Christopher Bell has a problem a lot of NASCAR drivers would probably love to have — he keeps putting himself in position to win.
The problem? He keeps finishing second.
Bell has been one of the fastest and most consistent drivers in the Cup Series this season, but Victory Lane has somehow continued to stay just out of reach. Race after race, he finds himself right there at the end, only to watch someone else celebrate.
That has turned Bell into something of a running joke — the “King of Almost.”
And honestly, that’s probably not fair to him.
Finishing second isn’t a bad result, especially in a sport where one mistake, a bad pit stop or a late caution can completely change a race. Bell has shown that he has the speed to compete with the best. What he hasn’t been able to do consistently is turn that speed into wins.
That’s the frustrating part.
For a driver with championship ambitions, eventually you have to start closing these races out. Running near the front is great for points, but NASCAR championships are built on winning when the opportunity is there.
Bell’s recent run makes the situation even more interesting. He’s not struggling to keep up with the leaders. He’s right in the middle of the fight. He’s just missing that final step.
And with the playoffs getting closer, there’s not much time left to keep saying, “maybe next week.”
At some point, Bell needs to stop being the guy who almost wins and become the guy everyone else is trying to catch.
The good news for Bell?
If he can turn all those second-place finishes into victories at the right time, he could suddenly become one of the most dangerous drivers heading into the championship fight.
For now, though, the nickname sticks.
