In motorsport, everything changes in the fraction of seconds. NASCAR is the Number 1 spectator sport and is all about speed, skill, and strategy. Apart from these deciding factors responsible for a successful weekend, there is “Time of race” and weather that have played a significant role multiple times in history. During the first-ever NASCAR street circuit race in Chicago, Christopher Bell, along with Kyle Larson and others, lost it even after leading a race-high for both stages.
The Chi-Town is used to traffic jams, but one that developed during NASCAR’s street race debut may be one of its kind. While the 28-year-old, Joe Gibbs Racing #20 driver qualified 4th and was eyeing the Chicago title. However, the entire course of the race changed when the cars turned to Jackson Drive in turn 11.
Kyle Larson Lets Out His Frustration at NASCAR
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The #4 Ford driver and #7 Chevrolet created a siege that brought out the 6th caution of the debut street race. This happened due to a single car swirling around, exiting the 11th Turn, 14 cars piled up on the 50th lap. In light of this, the pile-up ended up getting everyone a new running order. Christopher Bell had to restart 12th but slid sideways getting into Turn 1, and bounced off the tire barriers, losing his strategy and good race of the first 37 laps.
Kyle Larson was among the 14 drivers in the pile-up in the windy city on Sunday. The Chevrolet Camaro #5 driver was betwixt of it when he got a blowout, wrecking his efforts to win the race. In the chaos, Larson was heard saying: “They need to give our spots back”.
Kyle Larson was spotted strongly upset with NASCAR’s decision when it came to determining the restart order. Following the race, the No. 5 Chevrolet driver gave the following explanation in an interview: ?You know,?a few of them probably felt they got lucky?so it just is what it is. I think NASCAR needs to look at it and maybe find like a primary cause of the caution and put them to back.?
What Did Christopher Bell Have to Say About His Troubles on the Chicago Race Track?
NASCAR hasn’t shortened a race for the first time. This goes back to 1965, when the first race was shortened due to heavy rain, making Fred Lorenzen win the race. Just a few years later, Buddy Baker, won a race which he was leading at lap 255 when rain forced and officials called to stop. In all, more than 3 dozen drivers since have won weather-shortened races since 1965. There have been comments and rants of all kinds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
After the Chicago Street race, Christopher Bell was seen expressing his feeling. He said, ?Well, there it is, they (NASCAR) f**ked us. Now all of those other j*rks (Elliott and others) that pitted before they announced it already got fuel and tires.?
WATCH THIS STORY: Unimpressed Kyle Larson Slams NASCAR?s Mind Boggling Decision After ?Logjam? Conundrum at Chicago
Larson said post-race to Bob Pockrass. “I just come to a stop too, because I?ve got nowhere to go and then you know a couple of them are able to get lucky and get behind. Then, the cars who were actually the reason for the crash also got their spot back. So, I felt like we were put back a few spots further than we should have been, but I?m sure a lot of people felt the same way?”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The driver’s strategies and skills are being questioned by several spectators. The #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver came back to finish fourth in Chicago, and the JGR #20 driver finished 18th. Kyle and Christopher spreadhead the race and had a speed as good as the street race winner, SVG.