Christopher Bell Wins Pole for Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas

The 27-year-old driver set a blistering pace in qualifying to start first in Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:54pm

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Christopher Bell, a 27-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver, claimed the pole position for the upcoming Pennzoil 400 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bell posted the fastest qualifying lap of 187.156 mph during Saturday's time trials, earning the top starting spot for Sunday's main event.

Why it matters

Securing the pole position is a significant advantage in NASCAR, as it allows the driver to control the pace at the start of the race and potentially get out to an early lead. Bell's performance in qualifying demonstrates his strong form heading into the Pennzoil 400, one of the premier events on the NASCAR calendar.

The details

Bell, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, laid down the fastest lap of the qualifying session on Saturday, averaging 187.156 mph around the 1.5-mile Las Vegas oval. This will be Bell's second career pole position in the NASCAR Cup Series.

  • The qualifying session took place on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
  • The Pennzoil 400 race is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Christopher Bell

A 27-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver who currently competes for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

A 1.5-mile oval racetrack located in Las Vegas, Nevada that hosts several major NASCAR events each year.

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What they’re saying

“I'm really proud of my team for giving me such a fast car in qualifying. We've been working hard, and it's great to see that effort pay off with the pole position.”

— Christopher Bell (wn.com)

What’s next

Bell will lead the field to the green flag in the Pennzoil 400 on Sunday, March 15, 2026, as he looks to capture his first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season.

The takeaway

Christopher Bell's pole-winning performance in Las Vegas showcases his strong form and the capabilities of his Joe Gibbs Racing team heading into a pivotal race on the NASCAR calendar. Securing the top starting spot gives Bell an early advantage as he seeks his first win of the 2026 season.