Christopher Bell DESTROYS Denny Hamlin in a SHOCKING Photo Finish at Phoenix!

NASCAR fans were treated to a breathtaking showdown at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday afternoon, witnessing history as Christopher Bell claimed his third consecutive victory in the Shriners Children’s 500. In a jaw-dropping finish, Bell edged out his Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) teammate Denny Hamlin by a mere 0.049 seconds, marking the second-closest finish ever recorded at Phoenix Raceway.

Bell’s No. 20 Toyota crossed the finish line just inches ahead of Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota after a heart-pounding two-lap shootout that had fans on the edge of their seats. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet finished an incredibly close third, just 0.048 seconds behind Hamlin, making this one of the most tightly contested finishes in recent NASCAR history.

A Finish for the Ages

As the final laps unfolded, the battle for victory intensified. Coming out of turn three, Hamlin had a slight advantage, but Bell wasn’t about to back down. The two teammates made contact multiple times in the closing moments, with both cars sliding up the track in the final corner. Despite Hamlin’s aggressive push, Bell somehow maintained control of his car, keeping just enough momentum to cross the finish line ahead.

“That was insane!” Bell exclaimed in victory lane. “This one ranks up there as one of the most intense finishes I’ve ever been a part of. Denny raced me hard, but clean, and we just barely edged him out. What a race!”

Hamlin, visibly frustrated but gracious in defeat, admitted that Bell had the edge at the right moment. “I thought I had him at the white flag,” Hamlin said. “We were door-to-door, and I knew it was going to be a battle. But credit to Bell—he executed that final corner perfectly.”

Bell’s Dominance Continues

Bell’s victory at Phoenix marks a historic achievement in NASCAR’s Next Gen car era. He becomes:

• The first driver to win three consecutive races in the Next Gen era.

• The first driver to win three straight races since Kyle Larson in 2021.

• The fourth driver in Cup Series history to win three of the first four races in a season.

• The first driver since Kevin Harvick in 2018 to pull off such a feat.

• The second driver in JGR history to win three straight races, following Kyle Busch in 2015.

Bell’s journey to victory wasn’t an easy one. Starting from the 11th position, he quickly worked his way through the field, leading a race-high 105 of the 312 laps. However, his dominant run was put in jeopardy when a late caution for teammate Ty Gibbs set up the dramatic finish.

A Strategic Battle

Sunday’s race wasn’t just about raw speed—it was also a game of tire strategy. NASCAR implemented a unique tire compound setup for the race, with teams given six sets of standard yellow-sidewall tires and two sets of softer red-sidewall tires. These softer tires provided more grip but degraded faster, adding a new layer of strategy.

Bell saved a set of the red tires for the closing laps, hoping they would give him the necessary advantage. However, multiple cautions disrupted his plan, turning the final stretch into a battle of pure driving skill. “I was hoping for a long green-flag run to use those tires to their full potential, but the late yellows made it a survival race,” Bell admitted.

What’s Next for Bell?

With this victory, Bell now has 12 career Cup Series wins and is heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway with an opportunity to make even more history. A win there would make him the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2007 to claim four consecutive Cup Series victories. Additionally, he has a shot at joining Bill Elliott as one of the only drivers to win four of the season’s first five races.

NASCAR fans won’t have to wait long to see if Bell can continue his streak. But one thing is certain: after his incredible performance at Phoenix, he has firmly established himself as the man to beat in the 2025 season.

Can Bell keep this streak alive? Or will another competitor rise to challenge his dominance? NASCAR heads to Las Vegas next, and all eyes will be on the No. 20 Toyota as Bell aims to make history once again.