NASCAR Cup Series regular Christopher Bell showcased his skill in a thrilling overtime finish at the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Darlington Raceway. Bell, making a rare Xfinity Series appearance, narrowly avoided disaster on the first lap of overtime to hold off Cole Custer and claim victory.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver led 108 laps and started from the pole, but the race took an unexpected turn when Sheldon Creed passed Bell on Lap 139. Creed, seeking his first Xfinity Series win after a record 11 runner-up finishes, seemed poised for victory until a late caution on Lap 143 changed the complexion of the race.

A slow 15-second pit stop due to issues with the right rear tire dropped Creed to third for the restart, opening the door for Bell. In a heart-stopping moment, Bell and Custer made contact on the backstretch during overtime, nearly sending Bell into the inside wall. Both drivers managed to recover, with Bell maintaining his lead to the checkered flag.

“That was wild, for sure,” Bell remarked post-race. “I thought I was headed nose-first into the inside wall.” He added, “I feel terrible for Sheldon, to essentially win the race on the long run there and then lose it on pit road. It’s a big bummer.”

This victory marks Bell’s second of the season in the Xfinity Series, having also won at New Hampshire in June. Despite being a Cup Series regular, Bell’s limited Xfinity starts have proven highly successful.

Creed, visibly disappointed, reflected on his near-miss: “I lost one the same way a few years ago here. Man, I don’t know if we could be any better than that.” Despite leading 30 laps and showcasing a strong performance, Creed had to settle for third place.

The race also had implications for the Xfinity Series playoffs. Sammy Smith’s fifth-place finish moved him ahead of Ryan Sieg in the standings, now leading by 10 points for the final playoff spot with three races remaining in the regular season.

Notable finishers included fellow Cup Series driver Chase Elliott in fourth and Shane van Gisbergen in seventh. Bell’s victory, while impressive, does not impact the Xfinity Series standings due to his status as a Cup Series regular.

Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images