Bell opens Xfinity playoffs with dominant run

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Christopher Bell passed pole-sitter Austin Cindric for the lead after 85 laps and won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Richmond Raceway on Friday night.

Bell, the championship leader coming into the first race of the playoffs, won both stages and led 238 of the 250 laps for his seventh victory of the season. It was his 15th career win in 68 starts.

Cindric rallied to finish second, followed by Cole Custer, Justin Allgaier and Chase Briscoe.