History of Christopher Bell (racing driver) in Timeline

Christopher Bell is an American professional stock car racing driver currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). He drives the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE in that series and also participates part-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for JGR and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the No. 62 Toyota Tundra TRD for Halmar-Friesen Racing. Bell is notably the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

December 16, 1994: Christopher Bell's Birth

On December 16, 1994, Christopher David Bell was born. He is an American professional stock car racing driver.

1999: First series regular since Dale Earnhardt Jr.

In 2018 Christopher Bell became the first series regular since Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 1999 to win three consecutive races.

2007: First win for the Toyota Supra

Christopher Bell's win at Atlanta in 2019 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.

2010: Lucas Oil ASCS2 Championship

In 2010, Christopher Bell earned the Lucas Oil ASCS2 Championship, marking an early achievement in his racing career.

2011: Mike Phillips Memorial Micro-Sprint Car Race Win

In 2011, Christopher Bell won the 66 Mike Phillips Memorial micro-sprint car race, adding to his early successes in racing.

October 31, 2013: Joined CH Motorsports

On October 31, 2013, Christopher Bell joined CH Motorsports' sprint car racing program, expanding his racing endeavors.

May 7, 2014: First WoO Sprint Car Series Race Win

On May 7, 2014, Christopher Bell achieved his first career World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Car Series race win at Jacksonville Speedway.

July 8, 2015: Replacement in No. 54 at Kentucky Speedway

On July 8, 2015, it was announced that Christopher Bell would replace Justin Boston in the No. 54 at Kentucky Speedway.

October 29, 2015: Full-Time Truck Series with KBM

On October 29, 2015, KBM announced that Christopher Bell would compete full-time in the Truck Series in 2016.

2016: Full-Time Truck Series

In 2016, Christopher Bell competed full-time in the Truck Series, finishing third in the final standings with one win at Gateway.

November 17, 2017: 2017 Truck Series Championship

On November 17, 2017, Christopher Bell won the 2017 Truck Series championship by finishing second to Chase Briscoe and being the best finisher among the Championship 4.

2017: 2017 Chili Bowl Nationals Win

In 2017, Christopher Bell won the Chili Bowl Nationals, becoming the first Oklahoman to win the event since 1994.

2017: Truck Series Win at Bristol

In 2017, Christopher Bell won the Truck Series race at Bristol driving the No. 62 truck for Halmar Friesen Racing, marking his first win in the series since 2017.

2017: Pinty's and Xfinity Series Debuts

In 2017, Christopher Bell won the second race of the season at Atlanta. 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. In the latter, he joined the No. 18 of Joe Gibbs Racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of a seven-race schedule.

November 10, 2018: Won at ISM Raceway

On November 10, 2018, Christopher Bell won at the ISM Raceway, advancing to the Championship 4.

December 2018: Engagement to Morgan Kemenah

In December 2018, Christopher Bell became engaged to Morgan Kemenah, marking four and a half years of their relationship.

2018: Last Tulsa Shootout Win

Christopher Bell's victory in 2024 Tulsa Shootout in the Non-Wing Outlaw division was his first since 2018.

2018: Chili Bowl Win

In 2018, Christopher Bell won the Chili Bowl.

June 28, 2019: Contract Extension with JGR

On June 28, 2019, Christopher Bell signed a contract extension with JGR through 2020.

August 13, 2019: First World of Outlaws Win

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

September 19, 2019: Formation of CB Industries

On September 19, 2019, Christopher Bell and Chad Boat announced the establishment of CB Industries, a World of Outlaws sprint car team. The team will field the No. 21 Mobil 1 Toyota for Bell.

September 21, 2019: CB Industries Wins Jim Ford Classic

On September 21, 2019, CB Industries, in their inaugural race, achieved victory at the Jim Ford Classic.

September 24, 2019: Drive the No. 95 Toyota in the Cup Series starting in 2020

On September 24, 2019, Leavine Family Racing announced that Christopher Bell would drive the No. 95 Toyota in the Cup Series starting in 2020.

2019: Full-Time Xfinity Season

In 2019, Christopher Bell returned for his second full-time season in Xfinity competition.

2019: Chili Bowl Win

In 2019, Christopher Bell won the Chili Bowl, marking his third win in the race.

February 2, 2020: Marriage to Morgan Kemenah

On February 2, 2020, Christopher Bell and Morgan Kemenah got married, as announced on Bell's Instagram page, occurring weeks before the Daytona 500.

2020: Drive the No. 95 Toyota

In 2020, Christopher Bell drove the No. 95 Toyota in the Cup Series.

2020: Contract Extension Through 2020

On June 28, 2019, Christopher Bell signed a contract extension with JGR through 2020.

2021: Drive in the No. 20 at Joe Gibbs Racing

In 2021, Christopher Bell earned a drive in the No. 20 at Joe Gibbs Racing.

2021: First Career Cup Victory

In 2021, during his second race in JGR's No. 20, Christopher Bell scored his first career Cup victory at the O'Reilly Auto Parts 253 on Daytona's road course, passing Joey Logano with two laps remaining.

2022: Penalized to a 23rd-place finish

In 2022, Christopher Bell crossed the finish line in second place at Atlanta, but he was penalized to a 23rd-place finish for passing below the line on the final lap.

2023: NASCAR banned the move in 2023

At Martinsville during the playoffs in 2024, Bell ran against the outside wall in a move similar to Ross Chastain's "Hail Melon" to finish eighteenth, but NASCAR, which had banned the move in 2023, penalized him to 22nd place, the last car one lap down.

2023: Third-Place Finish at Daytona 500

In 2023, Christopher Bell began the season with a third-place finish at the Daytona 500.

2023: Restricted from Dirt Racing

In 2023, Christopher Bell was reportedly restricted from dirt racing by Joe Gibbs Racing due to concerns about injury risk.

2024: Third-Place Finish at Daytona 500

Christopher Bell started the 2024 season with another third-place finish at the 2024 Daytona 500.

2024: Restricted from Dirt Racing

For most of 2024, Christopher Bell was reportedly restricted from dirt racing by Joe Gibbs Racing due to concerns about injury risk.

2024: Return to Dirt Racing and Tulsa Shootout Win

In late 2024, Christopher Bell returned to dirt competition after JGR lifted the ban, marking his comeback with a win at the Tulsa Shootout in the Non-Wing Outlaw division, his first since 2018.

2025: Multiple Cup Series Victories

In 2025, Christopher Bell had a DNF at the Daytona 500, followed by three consecutive victories in the Cup Series. He won at Atlanta in a controversial finish, prevailed at Austin with a tire advantage, and secured a third consecutive win at Phoenix, marking the first time a driver achieved this in the Next-Gen era. Bell also won the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro. Furthermore, Bell and his spotter Stevie Reeves parted ways, with Matt Philpott and later Tab Boyd taking over spotter duties.

2025: Drove No. 52 Truck at Watkins Glen

In 2025, Christopher Bell was selected by Halmar Friesen Racing to drive the No. 52 truck at Watkins Glen in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, following injuries sustained by Stewart Friesen. During the race, Bell led 30 laps and ultimately finished in 4th place.