NASCAR: Christopher Bell to drive for Leavine Family Racing in 2020

Christopher Bell has been confirmed as Leavine Family Racing’s driver for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season following the departure of Matt DiBenedetto.

As has been speculated for several months, Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR Xfinity Series superstar Christopher Bell has been confirmed as Leavine Family Racing’s driver for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Bell is set to drive for the team with Jason Ratcliff, his current crew chief, serving as his crew chief. The team’s current crew chief, Mike Wheeler, is set to become the team’s competition director next year.

Leavine Family Racing switched manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota ahead of the 2019 season, and they formed a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing.

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Bell had been rumored to replace Erik Jones behind the wheel of the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota ahead of the 2020 season, but Jones was adamant that he and Joe Gibbs Racing were closing in on a deal.

As a result, when Matt DiBenedetto, Leavine Family Racing’s current driver, announced that the team would not be renewing his contract for the 2020 season, it practically made Bell a lock to drive the #95 Toyota next year.

In the meantime, Jones and Joe Gibbs Racing did reach a contract extension. DiBenedetto was then confirmed as Wood Brothers Racing’s driver for next year, as their current driver, Paul Menard, announced that he will be retiring after the 2019 season comes to an end.

Here is what Bell had to say about the opportunity to drive for Leavine Family Racing next year, according to NASCAR.

"“I’m really, really excited about making the next step here at LFR and hoping we can get kicked off on the right foot. I think having Jason along beside me…it’s going to be a really big advantage. He’s a great crew chief. He’s got a lot of experience with veteran drivers and we got to start our communication process in the Xfinity Series together, so there’s nobody else I’d rather go with than him.’’"

Bell also discussed what it will take for him to adapt to competition at the Cup Series level.

"“I think a lot of it will have to do with how well I adapt to the rules package in the Cup Series. The Xfinity cars, for whatever reason, fit me pretty well, so there wasn’t that much of a learning curve. But the Cup Series cars right now are drastically different than the Xfinity Series cars, so I think a lot of it will depend on how quickly I can pick that up.’’"

Here is what Leavine Family Racing team owner Bob Leavine had to say about the addition of Bell for the 2020 season.

"“It’s kind of like Christmas early. It’s a pretty special time for LFR. Everyone here…is all excited about our possibilities.’“It elevates [the team] with the talent, character and experience Christopher has and has gotten as he moved up through a very solid foundation. With the people surrounding him, with Jason moving over and Wheels still here and our people on the car will remain the same.’’"

Bell is set to bring sponsorship from Rheem along with him to the #95 Leavine Family Racing Toyota. Procore, which already sponsors the team, is set to continue doing so with the addition of Bell.

Bell was promoted to the Xfinity Series ahead of the 2018 season after winning the 2017 Truck Series championship in what was his second full season competing in the sport. He drove for Kyle Busch Motorsports in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and he won a combined six races, including five in his championship season.

After securing a rookie record and a series-high seven victories in the 2018 Xfinity Series season but not winning the championship, the 24-year-old Norman, Oklahoma native has been even stronger this season.

He has already won a series-high seven races in 27 starts, and with six races remaining on the schedule, he appears to be well-positioned to make another Championship 4 run and possibly win the title.

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The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season is scheduled to begin on Sunday, February 16 with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Christopher Bell’s next Xfinity Series race, the Drive for the Cure 250, is scheduled to take place this Saturday, September 28 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway roval.

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