TC Daily Pit Stop: Christopher Bell Makes Million Dollar Pass for All-Star Win; Joey Logano Miffed About Promoter's Caution, Race-Winning Move

TC Daily Pit Stop: Monday, May 19th, 2025

May 19, 2025

Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway lived up to its name and legacy, as two of the best drivers on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit dueled it out for supremacy in the $1-million-to-win showdown.

Defending and three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano was the class of the field throughout the exhibition event, but in the end, it was Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell that will be making a significant deposit at the bank on Monday.

The Norman, Oklahoma-native started the 250-lap contest from second after securing the win in Saturday’s second of two All-Star Heat Races. Throughout the entire afternoon, the driver of the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE remained in contention and flexed his muscles at several points throughout the race.

Joey Logano, who dominated the event and was looking for back-to-back wins in the NASCAR All-Star Race, had to settle for the runner-up position. Ross Chastain was also involved in the late-race battle and came home third, while Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott finished fourth and fifth.

William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Busch, Chase Briscoe, and Chris Buescher completed the top-10.

Joey Logano Miffed At Promoter’s Caution, Bell’s Race-Winning Move

For the second consecutive year, defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano looked to have the car to beat in the NASCAR All-Star Race, whether the No. 22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse was in the lead or battling for the lead against another driver.

The Middletown, Connecticut-native led a race-high 139 of 250 laps around the iconic short track of North Wilkesboro Speedway, but when it came time to cash the $1 million check awarded to the winner of the exhibition event, the Team Penske driver’s card was declined.

No matter the circumstances, when somebody loses out on a potential seven-figure payout, they are going to be upset about it. However, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is leaving the 0.620-mile short track with steam pouring out of his heat like a teapot.

“I’m pissed off right now. Just dang it, we had the fastest car. The Shell-Pennzoil Mustang was fast. I’m trying to choose my words correctly on the caution situation,” Logano said. “Obviously, I got bit by it, so I am the one frustrated.”