NASCAR Cup Series

Bell tops New Hampshire field for 2nd straight Xfinity win

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:04 p.m. ET

LOUDON, N.H. (AP) Christopher Bell held off hard-charging Cup champion Brad Keselowski over the final 18 laps at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to win his second straight Xfinity Series race.

Keselowski had won the pole Saturday but was dropped to the rear of the field because he was late to the mandatory drivers meeting. It proved to be nothing more than a mild inconvenience for Keselowski in the No. 22 Ford. He stormed past the second-tier regulars and had his fourth straight Xfinity win in sight.

Bell topped Cup star Kyle Busch to win last week's race at Kentucky Speedway and he followed up in the No. 20 Toyota by keeping Keselowski behind him down the stretch for his third win this season.

The 23-year-old Bell, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, had the fresh tires that Keselowski needed and that was enough to find victory lane. Bell gave his checkered flag to a young fan in the stands.