Bell, No Surprise, Impressive In Dirt Modified Debut At Georgetown

Bell, No Surprise, Impressive In Dirt Modified Debut At Georgetown
By LEN SAMMONS
On Sunday, Christopher Bell would race for a $1 million top prize in the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway. The defending race winner, however, arrived in Delaware three days earlier to race a dirt big-block Modified at Georgetown Speedway for a top prize of $7,500 – it certainly wasn’t for the money.
“I had a blast, bummed that I fell back to sixth at the end, because I had so much fun driving up to fifth and I could see Stewart (Friesen) up ahead in second,” said Bell after his successful Modified debut.
“Upset I lost that top five, but it was a ton of fun. The car got loose, the track changed as the race went on. Felt really strong early and through the middle section.”
Bell who loves to race, has always wanted to drive a Northeast dirt Modified, and when Friesen offered him the chance to be his teammate, he jumped at it.
“Ever since I’ve gotten hooked up with Stewart, who is king of these cars, we’ve talked about me driving one,” said Bell, who originally was going to make his Modified debut in Florida in February.
“I actually fitted my seat in the car a long time ago, but we didn’t get to do it. So tonight was a long time in the making.”
A proven winner in dirt Sprint Cars and Midgets, Friesen – one of dirt Modified racing’s biggest winners – knew it wouldn’t take Bell long to adapt to the center-steer car, but they met a day before the race at Georgetown to get him feeling comfortable in the car and to run a few private practice sessions.
“I have driven Sprints, Midgets, and Micro Sprints on dirt. Tested a Late Model one time, which this is a bit similar to, somewhat of a cross between that and an open-wheel car,” said Bell.
“It drives like a Late Model on entry, but a (USAC) Silver Crown car on exit.”
After a lap or two to get acquainted with the Modified’s unique feel, Bell quickly found a fast pace. In the final laps run behind Friesen on Tuesday, he kept pace, and it was obvious he would be a factor on race day that followed on Wednesday.
Bell’s equipment unquestionably was as good as Friesen’s, with the crew, led by Tommy Conroy, jumping back and forth on both cars. The No. 44 Bell drove was renumbered No. 62 to match the NASCAR Truck he took to victory lane as Friesen’s teammate earlier this year at Bristol.
It was the same Modified chassis and engine Friesen used to win at the DIRTcar Nationals in Florida in February at Volusia Speedway Park. Friesen drove an identical Bicknell chassis, using a completely rebuilt motor that was last in a car when he was seriously injured in a season-ending crash in Quebec last season.
“This team is amazing, the very best at what they do,” said Bell.
Bell’s debut wasn’t just at any event, but a Super DIRTcar Series race against the very best in Modified competition. As expected, he was a crowd favorite and spent considerable time signing autographs and posing for photos for fans who had pit access all night.
As expected, he was fast on race day. After the 42 Modifieds completed hot laps, Friesen was fourth quick and Bell eighth. In group qualifying, Bell was sixth of 21 in his flight, and Friesen was seventh. Friesen finished second in his heat, Bell third, but both made the redraw for a top-12 starting spot in the feature.
“Obviously, the car is really fast and really fun to drive. My goal tonight was to make the race, so I’m really happy I’m in the show. Hopefully, I can finish all the laps in the feature and be competitive,” said Bell prior to the feature.
“I think I’m getting better at it. I showed promise for sure in the heat race, but I need to work on keeping it rotating. I keep getting tight and pushing the nose, and not able to make consistent laps.”
After impressively rim-riding to finish third in his heat race, Bell stayed in the car for over five minutes and discussed what he was feeling with Friesen, who took an active part in helping him all night.
“I was trying to figure out what I could do better. I’m hoping he (Friesen) wins this thing and I can drive up there to second. That would be a great night,” said Bell. “I told him what I felt, but honestly, it was super fast; I just have to learn how to drive it.”
Showing no favoritism to the NASCAR Cup Series star, Bell picked the highest number, 12, in the redraw and finished sixth. Friesen started third and finished second to his protégé, Alex Yankowski.
Bell didn’t make a six-figure payout. Sixth paid $1,500. It would have been $2,000 had he finished fifth, but he was passed for that position on the final lap by Billy Pauch Jr., a regular at the track who had won the only two prior Modified features held there so far this season.
“I’d love to do this again, it will all depend on the schedule,” said Bell.
Ironically, Bell had passed Pauch in his heat race to earn the final redraw spot, not knowing who he was. Pauch had to start 16th in the feature because of that pass, but rebounded to pass Bell on the final lap to finish fifth.
“I got no idea who I’m racing with to be honest,” said Bell after his heat race.
Today’s dirt Modifieds, with their four-coil suspension and left-side panhard bar, are considered by many as giving a rough, bouncing ride. Bell didn’t get that impression.
“They drive around really smooth, it got my attention a little bit the way the track was, but I guess I don’t know any better, I was just out there making laps,” said Bell.
On Friday, Bell was back as Friesen’s teammate in the No. 62 Halmar Friesen Racing NASCAR Craftsman Truck, finishing fifth while Friesen was 11th. The rest of the weekend was spent chasing a million dollars on Sunday, with practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and the All-Star Race, which he won last year at North Wilkesboro, N.C., on Sunday at Dover.
“It’s been a disappointing (Cup) season so far, so I need a good finish,” said Bell on Saturday before qualifying.
“Dover has always been a good track for me, so hopefully we can do well.”
Bell ran several 410 Sprint Car events last year, driving for the Pennsylvania-based Don Kreitz No. 69 race team. Of late, his focus has been on making sure his day job with Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota gets back out front in NASCAR competition.
“I’m hoping to get back behind the wheel of a Sprint Car shortly, but there is nothing on my schedule right now,” said Bell, who had no plans to compete on Tuesday at the High Limit event at Pennsylvania’s Grandview Speedway.
“I love Donnie, hope to get back racing with him soon, the scheduling just hasn’t worked out with him yet.”