Christopher Bell became the first NASCAR Cup Series driver to win three straight races in the NextGen car, holding off Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin by .0049 seconds to win the second-closest race in Phoenix Raceway history on Sunday.

Christopher Bell was just ahead of Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin after a late restart, in good position to win his third straight NASCAR Cup Series race. Another restart led to some tense moments,

Christopher Bell was just ahead of Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin after a late restart, in good position to win his third straight NASCAR Cup Series race. Another restart led to some tense moments — enough to make his team owner feel a bit queasy.

Christopher Bell was just ahead of Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin after a late restart, in good position to win his third straight NASCAR Cup Series

Christopher Bell prevailed in a dramatic side-by-side finish with his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin — the second-closest finish in Phoenix Raceway history — to earn Bell his third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victory this season,

With the two leaders side-by-side coming off Turn 4, Bell prevailed in the drag race back to the finish line to win by .049 seconds, the second-closest margin of victory in Phoenix history and the closest since the frontstretch was moved from what is now the back straightaway to the dogleg in 2018.

Christopher Bell secured his third in a row Cup Series race win at Phoenix, narrowly edging out Denny Hamlin who had something to say about the race.

"How about that one, race fans?" asked Christopher Bell confidently after the race. The post Christopher Bell Shuts Down NASCAR’s Blatant Ignorance With Bold Denny Hamlin Snub, Claims Insider appeared first on EssentiallySports.

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Denny Hamlin came into Sunday’s race at Phoenix hoping to improve on his start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, which included a pair of finishes outside of the top 20 at Daytona (24th) and Circuit of the Americas (21st) sandwiched around a sixth-place result at Atlanta.

Christopher Bell did the improbable on Sunday at Phoenix, winning his third straight race in the NASCAR Cup Series. He’s been absolutely on fire to start the season.