NEWTON, IOWA – JUNE 16: Chandler Smith, driver of the #51 Safelite AutoGlass Toyota, takes the green flag to start the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series M&M’s 200 Presented by Casey’s General Store at Iowa Speedway on June 16, 2019, in Newton, Iowa. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
TEMPERANCE, Mich. – Most sixteen-year-olds have the desire to get their driver’s license and take to their neighborhood roads, getting back and forth to school, maybe to a job, and of course, cruising through town with their friends. Driving at that age gives unprecedented freedom, and it’s seen as a coming of age moment.
SONOMA, CA – JUNE 24: Kyle Busch, driving the (18) Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing and Joey Logano, driving the (22) Ford for Team Penske head up the 2nd wave of cars around turn 4a after a restart on Sunday, June 24, 2018 at the NASCA Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 Race at Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, CA Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – New venue, new winner. First stop. First win. That’s certainly what a substantial portion of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field is hoping for this weekend at the season’s first road course event at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California.
NEWTON, IOWA – JUNE 16: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Ruud Toyota, poses with the trophy after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series CircuitCity.com 250 Presented by Tamron at Iowa Speedway on June 16, 2019, in Newton, Iowa. Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
NEWTON, Iowa — Christopher Bell knows a lot about long, dominant runs.
The seasoned open-wheel racer’s won the last three Chili Bowl Nationals in his native, Oklahoma — and Sunday led an astounding 186 laps of Sunday’s CircuitCity.com 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race while cruising to a commanding victory at Iowa Speedway.
NEWTON, IOWA – JUNE 16: Brett Moffitt, driver of the #24 Destiny Homes Smart Series Chevrolet, speaks during a press conference after being declared the winner of the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series M&M’s 200 Presented by Casey’s General Store at Iowa Speedway on June 16, 2019 in Newton, Iowa. Ross Chastain, driver of the #44 TruNorth/Paul Jr Designs Chevrolet, was disqualified after a rules violation. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
NEWTON, Iowa — Brett Moffitt shed his race suit. He simmered silently in street clothes, sipped on a beer, and stewed over what seemed to be a missed opportunity at his home state track.
Then strange, but welcomed news arrived — and that brew tasted somewhat sweet rather than extremely bitter.