Bell secures third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series win at Phoenix

Christopher Bell triumphed in the Shriners Children’s 500, marking his third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victory, as he narrowly defeated teammate Denny Hamlin by just 0.049 seconds. Bell led a race-high 105 laps, showcasing his dominance throughout the event, and became the first driver in the NextGen era to achieve three straight wins. The race featured significant strategic elements with the introduction of option tires, which several drivers utilized to gain an advantage. Despite a late caution that bunched the field, Bell managed to hold off Hamlin during the final laps, securing his 12th career Cup Series win. Kyle Larson finished third, followed by Josh Berry and Chris Buescher. Katherine Legge made her Cup Series debut, becoming the first woman to race in the series since Danica Patrick, but faced challenges that ended her day early.