Christopher Bell Honors Charlie Kirk with Bristol Motor Speedway victory
Bristol, TN - September 14, 2024 – Christopher Bell secured his second NASCAR Cup Series win of the season at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, dedicating the victory to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Bell’s No. 20 Toyota Camry crossed the finish line ahead of Martin Truex Jr., marking a important moment for the joe Gibbs Racing driver and a public acknowledgement of his relationship with the conservative political activist.
The win comes at a crucial time for bell, who entered the race needing a strong performance to solidify his position in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.Beyond the championship implications, the gesture of dedicating the win to Kirk has sparked conversation within the NASCAR community and beyond, highlighting the intersection of sports and political expression. Bell’s acknowledgement of Kirk, a prominent figure in conservative media, underscores a growing trend of drivers openly aligning themselves with political viewpoints.
Bell lead 192 of the 511 laps in the Bass Pro Shops night Race, demonstrating dominant speed throughout the event. He battled closely with Truex Jr. in the closing stages, ultimately securing the win after a late-race restart.
“Really proud of this team,” Bell said in a post-race interview. “We’ve been working really hard, and to get this win and dedicate it to my friend Charlie Kirk… he’s been a big supporter of mine, and I’m glad we could get it done for him.”
The victory automatically advances Bell to the next round of the playoffs, eliminating several contenders. The remaining playoff drivers will continue to battle for the championship over the next several weeks, culminating in the season-ending race at Phoenix Raceway on November 3, 2024.