Coca-Cola Christopher

Coca-Cola 600 (373.5)

Christopher Bell secured his second win of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series campaign on Sunday night. Bell and the 20 team were deemed the winners after NASCAR declared the race official due to weather and unsuccessful track drying attempts after 249 of 400 laps. Bell, who was dominant and a contender for much of the abbreviated race, definitely deserved the win but ultimately had to wait out a 2-hour weather delay before the race was official. The win also came at a much needed time as the 20 Toyota Camry from Joe Gibbs Racing had fallen off quite a bit since his early season victory at Phoenix. The win also gives CBell his third consecutive multi-win season and another batch of playoff points that no doubt will come in handy later this season.

Unfortunately, the race will be marred by two bigger storylines than Christopher's win. One, weather and the reasoning to call the race early after significant effort to dry the track. And two, Kyle Larson's attempt at the double that fell flat due to weather impacting both the Indy 500 and the Coke 600. This is a huge letdown for myself and I would argue many race fans as the Coke 600 is one of the "Crown Jewel" NASCAR events, we were hyped up for Larson attempting 1100 miles of racing, and normally, we want to talk about the winner and the race. Not weather and NASCAR (or FOX or SMI) and their consistently inconsistent officiating and calling races early or not when weather impacted.

Now, I understand, those are great stories to discuss, it's crucial to get everyone's thoughts and opinions, and they need highlighted. BUT! We had a great 370-ish miles of racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway before Mother Nature intervened. I hate how such a good race will be reduced because of weather and a questionable decision by the sanctioning body. I have read some articles, tweets, and interviews, as well as listened to some podcasts from the weekend: what I think it ultimately boils down to is NASCAR being in a lose-lost situation. Call it early (like they very easily could have) and people lose their mind for giving up so quickly and not giving us a chance at racing any more. Or, do what they did where they actually tried and have it come up short due to the weather and lateness. Don't get me wrong: I had Monday off too and would have stayed up until 1 or 2 a.m. to watch the race. However, a lot of folks aren't in that boat and I am sure many teams and drivers had Monday (or part of Monday) off and racing until those wee hours of the mornings sucks for them. But what it boils down to is it sucks: a good race got cut short, we didn't see Larson at all in the Coke 600, and a Crown Jewel race was a letdown. The only thing I can see that would completely flip my opinion is if we learn that FOX gave up the broadcast essentially forcing NASCAR and SMI to shut it down. I doubt that is the case, but that would be atrocious of FOX given how poor their overall race coverage has been for the last several years. Ultimately, I give NASCAR loads of credit for trying. I was confident as soon the track was "lost" the race was going to get called. That, they did not do, and tried for hours to give us as much of the race as possible.

Indy 500:

This was the race of the day. It lived up to the hype and once again proved why it is the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Josef Newgarden pulled off a ballsy last lap, outside pass of Pato O'Ward to take the win in the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 - going back to back in the race and further cementing his legacy as an IndyCar great.

Of course, I was a little more tuned in that normal so I could watch Kyle Larson attempt the 1100 mile racing feat in one day. Sadly, it was early on in the day when we all realized the full 1100 mile racing endeavor was in jeopardy of happening at all. I, for one, am glad Kyle stuck it out and completed the Indy 500, and I am extremely bummed for him that he was unable to do both (or even get in the Coke 600 at all). The Indy 500 may be a once in a lifetime shot for him. Not to mention all the effort put into this effort my Arrow McLaren, Chevrolet, HendrickCars.com, and Hendrick Motorsports. I know he is likely doing it again next year, and I hope he does, but 2025 is no guarantee. 2024 was a guarantee to live out a dream. Now I just hope NASCAR approves his waiver to remain eligible for the NASCAR playoffs this season.

Yet, this race blew me away. And the coverage from NBC was exceptional as well. It was intense from the drop of the green flag. Several drivers showed strength early and often, and a few were in contention late to snag a career defining victory. Nobody is more heartbroken than Pato O'Ward, and of course, nobody is more elated than Josef Newgarden. The race would have been spectacular regardless of who won, but the late duel between Josef and Pato was the stuff of legends and had me on the edge of my seat as they closed into the Indy 500.

Overall, aside from Monaco (congrats Charles Leclerc), the greatest day in motorsports was still great, Sure, there were some things that went awry and left a lot to be desired, but those things were not (likely) in control of mankind. We cannot, and will not overcome Mother Nature. But the on the track product was phenomenal from green flag to checkered flag. It'll be a tough year to wait to have such an amazing day in motorsports again.

Now, NASCAR heads to World Wide Technology Raceway. A third appearance at the track this Sunday; partnering up the Craftsman Truck Series who get the party started on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. EST on FOX. The Xfinity Series is off in Portland for another appearance on the West Coast, and they follow up the Truck Series on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. EST on FS1. And the Cup Series caps off the weekend on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. EST on FS1 for the Enjoy Illinois 300.

Picks:

Cup = Kyle Busch

Xfinity = AJ Allmendinger

Truck = Grant Enfinger

Header Photo: Matt Kelley/AP Photo

Newgarden Celebrating: Alex Martin/Journal and Courier/USA TODAY NETWORK

Larson Indy 500 Photo: Mark J Rebilas/USA Today Sports