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Last Sunday’s South Point 400 was overshadowed by the wreck (and ensuing confrontation) involving Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson.
With the altercation threatening Christopher Bell’s place in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs as the season reaches its climax, the Wallace-Larson incident’s shadow is guaranteed to extend beyond the Las Vegas track.
There are two races remaining until the field is cut to four, and Bell ranks last among qualifying drivers in eighth place. He’s currently 23 points behind the playoffs’ No. 4 driver, Denny Hamlin. Last Sunday, after Wallace ran into Larson’s back right bumper and spun him out, Bell was caught in the crosshairs. His car was damaged, and he was unable to finish the race.
Considering his average driver rating (90.5) is good for fourth this year, the fact Bell could potentially be competing in his final two meaningful races in the next two weeks is a tough pill to swallow.
Per ESPN, Toyota is the carmaker responsible for both Bell’s and Wallace’s cars and requires their teams — Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing — to “work together.”
The report states that Wallace apologized to Bell on the flight from Las Vegas. Wallace released a statement the following day and was suspended for one race.
While Wallace will be back to racing in no time, the clock is ticking on Bell’s chances to win the Bill France Cup. Per Crash, Bell has finished eighth and 20th at Homestead, where this Sunday’s Dixie Vodka 400 takes place. If he’s able to pull himself out of last place and make it to the final four, it could be the first step toward Wallace’s redemption.
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