TRUCKS: Bell Dominates Opening Stage At Iowa

Christopher Bell wins the opening stage in the M&M’s 200 at Iowa Speedway, Friday night. (Jeff Curry/Getty Images North America)

NEWTON, Iowa– After starting on the outside of the front row, Christopher Bell wins Stage 1 of the NASCAR Camping World Truck series, M&M’s 200 from the Iowa Speedway.

The Kyle Busch Motorsports driver had to battle fellow teammate, Noah Gragson for the top spot on lap 20. The Oklahoma native never looked back for the rest of the stage, leading the next 40 laps until the conclusion and was very happy with his truck.

“This thing’s a dream machine right now.” Bell said.”It’s pretty fun to drive so we’ll see if it stays that way once the sun goes down.”

Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Gragson, led the first 20 laps of the race, after winning the pole early in the afternoon and electing to start on the outside lane.

Current NCWTS points leader Johnny Sauter finishes the opening stage in third, with Chase Briscoe and Ben Rhodes rounding out the top five.

Ryan Truex, John Hunter-Nemechek, Justin Haley, Grant Enfinger and Austin Cindric round out the rest of the top 10.

The only caution flag that flew was for the end of the opening stage.

About the Writer

Rence Brown is Race Chaser Online’s West Coast-based correspondent, who currently resides in California and carries a deep passion for NASCAR, but is a follower of multiple forms of auto racing across multiple disciplines.