Christopher Bell walked into Victory Lane a year ago, arriving before his car when the Coca-Cola 600 was called due to rain. So began an up-and-down 12 months that sees Bell return to Charlotte Motor Speedway after his first All-Star Race win last weekend and looking to defend his Coke 600 title this weekend.

Yes, the weekend of racing was first-rate at North Wilkesboro, particularly during Sunday night’s main event, when door-to-door battles were more norm than exception.