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Christopher Bell Outruns Cole Custer At Darlington Raceway To Win In Overtime

by Hunter Thomas August 31, 2024 1 comment

DARLINGTON, S.C. – Christopher Bell held off Cole Custer in NASCAR Overtime to win the Sport Clips VFW Help A Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway on Saturday afternoon.

On the Overtime restart, Custer restarted on the inside of the front row with Bell alongside on the high side. Custer had the advantage heading into Turn 1, but Bell carried the speed out of Turn 2 to take over the lead. The two drivers made contact on the backstretch, and Bell made an incredible save to avoid spinning into the inside wall. Despite the slide, the two drivers continued to stay in front of the field. Bell held on to win his second series race of the season and the 19^th of his career.

“That was wild for sure,” Bell said. “Darlington is just such a tough race track and off of (turn) two whether you’re on the bottom or the top, it like flushes you toward the wall and you kind of get a wiggle coming down. Once again, I feel terrible for Sheldon (Creed) to essentially win the race. He passed me on the long run there and then then to lose the lead on pit road is a big bummer. Really, really happy to win in this Sport Clips Supra. Tyler Allen (crew chief), what can I say, man. He’s been killing it this year and I’m just lucky I get to drive for him.”

Custer methodically made his way to winning contention after starting 21^st. He finished ninth in Stage 1 and sixth in Stage 2. Custer is typically always a contender at Darlington and on Saturday, the story wasn’t any different. Custer was right there at the end, but Bell, who had been strong all day after sitting on the pole, was just faster. Following the race, Custer discusses the contact the happened between the two.

“We were both going for it,” Custer said. “We were just trying to carry as much throttle as possible, and Christopher had the momentum there. I need to see a replay of the exit of Turn 2. It just got tight. I don’t know if he came down or if I came up, but that was just hard racing. I am so proud of our team. We were in trouble after qualifying 21st, so for us to get this Haas Automation Ford Mustang in second place and really have a car so good throughout the day means a lot to what this team can do.”

Sheldon Creed finished second and prior to the last-race caution that sent the race into Overtime, he was well on his way to winning his first race of the season; however, on the final pit stop of the day, he lost the lead and restarted on the second row.

“I lost one the same way a few years ago here,” Creed said. “Just this has always been a really good place for me. I’ve always loved racing here. Just, man, I don’t know what to do to be any better than that. I felt like I put in one of my best performances today. I love my pit crew, and they do a great job for us. I can’t blame that on them, we just got beat on pit road today so bummer.”

NASCAR Cup Series driver, Chase Elliott finished fourth, and Sammy Smith finished fifth. Rounding out the top-10 was Jesse Love, Shane Van Gisbergen, Chase Smith, Austin Hill and Justin Allgaier.

Bell won Stage 1, and Creed won Stage 2.

There were 12 lead changes among four drivers. Bell led a race high of 108 laps.

The caution flew on six occasions for 29 laps.

Allgaier leads Custer in the standings by 28 points.

Up next, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will visit Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 7 for the Focused Health 250. Live coverage will broadcast on USA at 3 p.m. ET.

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com