Skip to main content
Join Now
NASCAR Logo

Christopher Bell advances in NASCAR Playoffs after Stage 2 at Charlotte Roval

JHby: Jonathan Howard10/05/25Jondean25
Christopher Bell
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Joining Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell has advanced in the NASCAR Playoffs with his performance after two stages at the Roval. It was a very calm and cool first two stages for Bell, and he has taken the points to advance to the Round of 8.

We have four drivers moving on to the Round of 8 already. Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney won in this round to advance. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell advance on points. Now, the final four spots are going to be fought over to the end of today’s Roval race.

It looks like Denny Hamlin and William Byron are essentially locked in without being officially locked in. So, this comes down to Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, and Tyler Reddick. Who can step up and do what it takes to advance?

Christopher Bell has four wins this season and has at times looked like the championship favorite. His three wins in the first month of the season were very impressive. Then he failed to close races out. After his win at Las Vegas, Bell didn’t win again until the Bristol Night Race.

It was a long drought, but now, Bell appears to be in top shape again. He has four straight top-10s going into the race today and is set to pull off another top-five finish if he keeps it up. He’s been excellent today and could be the only driver able to beat Shane van Gisbergen today.

The consistency from Bell has been there. Now, he has to execute and put pressure on these other drivers for wins.

Christopher Bell gaining momentum into Round of 8

If you are a fan of the 20 team, you have to be feeling confident about the chances they have to win he championship. Yes, anything can happen. But Bell won at Phoenix earlier this season, dominating the race and holding off Denny Hamlin on the final restart.

The only thing is, you could argue that Ryan Blaney and Chase Briscoe have looked just as good in the NASCAR Playoffs this year as Bell. All three drivers have won a race in the first two rounds. Now, with Kyle Larson seemingly gaining steam, it’s starting to get crowded in that championship race.

The Roval is going to deliver the drama. We have cutline drama and a race for the win unfolding in front of us. A late caution or two can completely change the playoff situation.