Christopher Bell’s confidence was on full display all weekend at North Wilkesboro. After winning the second All-Star heat race, he grinned and said, “It’s feeling really good.” That should have been a warning shot for Joey Logano and the rest of the field. When the lights came on and the stakes hit $1 million, Bell delivered, leaving fans cheering and rivals frustrated.

“North Wilkesboro, how about that one!” Bell exclaimed in victory lane. “That right there is absolutely incredible. North Wilkesboro, best short track on the schedule!” But for Joey Logano, who came up just short in a hard-fought battle, the celebration was bittersweet. In the aftermath, Logano made it clear. He’s not planning to forget how this one played out, and he’s sending a message to Bell for the weeks ahead.

Joey Logano left chasing as Bell’s gamble pays off

Joey Logano was the defending All-Star champ heading into this race, after leading 199/200 laps in 2024. This year, it wasn’t that easy, but still, he was so close he could almost taste the million-dollar prize once again at North Wilkesboro. But in the end, Christopher Bell’s bold strategy and a little bit of luck left Logano chasing shadows. The turning point came right after Marcus Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc., threw his competition caution flag at lap 101, and Logano did not like that one bit, saying, “Yeah. I’m all about no gimmicks with the cautions. I’m a little … me and Marcus aren’t seeing eye-to-eye right now, okay? (laughter) I gotta have a word with him.”

At that moment, Logano was leading the field. Bell, however, seized the chance to put his Heat Race strategy into action. He took just two tires on pit road and beat everyone out. On the other hand, Logano preferred to stay out. Not a good decision, we’d say, as Joey Logano lost track position and never got it back. That pit call would set the stage for Bell’s late-race heroics.

As the laps wound down, Joey Logano was doing everything he could to keep Bell behind him. But with ten laps to go, Bell made his move. He slid Logano up against the wall, and the two made contact numerous times as Bell jostled for the lead and finally broke free. Once Bell surged past, and there was no catching him. At the checkered flag, Bell crossed the line 0.829 seconds ahead, sealing his first All-Star Race victory. However, Logano was not too pleased with Bell’s antics. When asked if he felt Bell’s move was fair, the #22 said, “It is what it is… He did it enough so I couldn’t get back to him. I was gonna show him what fair was. I just couldn’t get there.”

Then, when asked how he’ll race Bell moving forward, he was clear: “I’ll race him the same way. That’s all it is. This race is for a million dollars, I get it. But we race each other every week. We’re like elephants, we don’t forget anything.” Joey Logano and Christopher Bell have developed a competitive on-track relationship, with several notable clashes in recent years. And when giving his press conference after the race, Bell responded to Logano’s frustrated feelings.

Christopher Bell was confused when he was told that Logano was frustrated after the race. The #20 said with a wry smile on his face, “Joey was frustrated? He was frustrated? That is interesting, I genuinely would not have guessed that.” He then proceeded to deliver a cutting response that shut down any claims of foul play from Logano. Bell added, “Well, I had got to him a couple of times before, and he made it very difficult on me, as he should. I got my run, and I took the moment, as I should. I don’t think I did anything that Joey has not done, and I’ve seen Joey do much worse.”

For Bell, this could be the start of his championship run after a string of mediocre races recently.

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Can Bell’s All-Star triumph spark a Championship run in 2025?

Christopher Bell’s All-Star Race win at North Wilkesboro has everyone asking: Is this the spark he needs for a huge 2025 Cup Series season? There’s no denying the momentum a million-dollar victory can bring. Bell didn’t just win! He outsmarted and outran some of the best in the business. That’s the kind of confidence boost every driver dreams about.

Bell’s season so far has had its ups and downs. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency has been elusive. In the 12 races so far, he has managed three wins, in a row nonetheless, but also has two DNFs to his name. Moreover, while he sits third in the driver’s standings, Bell has also led just 142 laps, significantly less than second-place William Byron (386) and leader Kyle Larson (817).

Now, with a big win in his pocket, Bell has a chance to turn things around and become consistent for the rest of the season. And, Bell’s team at Joe Gibbs Racing knows how to win titles. They’ve got the resources, the speed, and now, a driver riding high on confidence. The way Bell managed pressure at North Wilkesboro, staying cool, making the right calls, and executing flawlessly, shows he’s got the mental game to match his talent.

Of course, the Cup Series is a marathon, not a sprint. There are plenty of tough tracks and fierce rivals ahead. Bell will need to keep his focus and build on this momentum. But if he can channel the energy from this All-Star win, he could become a weekly threat for victory lane. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely.

Do you think Bell is the favorite to win the Cup Series Championship in 2025? Let us know in the comments!