Bell Claims First-Career Truck Series Win at Legendary Eldora Speedway

Christopher Bell had raced the half-mile clay oval of Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio several times in open-wheel cars, but he never dreamed his first win there would come in a truck. In only his third start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Bell made his dream come true dominating the race en route to claiming his first series win in his No. 54 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Tundra.

Bell qualified ninth, which lined him up second for his qualifying race. He easily pulled away from the field and won the 10-lap race, which put him fourth to start the 150-lap main event. Within the first 25 laps he moved into second place and took the lead by lap 42.

During the competition caution at lap 60 Bell brought his Tundra to pit road for his one and only stop of the night. After four tires and a wedge adjustment he lined up second behind Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski, who elected not to pit. Once the race restarted, Bell regained the lead and took command of the race.

Throughout the race Bell battled with Bobby Pierce, another driver with extensive dirt experience, but Bell’s Tundra seemed to be the class of the field. As the final laps wound down, he thought he was in good shape with a comfortable lead, but a late-race caution added an exciting twist of a green-white-checker finish. When the race resumed on lap 153 Bell took control of the restart and came to the checkered flag with a 0.761-second margin of victory over Pierce. Bell led 106 of the 154-lap race.

“This is just unbelievable,” Bell said. “I’ve been coming here quite a few times and if you would have told me two years ago that my first win at Eldora was going to be in a truck, I would have told you that you’re crazy. I just can’t thank Toyota Certified Used Vehicles enough, TRD, Camping World and all the fans for coming out tonight. This is just fantastic. I’m just thrilled to be here. I never would have dreamed I would be a NASCAR truck winner here at Eldora.”

Following Bell across the finish line were Pierce, Tyler Reddick, KBM’s Erik Jones and Daniel Hemric rounded out the top five. The No. 54 team moved up two positions to 14th in the owner’s championship point standings.

KBM PR