NASCAR: Joe Gibbs Racing’s 2021 lineup solidified with Christopher Bell

Joe Gibbs Racing have confirmed that Christopher Bell is set to replace Erik Jones in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, completing their driver lineup.

After announcing that they would not be bringing back Erik Jones to drive the #20 Toyota for the fourth consecutive year in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, Joe Gibbs Racing have done as expected and confirmed that Christopher Bell is set to replace him next year.

Bell is a rookie who currently competes for the Joe Gibbs Racing-affiliated Leavine Family Racing behind the wheel of the #95 Toyota.

He sits in 19th place in the championship standings through 22 races with a top finish of fourth at Pocono Raceway back in late June and four other top 10 finishes.

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His average finish is 19.9, which is six positions better than his average starting position of 25.9. Only Gaunt Brother Racing’s Daniel Suarez has improved an average of more positions per race (8.6 from 34.3 to 25.7).

The 25-year-old Norman, Oklahoma native drove for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series before being promoted to the Cup Series ahead of the 2020 season. He won 16 races, including 15 as a full-time driver in 2018 and 2019. No other driver won more than eight races during these two years, although he was unable to win a championship. The 2017 Truck Series champion finished in fourth and third place in the 2018 and 2019 standings, respectively.

Here is what Bell had to say about the opportunity to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Cup Series starting next year, according to NASCAR.

"“I’m so appreciative of the opportunity I have this year with LFR and I want to finish this season strong for Bob (Leavine) and everyone there. At the same time, I’m extremely excited to return to Joe Gibbs Racing starting in 2021. It’s an organization I’m very comfortable with and have had a lot of success with.”"

Here is what team owner Joe Gibbs had to say about promoting Bell.

"“We are excited to bring Christopher into our Cup Series program starting in 2021. He obviously had tremendous success in the Xfinity Series with us and we look forward to his return to JGR.”"

With Leavine Family Racing having been sold, Joe Gibbs Racing were effectively forced to choose between Jones and Bell, and they opted for the latter.

Jones has not yet landed a ride for next year, although he has been rumored to several teams.

The confirmation of Bell behind the wheel of the #20 Toyota means that Joe Gibbs Racing have solidified their driver lineup for the 2020 season, as Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. are all competing under multi-year deals, driving the #11 Toyota, #18 Toyota and #19 Toyota, respectively.

Joe Gibbs Racing are the first four-car team to confirm their entire driver lineup for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. Other teams with solidified lineups for next year are Team Penske, Richard Childress Racing and Roush Fenway Racing, which run three, two and two cars, respectively.