Christopher Bell is aiming to make history by securing his fourth consecutive victory as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Las Vegas for the Pennzoil 400 this Sunday.
If Bell wins, he will be the first driver since Jimmie Johnson in 2007 to achieve four straight Cup Series victories. Only eight drivers in NASCAR’s modern era (since 1972) have accomplished this, with five of them later winning the championship, including Johnson in 2007 and Jeff Gordon in 1998.
Although Bell has never won at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he has come close, finishing as the runner-up in two of the last three races at the track.
Las Vegas serves as the first intermediate track on the 2025 schedule, making it an important test for Bell and his No. 20 Toyota, as well as the rest of the field. Since many races take place on intermediate tracks—including the crucial South Point 400 in October—this event will provide teams with key insights into their cars’ performance.
Bell, a standout driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, emphasized the significance of the Las Vegas race, explaining that it is the final track type they have yet to visit this season. He pointed out that intermediate tracks play a major role in the season’s points standings and that performing well in the spring race is crucial preparation for the fall event, which is part of the Playoffs’ Round of 8.
One of the biggest threats to Bell’s streak is Kyle Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, who has won three times at Las Vegas since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021. His first win with the team came at this track in March 2021, and he has since claimed victories in the South Point 400 in October 2023 and the Pennzoil 400 in March 2024.
Larson considers Las Vegas to be one of his strongest tracks since joining Hendrick Motorsports, having earned multiple wins and runner-up finishes there. He also enjoys the city’s entertainment and nightlife, making it one of his top three favorite races to attend.
Like Bell, Larson is eager to see how his car performs on an intermediate track, as the early-season schedule includes a superspeedway (Daytona), a hybrid track (Atlanta), and a road course before teams get a true sense of their speed on traditional ovals. He believes this race will be a key indicator of how the season might unfold.
Despite Bell’s strong start, William Byron currently leads the championship standings by 13 points. Byron kicked off the season by winning the Daytona 500 and has consistently performed well, finishing on the podium in multiple races, including Phoenix and the Circuit of the Americas.
Joey Logano was the most recent winner at Las Vegas, claiming victory in the South Point 400 in October 2024, which helped him secure his third NASCAR Cup Series championship.
