NASCAR Xfinity Series: Christopher Bell tipped to return to Joe Gibbs Racing

By Asher Fair | Oct 13, 2018

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 18: Christopher Bell watches on during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Production Media Day at Charlotte Motor Speedway on September 18, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

With Matt DiBenedetto having signed with Leavine Family Racing for the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season, Christopher Bell has been tipped to return to Joe Gibbs Racing in the 2019 Xfinity Series season.

Christopher Bell is one of the top NASCAR Cup Series prospects if not the top Cup Series prospect who is currently competing in the Xfinity Series. The 23-year-old Norman, Oklahoma native signed with Joe Gibbs Racing this season after spending two seasons competing in the Truck Series driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports.

The 2017 Truck Series champion has earned six victories in the first 29 races of the Xfinity Series season, and he currently sits atop the playoff picture heading into the second of three rounds of the playoffs, the round of 8, with just four races remaining on the schedule.

There had been a lot of talk of Bell potentially being promoted to the Cup Series for next season, especially given the success he has had in what is his rookie season competing in the Xfinity Series.

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However, it is unlikely that Bell will end up being promoted to the Cup Series next year. As a result, he has been tipped to return to Joe Gibbs Racing as the driver of the #20 Toyota.

Two key potential landing sports for Bell in the Cup Series next season were Joe Gibbs Racing and Leavine Family Racing. Daniel Suarez is set to leave Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2018 season ends, but while it has not yet been officially confirmed, Furniture Row Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. has been tipped to replace him. Furniture Row Racing have had a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing since the 2016 season, but they are set to shut down once the 2018 season concludes.

Kasey Kahne, who competed for Leavine Family Racing in the first 25 races of the season, announced in mid-August that he will not be returning to the sport next year, and he announced his immediate retirement from the sport earlier this week.

Go Fas Racing’s Matt DiBenedetto is set to replace him behind the wheel of the #95 car (currently the #95 Chevrolet but set to become the #95 Toyota since Leavine Family Racing are set to form a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing) next season.

At this point, Bell’s only realistic option as far as a Cup Series ride is concerned for next season is with Stewart-Haas Racing, but it has been heavily rumored that that is where Suarez will end up driving as the replacement for Kurt Busch, who has been tipped to sign with Chip Ganassi Racing as Jamie McMurray’s replacement.

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Do you expect to see Christopher Bell back behind the wheel of the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series season? Will he enter the season as the defending champion?

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