Christopher Bell arrives at Phoenix Raceway with momentum few drivers have ever experienced. The Joe Gibbs Racing star, fresh off wins at Atlanta and COTA, now eyes a third consecutive victory in the Shriners Children’s 500. No driver has won three straight in the Next Gen era, a testament to NASCAR’s parity. But Bell, the defending Phoenix winner, might just rewrite the script.
Points leader William Byron and reigning champion Ryan Blaney stand in his way. Both have strong Phoenix résumés, setting the stage for a battle of momentum vs. mastery.
Christopher Bell’s Phoenix Dominance Faces Ultimate Test
Bell’s 2025 season has been a masterclass in versatility. After surviving Atlanta’s drafting chaos, he outdueled road-course aces at COTA. Now, he returns to Phoenix, where he led a race-high 143 laps last fall and scored top-five finishes in both 2024 events.
“It’s harder to consistently keep an advantage,” said Chris Buescher, the last driver with back-to-back wins in 2023. “You don’t have as clear of an idea when you go to certain racetracks … it’s just harder to consistently keep an advantage over the field.”
The No. 20 team’s setup expertise could prove decisive. Bell’s 99 points at Phoenix last year led all drivers, and his adaptability — his 11 career wins span every track type –makes him a threat anywhere.
Yet, Phoenix’s abrasive surface introduces uncertainty. Tire degradation, which can sap two seconds per lap, demands precision. However, Bell’s late-race composure at COTA suggests he’s ready.
William Byron, Ryan Blaney Leverage Consistency To Challenge Bell
Byron’s 2025 stats scream contender. The Daytona 500 winner holds the points lead with a 10.0 average finish and has logged top-10 finishes in 17 consecutive Phoenix stages. His March 2023 Phoenix win and four top-six finishes in his last five starts highlight his comfort at the track.
Blaney, meanwhile, lurks as Phoenix’s silent assassin. The Team Penske veteran has seven straight top-five finishes at the track, including four runner-ups. Though winless there, his 5.5 average running position since 2022 shows his consistency. Blaney’s ability to manage tire wear, critical on Phoenix’s slick surface, could give him an edge.
Other contenders could play spoiler. Bubba Wallace, boosted by a season-high 41 stage points, seeks his third Phoenix top 10. Denny Hamlin, despite a slow start, has three top 10s at the track in the Next Gen car. And Michael McDowell, riding an 11.7 average finish this season, eyes a home-track breakthrough.
Ready to capture another Dub in the desert!
Can JGR get three in a row this weekend @phoenixraceway? #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/ru8rgj1vUC
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) March 6, 2025
But the spotlight stays on Bell. A win at Phoenix would place him alongside Kyle Larson (2021) as the only active driver with three straight victories. For Byron and Blaney, it’s a chance to prove parity still reigns — and that Phoenix remains anyone’s desert duel.
