In NASCAR's storied history, some of the most memorable moments come when fierce competitors find themselves unlikely allies in the heat of battle. The post Christopher Bell Finds an ‘Unexpected Ally’ as He Helps Leave Denny Hamlin in the Dumps at Phoenix appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Denny Hamlin came into Sunday’s race at Phoenix hoping to improve on his start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, which included a pair of finishes outside of the top 20 at Daytona (24th) and Circuit of the Americas (21st) sandwiched around a sixth-place result at Atlanta.

With the two leaders side-by-side coming off Turn 4, Bell prevailed in the drag race back to the finish line to win by .049 seconds, the second-closest margin of victory in Phoenix history and the closest since the frontstretch was moved from what is now the back straightaway to the dogleg in 2018.

"How about that one, race fans?" asked Christopher Bell moments after taking the checkered flag at Phoenix. The post Denny Hamlin Shows True Colors After Christopher Bell’s Phoenix Dominance Earns NASCAR Fans’ Respect appeared first on EssentiallySports.

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Christopher Bell became the first NASCAR Cup Series driver to win three straight races in the NextGen car, holding off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin by .0049 seconds to win the second-closest race in Phoenix Raceway history on Sunday.

Christopher Bell became the first driver since Kevin Harvick in 2018 to win three of the first four races to open a NASCAR Cup Series season.

Christopher Bell edges Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson to win third straight race. Denny Hamlin was able to stay on Christopher Bell's outside through the final two laps, but as we saw