Bell claims washed out Coke 600
Christopher Bell has won the 2024 Coca-Cola 600 in a rain-shortened affair at Charlotte where Shane van Gisbergen finished 28th.
Only 249 of the 400 laps were possible in the day-night affair before inclement weather spoiled the show.
Bell was able to hold off Brad Keselowski and Will Byron to be the leader when racing was stopped.
The shower denied Kyle Larson the chance of at least racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600.
Due to poor weather the IndyCar classic was also delayed where the Hendrick Motorsports driver finished 18th after leading four laps.
As a result he only arrived at Charlotte just prior to the race-ending shower, ensuring Justin Allgaier was the only driver to steer the #5 Camaro and did a solid job, finishing 13th.
Van Gisbergen had a slow start and encountered a penalty for driving through too many pit boxes.
However, the Kiwi still made good ground, starting 36th to come home 28th.
The race had a fast start, staying green until Lap 88 when BJ McLeod spun on his own at Turn 4.
During this time pole man Ty Gibbs was in control, while SVG was the last to pit on Lap 50.
At the opening caution the major of the field boxed where Denny Hamlin suffered issues with equipment interference.
Van Gisbergen was one of six cars to stay out and was able to emerge 31st in the opening stage won by Byron, who overcame Gibbs in the closing laps.
Another long green flag run followed with Bell snatching the lead from Ross Chastain with a move down low.
A caution arrived for Ryan Blaney being stuck on pit road and this was the caution where van Gisbergen went through too many boxes.
As a result he had to restart at the very back of the field on Lap 165 where Chase Elliott hit the lead.
Noah Gragson spun after contact with Ricky Stenhouse Jr and many pitted, but not van Gisbergen.
At the restart Byron led away but he could not keep Bell behind on Lap 189.
Eight laps later Harrison Burton spin to bring Stage 2 to an early end before the engines went silent and the entire NASCAR community produced a special Memorial Day tribute to its service men and women.
Van Gisbergen’s strategy saw him rise to 27th at the end of the segment.
Bell and Byron side by side for lead at start of Stage 3, the #20 edged ahead.
SVG was now dow in 34th back on the lead lap, but the works his way up to 27th within 27 laps from the restart.
A spinning Corey LaJoie saw the yellows arrive again and the full field dived into pit road.
After the restart Bell had to get his elbows out to retain lead over Keseklowski, while Byron flew from fifth to third with a stunning move in the grass on Reddick and Gibbs.
But just as Larson was preparing to jump into the Chev, the rain arrived and heavy showers deep into Sunday night saw the Coke 600 cut short.
rack crews starting drying the track after a heavy storm blew through nearly midway through the third of four stages.
Competition officials indicated that “due to inclement weather, high humidity and the likelihood of resuming action after 1 a.m. local time with the track-drying process” that the race would be declared official.
Bell was crowned with his second NASCAR Cup Series win of 2024 and first in the famous long-distance race.
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to World Wide Technology Raceway for the Enjoy Illinois 300 next weekend.
Photo by Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / LAT Images
Coca-Cola 600 results
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