NXS: Christopher Bell wins playoff opener at Richmond Raceway

Christopher Bell won Friday nights NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff opener at Richmond Raceway.

Bell led 238 of the 250 lap race and swept each stage, earning his seventh victory of the 2019 season.

“That one was pretty special,” Bell told NBCSN post-race. “Going 92 laps straight there is really difficult man. We were sliding all around. I felt like if I could get to traffic I was going to be in good shape. Because my car could really move around good. I could run up, I could run down. Cole Custer was keeping pressure on us pretty good, but this Rheem Supra was too good.”

Rounding out the top five were Austin Cindric in second, Cole Custer in third, Justin Allgaier in fourth and Chase Briscoe in fifth.

Harrison Burton was the highest finishing non-playoff driver in sixth.

With his win on Friday, Christopher Bell secures an automatic spot into the Round of 12. Bell leads the playoff standings by 18 points over Cole Custer and Tyler Reddick.

Below is where the remaining playoff drivers finished:

Noah Gragson – P7

Michael Annett – P9

Tyler Reddick – P10

Brandon Jones – P11

Ryan Sieg – P12

John Hunter Nemecheck – P15

Justin Haley – P17 

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will head into Charlotte Motor Speedway in the running of the Drive for the Cure 200 on the Charlotte Roval at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Sept. 28 on NBCSN. Stage 1 Winner: Christopher Bell Stage 2 Winner: Christopher Bell

Matthew Jackson
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