Bell wins the strategy battle against Larson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For much of the Southern 500, victory appeared to be heading toward Kyle Larson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hendrick Motorsports driver led a race-high 99 of the 367 laps and controlled the race through much of the final stages. But a rain stoppage with 29 laps remaining changed the complexion of the finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Larson was among the drivers who stayed on track rather than taking fresh tires, while Bell was called into pit lane by Joe Gibbs Racing. Bell restarted fifth, but the fresh tires immediately transformed the No. 20 Toyota’s pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two laps after the restart, Bell was already on Larson’s rear bumper. He then continued to close in before making the decisive move with 12 laps remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NASCAR’s official report confirmed that Bell’s crew was the first among the cars that pitted during the final caution, giving him the best possible track position among the fresh-tire runners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Larson’s decision was not without logic. His crew chief Cliff Daniels said the team believed staying in front offered a better chance of victory than restarting behind the faster Toyotas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Larson ultimately held on for fifth, while Bell moved to the front and began managing the pressure from the other Chase contenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once he passed Larson, Bell still had plenty of work to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ty Gibbs finished second, 1.038 seconds behind his Joe Gibbs Racing team-mate, while Tyler Reddick completed the podium for 23XI Racing. Ryan Blaney finished fourth and Larson took fifth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bell’s victory came despite leading only 46 laps, highlighting how decisive the final restart and tire strategy proved to be. The No. 20 Toyota also secured its first victory of the season at the most important possible moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The full top 10 at Darlington was completed by Chase Briscoe, Josh Berry, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano and Ryan Preece. Josh Berry was the only driver among those positions who was not competing in the Chase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result also means that all four full-time Joe Gibbs Racing drivers have now won races since 2019, after Bell joined Hamlin, Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe in Victory Lane during the current era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The points reset before Darlington brought the 16 Chase contenders closer together, making the opening race particularly important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bell began the Chase sixth, but his victory vaulted him into second behind Hamlin. Blaney is third, followed by Reddick and Briscoe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bubba Wallace was another major beneficiary of the opening race, climbing from 14th to 10th. William Byron, meanwhile, fell three positions and is now 16th, at the bottom of the championship field after an engine failure forced him into the garage 48 laps from the finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With nine races still to go, Bell has immediately transformed his championship position. The next round will take the NASCAR Cup Series to World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in Illinois for the Enjoy Illinois 300.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/br\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/NASCAR-2026-DARLINGTON-CHRISTOPHER-BELL-JOE-GIBBS.jpg\")
Bell holds off Ty Gibbs and Reddick<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bell becomes Hamlin’s closest challenger<\/h2>\n\n\n\n