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Christopher Bell Charges From Eighth to Win Chili Bowl Thursday Prelim, Ties Larson Record

Late cautions followed by a switch to the bottom unlocked the five‑lap charge that matched Kyle Larson’s prelim mark.

Overview

  • Bell started eighth after low passing points from front‑row draws in his heat and qualifier, then executed a decisive late run.
  • C.J. Leary finished second to secure a place in Saturday’s 55‑lap A‑Main, while Ryan Bernal’s third means a B‑Main route is required.
  • Bell said the Turn 4 cushion became too slick, prompting him to commit to the low line in Turns 3 and 4 where he found grip and momentum.
  • Cautions for incidents including a Trevor Cline spin and a later stack‑up bunched the field, setting up Bell’s passes of Spencer Bayston, Kyle Cummins, Leary and Bernal.
  • The win capped a strong Tulsa week for Bell, who also claimed Monday’s Race of Champions, as he and his team continue fine‑tuning for the finale; NASCAR’s Josh Bilicki flipped in his B‑Main but continued to finish 10th.