CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Unlike in previous years, none of the frontrunners competing in this season’s NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs could—or were willing to—name an absolute favorite to hoist the champion’s trophy Nov. 2 at Phoenix.
In fact, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell, a three-race winner, said he’s feeling as calm as he’s ever felt entering the 10-race Playoff stretch that begins Sunday in the Cook Out Southern 500 at historic Darlington (S.C.) Raceway (6 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
