During the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Brad Keselowski attempted a late-race bump-and-run on Christopher Bell, nearly resulting in a crash. Despite the aggressive contact, Bell maintained control and went on to win the race, marking his fourth victory of the season. This win also secured Bell’s advancement to the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs‘ Round of 12, highlighting the significance of this moment in the postseason.
Bell’s Resilience and Keselowski’s Aggression Under Pressure
After the intense bump by Keselowski, Bell held firm through Turns 3 and 4, crossing the finish line just 0.343 seconds ahead. The close finish demonstrated the sharp skills and split-second decision-making required in playoff racing. Both drivers pushed the limits of precision and competitiveness on every part of the track, illustrating the high stakes during this critical phase of the season.
Denny Hamlin Shares His Thoughts on Keselowski’s Bold Maneuver
On a recent episode of the Actions Detrimental podcast, Denny Hamlin expressed his shock at Keselowski’s aggressive driving style during the incident:
“I thought as hard as Brad hit him, I mean, I thought he wrecked him. I could not believe he had the balls to hit him that hard. Bell missed turns one and two; that’s what allowed him to even get close. That just tells you the advantage that leaders got. When second place hits you that hard and it doesn’t even move your car hardly, yikes.”
— Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver
Hamlin’s Challenging Night and Upcoming Playoff Implications
While Hamlin witnessed Keselowski’s daring move, his own night at Bristol was difficult, finishing 31st after a wheel fell off his No. 11 Toyota. This mechanical failure led to a two-race suspension for two crew members due to safety violations. Despite the setback, Hamlin remains a strong contender in the playoffs. The upcoming Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2025, is a critical race for playoff drivers like Hamlin and Bell, as they aim to advance further in the series.
Brad hit CBell HARD, but JGR still secured the first-round sweep. 🧹 pic.twitter.com/W3h9rW5bYq
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) September 16, 2025
