NASCAR Cup Series: 5 drivers who Christopher Bell could replace in 2020

Matt DiBenedetto

Leavine Family Racing don’t plan to stop at simply switching their manufacturer from Chevrolet to Toyota and forming a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing in their pursuit of becoming more than a mid-pack or backmarker type team.

They have plans to expand from a one-car team to a two-car team for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, and they have never operated as a two-car team before.

Assuming Leavine Family Racing do become a two-car team next season, it is highly unlikely that Matt DiBenedetto, who they signed to replaced the recently retired Kasey Kahne ahead of the 2019 season, will not be one of their two drivers. Additionally, the team signing Christopher Bell would become a great possibility if this expansion occurs.

But if this expansion does not occur, DiBenedetto could be on the hot seat if Joe Gibbs Racing retain their current four-driver lineup and Bell stays within their organization and the Toyota organization in general, which he has made clear that he would like to do despite the fact that he has not committed to it.

Bell, who is set to turn 25 years old this December, justifiably does not want to return to the Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Series team for a third consecutive season given what he has shown he is capable of.

To avoid losing him to a rival team and manufacturer, Joe Gibbs Racing could put additional pressure (and money) on Leavine Family Racing to sign the talented prospect, even if it means he would have to replace DiBenedetto, who has performed roughly as expected in his first seven races driving for the team.

But then again, there is always the chance of Bell breaking away from not only Joe Gibbs Racing but Toyota as a whole.