Christopher Bell (racing driver)

Christopher Bell
ChristopherBell2018Johnsonville180.jpg
Bell at Road America in 2018
BornChristopher David Bell
(1994-12-16) December 16, 1994 (age 25)
Norman, Oklahoma
Achievements2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion
2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Regular Season Champion
2017, 2018, 2019 Chili Bowl Nationals Champion
2015 Eldora Mudsummer Classic Winner
2014, 2017, 2018 Turkey Night Grand Prix winner
2013 USAC National Midget Series Champion
NASCAR Cup Series career
Car no., teamNo. 95 (Leavine Family Racing)
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
74 races run over 3 years
2019 position3rd
Best finish3rd (2019)
First race2017 Hisense 4K TV 300 (Charlotte)
Last race2019 Ford EcoBoost 300 (Homestead)
First win2017 Kansas Lottery 300 (Kansas)
Last win2019 O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 (Texas)
Wins Top tens Poles
16 46 12
NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series career
54 races run over 4 years
2018 position108th
Best finish1st (2017)
First race2015 American Ethanol 200 (Iowa)
Last race2018 UNOH 200 (Bristol)
First win2015 Mudsummer Classic (Eldora)
Last win2017 UNOH 175 (Loudon)
Wins Top tens Poles
7 41 6
NASCAR Pinty's Series career
1 race run over 1 year
2017 position48th
Best finish48th (2017)
First race2017 Can-Am 200 (Mosport)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
Statistics current as of December 2, 2019.

Christopher David Bell (born December 16, 1994) is an American professional stock car racing driver and a Toyota Racing Development driver.[1] He currently competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 95 Toyota Camry for Leavine Family Racing. He is the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion.

Racing career

Early career and dirt track racing

Bell's USAC midget at Angell Park Speedway in 2013

Bell began his racing career in micro sprints at I-44 Riverside Speedway in the early 2000s. He earned the Lucas Oil ASCS2 Championship in 2010 before winning the 66 Mike Phillips Memorial micro-sprint car race in 2011. The following year, he finished second in the Short Track Nationals at I-30 Speedway, a race sanctioned by the American Sprint Car Series.[2] In 2013, he joined Keith Kunz Motorsports in USAC racing, replacing Kyle Larson.[3] On October 31, he joined CH Motorsports' sprint car racing program.[4] Bell concluded 2013 as the USAC National Midget Champion. In 2014, he began racing asphalt Super Late Models for Kyle Busch Motorsports,[5] including competing in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. On May 7, he won his first career WoO Sprint Car Series race at Jacksonville Speedway.[6] As a Super Late Model driver, he won races at New Smyrna Speedway, South Alabama Speedway and Southern National Motorsports Park.[5] During the year, he won 24 USAC Midget races[7] and 26 total dirt races, including the Turkey Night Grand Prix.[8]

In 2017, Bell won the Chili Bowl Nationals, becoming the first Oklahoman to win the event since Andy Hillenburg in 1994.[9] Bell followed the 2017 Chili Bowl win with his third consecutive Turnpike Challenge victory, the most recent win coming at home town track I-44 Riverside Speedway in Oklahoma City. He finished up the 2017 season with a win in the Tulsa Shootout's Winged Outlaw Division.[10]

He won the Chili Bowl again in 2018 and 2019 to become only the third three-time winner.

NASCAR

In 2015, Bell made two NASCAR K&N Pro Series West starts at Irwindale Speedway and Iowa Speedway, driving the No. 54 for Bill McAnally Racing; he finished 15th and second, respectively.[11] In June, Bell returned to Iowa to make his Camping World Truck Series debut for KBM in the American Ethanol 200.[5] Bell finished second to KBM teammate Erik Jones in the race's practice session, and finished fifth in the race.[8] On July 8, Bell was announced as Justin Boston's replacement in the No. 54 at Kentucky Speedway.[12] Bell won his first career Truck race in the Mudsummer Classic at Eldora Speedway after holding off Bobby Pierce on the green–white–checker finish.[1][13]

On October 29, 2015, KBM announced that Bell would compete full-time in the Truck Series in 2016.[14] His season started on a terrifying note at Daytona, when on the final lap, Brandon Brown pushed Timothy Peters into him causing his truck to spin. His truck gripped the track, causing it to go on two wheels before it launched into the air and barrel-rolled multiple times.[15] The following week at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bell was leading the race on his way to win, when he blew a tire and crashed into the wall, ending his day.[16]

In 2017, Bell won the second race of the season at Atlanta after winning the first two stages and passing Matt Crafton for the lead with 16 laps remaining.[17] In May, Bell made his Pinty's Series and Xfinity Series debuts; in the former, he drove the No. 22 for 22 Racing at the season-opening race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.[18] In the latter, he joined the No. 18 of Joe Gibbs Racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of a seven-race schedule. He will also drive the No. 20 at Iowa and Richmond International Raceway before returning to the No. 18 to drive at Kansas Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.[19] At Mosport, he was the lone American in the field as he finished 23rd after suffering a brake failure.[20]

Bell's No. 20 Xfinity car at Road America in 2018

In his Xfinity debut, Bell got an impressive 4th-place finish despite being spun out early in the race by Ryan Reed. During his second start at Iowa, Bell won the pole and looked to be on track for his 1st career win already. Unfortunately, he was caught up in a multi-car crash late when he got turned while leading by the lap car of Ross Chastain following a crash between the lapped cars of Ryan Reed and Brennan Poole which collected Bell and Chastain. The previous night, in the Truck race, he was also on track for a win but dropped back late and finished 5th. At Kentucky Bell recovered from an early spin and outraced John Hunter Nemechek and Brandon Jones for his third truck win of the season and 5th of his career. Bell won his first Xfinity race in his 5th start at Kansas after catching and passing Erik Jones in the final laps. On November 17, Bell won the 2017 Truck Series Championship by finishing 2nd to his friend Chase Briscoe. Bell held off other Championship 4 Contenders Johnny Sauter, Austin Cindric and Matt Crafton. Bell ended his Truck Series season with 5 wins, 15 top 5s, and 21 top tens to win the championship.

Bell's No. 20 Xfinity car at Dover International Speedway in 2018

In 2018, Bell moved to the Xfinity Series full-time to drive the No. 20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing. Bell won his first race of the season at Richmond in April, holding off teammate Noah Gragson.[21] In July, Bell won three consecutive races at Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Iowa, becoming the first series regular since Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 1999 to win three consecutive races.[22] Bell entered the Xfinity Series playoffs by winning at Richmond in September for the season sweep of the track. With this win, Bell would advance to the next round of the playoffs.[23] Bell won his sixth race of the season at Dover in October, setting a rookie win record in the Xfinity Series.[24] Bell won at the ISM Raceway on November 10, advancing to the Championship 4 after being in a must-win situation after poor finishes in the two prior races at Kansas and Texas. Bell finished 11th at Homestead and 4th in points.

Bell returned for his second full-time season in Xfinity competition in 2019. He started with a sixth at Daytona, and the following week won at Atlanta in dominating fashion. The win at Atlanta was the first win for the Toyota Supra, since the Camry was the model used when Toyota joined both the Xfinity and Cup Series in 2007. Bell won his second race of the season at Bristol in April, where he also won the $100,000 Dash4Cash bonus. Bell won once again at Dover, winning his second Dash4Cash bonus. Bell won his fourth race of the season at Iowa in June.

On June 28, 2019, Bell signed a contract extension with JGR through 2020, though it is uncertain whether he will stay in the Xfinity Series or advance to the Cup Series.[25][26] In the following day's Camping World 300 at Chicagoland, Bell finished third but was disqualified after failing post-race inspection, relegating him to 38th.[27] Bell won races at New Hampshire in July and Road America in August, the latter of which was his first road course win in the Xfinity Series. In September, Bell won the first race of the playoffs at Richmond, advancing to the next round. In November Bell would win at Texas Motor Speedway and would punch his ticket into the championship round at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the second year in a row.[28] He finished the 2019 season third in points after finishing fifth at Homestead.[29]

Bell drives to the Winner's Circle after winning the 2019 O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway

On September 24, 2019, Leavine Family Racing announced that Bell will drive the No. 95 Toyota in the Cup Series starting in 2020. In addition, his Xfinity crew chief Jason Ratcliff will join him in the team.[30][31]

CB Industries

On September 19, 2019, Bell in conjunction with fellow racer Chad Boat announced the formation of CB Industries, a World of Outlaws sprint car team fielding the No. 21 Mobil 1 Toyota for Christopher Bell.[32] In the team's first-ever race on September 21, 2019 they won the Jim Ford Classic.

On August 13, 2019, the team won with Bell in their first-ever start in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series at Tri-State Speedway.

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Cup Series

NASCAR Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 NCSC Pts Ref
2020 Leavine Family Racing 95 Toyota DAY
LVS CAL PHO ATL HOM TEX BRI RCH TAL DOV MAR CLT KAN MCH SON CHI POC POC IND KEN NHA MCH GLN DOV DAY DAR RCH BRI LVS TAL CLT KAN TEX MAR PHO
Daytona 500
Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
2020 Leavine Family Racing Toyota 17

Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2017 Joe Gibbs Racing 18 Toyota DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL CLT
4
DOV POC MCH ROA
19
DAR KAN
1
TEX
6
PHO
4
91st 01 [33]
20 IOW
16*
DAY KEN NHA IND IOW GLN MOH BRI RCH
6
CHI KEN DOV CLT HOM
36
2018 DAY
39
ATL
3
LVS
2
PHO
4
CAL
21
TEX
2
BRI
29
RCH
1*
TAL
12
DOV
4
CLT
3
POC
36
MCH
11
IOW
2
CHI
12
DAY
3
KEN
1
NHA
1*
IOW
1
GLN
9
MOH
11
BRI
2
ROA
23
DAR
34
IND
7
LVS
4
RCH
1
CLT
5
DOV
1*
KAN
37
TEX
32
PHO
1*
HOM
11
4th 4026 [34]
2019 DAY
6
ATL
1*
LVS
13
PHO
30
CAL
3
TEX
3*
BRI
1
RCH
16
TAL
3
DOV
1
CLT
31
POC
5
MCH
13
IOW
1*
CHI
38
DAY
3
KEN
2
NHA
1*
IOW
2*
GLN
2
MOH
2
BRI
14
ROA
1
DAR
4
IND
29
LVS
2*
RCH
1*
CLT
12
DOV
25
KAN
12
TEX
1*
PHO
16*
HOM
5
3rd 4032 [35]

Camping World Truck Series

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NCWTC Pts Ref
2015 Kyle Busch Motorsports 51 Toyota DAY ATL MAR KAN CLT DOV TEX GTW IOW
5
27th 231 [36]
54 KEN
17
ELD
1*
POC MCH BRI MSP CHI NHA LVS
14
TAL
13
MAR TEX
8
PHO HOM
25
2016 4 DAY
16
ATL
26
MAR
19
KAN
4
DOV
3
CLT
8
TEX
32
IOW
9
GTW
1
KEN
4
ELD
2
POC
10
BRI
7*
MCH
24
MSP
5
CHI
4
NHA
2
LVS
6
TAL
6
MAR
4
TEX
11
PHO
7
HOM
8
3rd 4025 [37]
2017 DAY
8
ATL
1*
MAR
3*
KAN
4
CLT
3
DOV
25
TEX
1*
GTW
6
IOW
5*
KEN
1*
ELD
9
POC
1
MCH
2
BRI
7
MSP
26
CHI
3
NHA
1*
LVS
2*
TAL
2
MAR
8
TEX
3
PHO
8*
HOM
2
1st 4035 [38]
2018 51 DAY ATL LVS MAR DOV KAN CLT TEX IOW GTW CHI KEN ELD POC MCH BRI
28
MSP LVS TAL MAR TEX PHO HOM 108th 01 [39]

K&N Pro Series West

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 NKNPSWC Pts Ref
2015 Bill McAnally Racing 54 Toyota KCR IRW
15
TUS IOW
2
SHA SON SLS IOW EVG CNS MER AAS PHO 32nd 71 [40]
2018 Bill McAnally Racing 60 Toyota KCR TUS TUS OSS CNS SON DCS IOW EVG GTW LVS
10
MER AAS KCR 40th 35 [41]

Pinty's Series

NASCAR Pinty's Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 NPSC Pts Ref
2017 22 Racing 22 Dodge MOS
23
DEL CHA ICA TOR WYA WYA EDM TRO RIV MOS STE JUK 48th 21 [42]

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Racing Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Racing Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ARSC Pts Ref
2016 Venturini Motorsports 66 Toyota DAY NSH SLM
1*
TAL TOL 25th 1085 [43]
15 NJE
10
POC MCH MAD WIN IOW IRP POC
7
BLN ISF DSF SLM
1
CHI
3
KEN KAN
2017 25 DAY NSH SLM TAL TOL ELK POC MCH MAD IOW IRP POC WIN ISF ROA DSF SLM CHI
1
KEN KAN 72nd 240 [44]

References

  1. ^ a b Utter, Jim (July 23, 2015). "It's only the beginning for Christopher Bell". motorsport.com. motorsport.com. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  2. ^ Fenwick, Adam. "Bell Lands Kunz USAC Midget Ride". National Speed Sport News. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  3. ^ Weaver, Matt (July 15, 2015). "Toyota hopes to keep young NASCAR stars Erik Jones and Christopher Bell in the fold". Autoweek. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  4. ^ Elliott, Jeremy (October 31, 2013). "Young phenom Chris Bell joins CH Motorsports for 35 to 40 races". The Patriot-News. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c Weaver, Matt (June 10, 2015). "Christopher Bell to make NASCAR truck series debut with Toyota". Autoweek. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  6. ^ "Bell Earns First Victory". World of Outlaws. May 7, 2014. Archived from the original on April 28, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  7. ^ Christley, Jason (February 21, 2015). "Bell Outruns Burton For New Smyrna Victory". NASCAR Home Tracks. Archived from the original on July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Winkler, George (June 19, 2015). "Christopher Bell Scores Top Five in Truck Debut". NASCAR. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  9. ^ Associated Press (January 15, 2017). "Trucks series driver Christopher Bell wins Chili Bowl main race". USA Today. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  10. ^ Beaver, Dan (January 1, 2018). "Christopher Bell Adds One More 2017 Win With The Tulsa Shootout". Flo Racing. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  12. ^ Fesko, Sean (July 8, 2015). "MID-SEASON SWAP: CHRISTOPHER BELL REPLACES JUSTIN BOSTON AT KENTUCKY". Frontstretch. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  13. ^ Long, Dustin (July 22, 2015). "Christopher Bell turns in Classic performance to win Eldora Truck race". NBC Sports. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  14. ^ Utter, Jim (October 29, 2015). "Kyle Busch Motorsports' 2016 lineup to feature several newcomers". Motorsport.com. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  15. ^ Olsen, Jeff (February 19, 2016). "Christopher Bell being evaluated after scary flips in Daytona Truck race". USA Today. Daytona Beach, Florida. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  16. ^ "Blown Tire Ends Bell's Bid for Victory at Atlanta". Kyle Busch Motorsports. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  17. ^ Associated Press (March 4, 2017). "Christopher Bell dominates in Truck Series win at Atlanta". USA Today. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  18. ^ "Christopher Bell to compete in Pinty's Series season opener". Motorsport.com. May 11, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  19. ^ "Christopher Bell driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in 7 XFINITY race". Jayski's Silly Season Site. ESPN. May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  20. ^ "2017 Can-Am 200". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  21. ^ Pistone, Pete (April 20, 2018). "Bell Gets First Win of Season". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  22. ^ Staff (July 28, 2018). "Bell Wins Third Straight". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  23. ^ Pistone, Pete (September 21, 2018). "Bell Strikes First in Playoffs". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  24. ^ Pistone, Pete (October 6, 2018). "Bell Scores Sixth Win". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  25. ^ Albert, Zack (June 28, 2019). "Christopher Bell extends with Joe Gibbs Racing for 2020". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  26. ^ Waack, Terrin (August 15, 2019). "Christopher Bell on 2020 Xfinity or Cup plans: 'It's still all up in the air'". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  27. ^ Long, Dustin (June 29, 2019). "NASCAR disqualifies Christopher Bell's car after it fails inspection". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  28. ^ Shelton, Joseph (November 3, 2019). "Christopher Bell wins O'Reilly 300, Chastain finishes second at Texas". SpeedwayMedia.com. SpeedwayMedia.com. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  29. ^ Spencer, Reid (November 16, 2019). "Reddick wins Xfinity race at Miami, locks up second championship". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  30. ^ "Christopher Bell to compete in No. 95 with Leavine Family Racing in 2020". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. September 24, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  31. ^ Page, Scott (September 24, 2019). "Christopher Bell joins Leavine Family Racing for 2020". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  32. ^ Bell, Christopher [@CBellRacing] (September 19, 2019). "I've been looking forward to having my own car for a long time now and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Thank you @ChadBoat #CBIndustries for making it happen! Catch the 21 at the track soon 😎" (Tweet). Retrieved September 19, 2019 – via Twitter.
  33. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  34. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  35. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  36. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  37. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  38. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  39. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2018 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  40. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  41. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  42. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2017 NASCAR Pinty's Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  43. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  44. ^ "Christopher Bell – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 17, 2018.

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Johnny Sauter
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion
2017
Succeeded by
Brett Moffitt
Preceded by
Brad Kuhn
BMARA Champion
2014
Succeeded by
David Budres
Preceded by
Darren Hagen
USAC National Midget Series Champion
2013
Succeeded by
Rico Abreu
Achievements
Preceded by
Rico Abreu
Chili Bowl winner
2017, 2018, 2019
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Darrell Wallace, Jr.
Eldora Mudsummer Classic Winner
2015
Succeeded by
Kyle Larson
Preceded by
Dave Darland
Kyle Larson
Turkey Night Grand Prix winner
2014, 2017, 2018
Succeeded by
Tanner Thorson
Preceded by
Zach Daum
Pepsi Nationals winner
2014
Succeeded by
Rico Abreu
Preceded by
Jerry Coons, Jr.
Belleville Midget Nationals winner
2013
Succeeded by
Rico Abreu

This page was last updated at 2020-02-16 10:27 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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