s won the pole seven times! So I would be expecting him to start up-front there,” said Stevens. Bell is the favorite to take pole position in Homestead, along with other intermediate track experts like Tyler Reddick and Kyle Larson. Although pole position might not be the best spot for Christopher Bell. The #20 has failed to win the race on 13 occasions after starting at pole position in his career, the most recent one, of course, being Vegas.

Joe Gibbs Racing #20 is a machine when it comes to dominating intermediate tracks and it’s no surprise that he goes into Homestead brimming with confidence. After all, Bell is the defending Homestead champion and would certainly look to keep that crown and take it to Phoenix.

Christopher Bell looks for a hat-trick of championship 4 appearances

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The 29-year-old has been a full-time Cup series driver since 2020 and has spent half of his time at the championship 4. 2022 and 2023 saw Bell come agonizingly close to that elusive title, finishing 3rd and 4th respectively. Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney both pipped him on consecutive occasions, and Logano doing it again in Vegas would have left a sour taste in his mouth. However, Logano has no stakes at Homestead and Blaney would require a sensational drive and some powerful prayers to conjure up a comeback from -47 under the cutline. This leaves Bell with one glaringly obvious rival for the race in Miami.

Yes, Larson is the go-to favorite to take glory in Homestead, especially after leading most of the 2023 race there before unfortunately crashing into the sand barrels, ironically handing the win to Bell himself. His recent form suggests he’s almost always a serious contender. With three wins and twenty-one top-10 finishes this season, his prowess is undeniable. However, Bell hasn’t been perfect this season and has had his share of disappointment with accidents on tracks like Atlanta and Michigan when he was leading. Yet it’s his tenacity to stay resilient and consistent in the face of adversity that makes him a regular threat.

With strong playoff results and a clear knack for managing tricky tracks, Bell looks well poised to defend his Homestead title. Fans and competitors alike will be eager to see if Bell can convert this playoff momentum into another stellar Homestead performance and book his spot in Phoenix.