NASCAR Cup Series: 2019 Silly Season driver lineup prediction

Joe Gibbs Racing

Many rumors are swirling that Christopher Bell could potentially replace Denny Hamlin in the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota sooner than people think. However, despite the fact that he hasn’t won a race in almost one year, Hamlin should be safe for now.

Hamlin signed a multi-year contract last season to remain with the team, and he still was just a few laps away from making it to last season’s Championship 4 before Chase Elliott put him into the wall late in the race at ISM Raceway, the final race of the round of eight of the playoffs, as payback for their incident in the race at Martinsville Speedway, the first race of the round of eight. Hamlin almost made the Championship 4 even without a win in the playoffs, so he can still drive with the best of them, and he can do so on a consistent basis.

Kyle Busch is currently performing at a level higher than he has ever performed at. With how accomplished he has been throughout his NASCAR Cup Series career, it is hard to believe that he is still only 33 years old.

Joe Gibbs Racing have no reason to sign another driver to replace Busch behind the wheel of the #18 Toyota any time in the near future if he continues to perform at this level or even at a level that is half as good as the level at which he is currently performing.