NASCAR Cup Series: 5 drivers who could drive for Stewart-Haas Racing in 2019

Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell currently competes for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and he has done so since the start of this season. He drives the #20 Toyota, and he gives Toyota a ton of credit for getting them to where he is in his racing career.

That said, the 23-year-old Norman, Oklahoma native believes that he is ready to compete in the Cup Series, and it is hard to disagree with him. After he won last year’s Truck Series championship to cap off a five-win season behind the wheel of the #4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota, he is set to compete to win this year’s Xfinity Series championship as one of the four Championship 4 drivers in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Bell has set a new record for most victories by a driver in his rookie Xfinity Series season, as he has won 32 of the season’s 33 races. However, there are no seats available at Joe Gibbs Racing for the talented young prospect next season, and the team that are set to have a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, Leavine Family Racing, beginning next year have already confirmed that Matt DiBenedetto is set to be their driver for the 2019 season.

If Bell ends up being offered a ride by Stewart-Haas Racing, arguably the top team in the Cup Series, would he take it even though he would have to leave Toyota to join a Ford team?

Here is what Bell had to say in August about potentially making the move to the Cup Series, according to NASCAR.

"“Going into next season, I am set for another year of Xfinity, and there are no holes in the Cup side, so that’s what makes it difficult. But as far as what I need, honestly I don’t feel like I need another year of Xfinity. I think the best way for me to win at the Cup level is to get there and start trying at it. “Toyota was the one that really ‑‑ they’re the reason why I’m here. I would love to stay with them, and hopefully it works out in the future. The biggest thing is I’ve learned throughout my years, and especially in NASCAR, is you are only as good as the race car that you sit in. Right now I’m at the best organization that I can be at, so I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else, honestly. “Even if the Cup deal doesn’t work out for next year, which it looks like it’s not going to, I’m still going to be sitting in a really fast race car at a level in motorsports where I never really dreamed I’d be at. So I’m going to be thrilled either way. But I definitely ‑‑ like I said, I’m 23 years old. I feel like I’m at my prime, and I don’t want to waste another year if the opportunity comes to make the jump.”"

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Tony Stewart, who has a dirt racing background, has to have at least considered hiring Bell, who also has a dirt racing background. But will that translate to Bell, who has stated that he would be willing to race in any series next year, replacing Kurt Busch behind the wheel of the #41 Ford starting next year?