NASCAR Cup Series: 5 bold predictions for the 2019 season
#1: Christopher Bell moves to Stewart-Haas Racing
The biggest future free agent in NASCAR is none other than Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Series driver Christopher Bell. Bell, the 2017 Truck Series champion, continued to impress race fans after winning seven races during his rookie season in the Xfinity Series.
After he finished in fourth place in the 2018 Xfinity Series championship standings, the biggest question surrounds Bell’s future. What does it hold for him? He has agreed to come back to Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2019 Xfinity Series season, but fans can’t help but ponder what the 24-year-old Norman, Oklahoma native’s Cup Series potential is.
Rumors flew late last season regarding what Bell would be doing for the 2019 season, but now they will have to wait for the 2020 season. Regardless of the time frame it may take to find out where the “next big thing” will land in the Cup Series, I’m here to throw out a very real possibility.
I predict that Bell will jump ship to Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2020 season.
There are a couple of factors that could play into this decision. The first of which is the current situation at Joe Gibbs Racing. They currently have the four cars entered in the Cup Series, which is the maximum number allowed.
Kyle Busch, arguably the best driver in the garage, is as secure as a driver could be to his current team. There is a zero percent chance that the driver of the #18 Toyota will be looking for a ride any time soon.
Next, we have Martin Truex Jr., who recently signed a multi-year contract with Joe Gibbs Racing. Clearly Joe Gibbs Racing team owner Joe Gibbs believes in Truex Jr.’s future, as the 2017 champion is securely locked in as the driver of the #19 Toyota.
The only possibilities for an open seat at Joe Gibbs Racing would have to in the form of a release of Denny Hamlin or Erik Jones.
The release of Hamlin, who has been with Joe Gibbs Racing as the driver of the #11 Toyota since the 2006 season, would be shocking considering his full season sponsorship from FedEx. Both Hamlin and FedEx are signed through the 2020 season, which would also delay this departure even if it comes to fruition.
As far as Jones is concerned, it seems wild to think that the young prodigy in the Joe Gibbs Racing stable could become an afterthought after the 2019 season, which is set to be his third season in the Cup Series. As I like to say, Jones was William Byron before Byron became Bell. Basically, Jones was the “next big thing” before Byron and Bell hit the NASCAR scene.
I just think there is too much potential in Jones for Joe Gibbs Racing to release him. His contract is up after this season, but if he can continue to improve on the race track, I would find it hard to see him being cut. Perhaps a rough season by Jones could help the team with this decision, but I foresee Jones making his second consecutive playoff appearance.