“Pretty Disheartening” – Christopher Bell Rues Early Contact with Kyle Larson

At the Watkins Glen International circuit, Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson had a coming together, which resulted in the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing driver getting spun out. In the end, Larson went on to win the race ahead of teammate Chase Elliott, while Bell could only muster 7th fastest.

He said, “If I had to do it over again. I would have pulled down so that he doesn’t get down the inside of me. He completely dive-bombed the corner and had zero run on me down the straightaway. That’s the thing that is most frustrating for me.

“I’m faster that the #19 car [Truex Jr] and we still have 40+ laps in the race.”

Bell is aware that out-braking an opponent is part and parcel of road course racing. However, he insisted that in order to out-brake someone, they need to have a run. From his end, his job was to try and pass Truex Jr as cleanly as possible. At the same time, he must defend from Larson as much as possible.

What else did Christopher Bell say?

According to him, Larson could not get a decent run on himself and Truex Jr. The only reason that the Hendrick car was able to out-brake Bell was because he was stuck behind his own teammate. Naturally, he was not going to compromise his teammate and spin out the #19 car.

He continued, “By me trying to be respectful to my teammate and not force the issue, I ended up getting dumped. I understand that it wasn’t his goal to turn me. If he would have had a run on me and had momentum on me to get inside, that would have been one thing.

“To dive-bomb me from a good ways back and completely lockup and turn me is pretty disheartening.”

Now, poor old Christopher Bell can only rue what could have been. After that disappointing performance, he will be eager for redemption at the next race.

READ MORE: “Wasn’t Intentional at All” – Kyle Larson on His Incident with Christopher Bell