In a dramatic display of patience, power, and precision, Christopher Bell stormed past Joey Logano in the closing laps to win the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The victory marked Bell’s first All-Star win and served as a bold statement from the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, who continues to emerge as one of NASCAR’s elite talents.
Logano, who dominated much of the race after starting from the pole, looked poised to cruise to an easy win after controlling the early stages. Team Penske brought a lightning-fast car to the short track, and Logano made the most of it—leading the majority of laps and fending off multiple restarts. However, as the race unfolded, tire wear and track evolution played into Bell’s hands.
Bell, who started mid-pack, steadily worked his way through the field, picking off contenders one by one. His crew executed flawless pit stops throughout the night, and crew chief Adam Stevens made the right strategy calls to keep Bell in position when it mattered most. With fewer than 30 laps to go, Bell’s No. 20 Toyota had clawed its way into the top three.
The pivotal moment came with just 12 laps remaining. Bell, running second, began to close the gap on Logano as the long green-flag run began to wear on Logano’s tires. Utilizing a slightly higher line through Turns 1 and 2, Bell found better grip and momentum. On lap 195, he made a bold move to the inside of Logano in Turn 3, sticking his nose ahead as the two exited Turn 4 nearly door-to-door.
Bell completed the pass with authority a lap later and never looked back. As Logano’s handling faded, Bell stretched the lead to over a second by the checkered flag, thrilling fans who had packed the historic North Wilkesboro venue for the return of the All-Star Race.
“I can’t say enough about this team,” Bell said in Victory Lane, surrounded by his jubilant crew. “We didn’t have the best car early, but they kept making it better. Once I saw Joey start to lose grip, I knew we had a shot. It feels amazing to win this race.”
For Bell, the win is a major milestone. While he’s already a playoff contender with multiple Cup Series victories to his name, an All-Star Race win adds another layer to his growing resume. Unlike regular season races, the All-Star Race carries no championship points—just prestige, bragging rights, and a $1 million payday. And now Bell can add his name to the list of All-Star champions that includes legends like Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson.
Logano was gracious in defeat, acknowledging Bell’s speed and effort. “We had a great car, and I thought we had it,” Logano said. “But Christopher found another gear there at the end. Hats off to him—he earned it.”
Behind Bell and Logano, Kyle Larson rebounded from an early pit road speeding penalty to finish third, showcasing the resilience that has defined his 2025 campaign. Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain rounded out the top five in a race that featured intense side-by-side action, multiple lead changes, and a healthy dose of short-track drama.
The North Wilkesboro Speedway, which was revitalized and returned to the Cup calendar in 2023, once again proved to be the perfect backdrop for NASCAR’s mid-season spectacle. With its rough surface and narrow turns, it emphasized driver skill and team strategy—qualities that Bell and his team mastered on Sunday night.
As the Cup Series returns to points-paying action next week, Bell will do so with momentum on his side and the confidence that comes from besting the sport’s top talent under
the brightest lights.
Leave a Reply