Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Christopher Bell (racing driver)

Discover the career path of Christopher Bell (racing driver), from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Christopher Bell is a professional American 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 the Cup Series and part-time the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for JGR in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. A significant achievement in his career is winning the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1994: Andy Hillenburg's Chili Bowl Nationals Win

In 1994, Andy Hillenburg won the Chili Bowl Nationals, the last Oklahoman to win the event before Christopher Bell's win in 2017.

1999: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Consecutive Wins

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

2010: Lucas Oil ASCS2 Championship

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

2011: 66 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 racing achievements.

October 31, 2013: Joins CH Motorsports

On October 31, 2013, Christopher Bell joined CH Motorsports' sprint car racing program, expanding his involvement in different racing series.

May 7, 2014: First WoO Sprint Car Series Win

On May 7, 2014, Christopher Bell secured his first career World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Car Series race victory at Jacksonville Speedway, marking a significant achievement in his racing career.

July 8, 2015: Replaces Justin Boston in No. 54

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

October 29, 2015: Full-Time Truck Series Announcement

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

2016: 2016 Truck Series Season

In 2016, Christopher Bell's Truck Series season included a terrifying crash at Daytona, a near-win at Atlanta, and one win at Gateway, ultimately finishing third in the standings.

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 highest-finishing Championship 4 driver. He concluded the season with five wins, fifteen top-fives, and 21 top-tens.

2017: Chili Bowl Nationals Win

In 2017, Christopher Bell won the Chili Bowl Nationals, becoming the first Oklahoman to win the event since 1994. He also secured his third consecutive Turnpike Challenge victory and won the Tulsa Shootout's Winged Outlaw Division.

2017: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship

In 2017, Christopher Bell won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship.

2017: 2017 Racing Season

In 2017, Christopher Bell won the second race of the season at Atlanta. He also made his Pinty's Series and Xfinity Series debuts, driving the No. 22 for 22 Racing and the No. 18 of Joe Gibbs Racing respectively.

November 10, 2018: Xfinity Series Win at ISM Raceway

On November 10, 2018, Christopher Bell won at ISM Raceway, advancing to the Championship 4 after needing a win. He finished eleventh at Homestead and fourth in points for the season.

2018: Chili Bowl Nationals Win

In 2018, Christopher Bell won the Chili Bowl again, marking his second win in the event.

June 28, 2019: Contract Extension with JGR

On June 28, 2019, Christopher Bell signed a contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing (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 formation of CB Industries, a World of Outlaws sprint car team, fielding the No. 21 Mobil 1 Toyota for Bell.

September 21, 2019: CB Industries wins Jim Ford Classic

On September 21, 2019, in the team's first-ever race, CB Industries won the Jim Ford Classic.

September 24, 2019: Bell to Drive for Leavine Family Racing

On September 24, 2019, Leavine Family Racing announced that Christopher Bell would drive the No. 95 Toyota in the Cup Series starting in 2020, with Jason Ratcliff as his crew chief.

2019: Chili Bowl Nationals Win

In 2019, Christopher Bell secured another Chili Bowl Nationals victory, becoming only the third three-time winner of the prestigious race.

2019: 2019 Xfinity Season

In 2019, Christopher Bell secured multiple wins in the Xfinity Series. He won at Atlanta, Bristol (also winning the Dash 4 Cash bonus), Dover (winning his second Dash 4 Cash bonus), and Iowa.

2020: First Cup Series Season

In his first Cup Series season in 2020 with Leavine Family Racing, Christopher Bell scored two top-fives and seven top-tens, finishing twentieth in points.

2020: Contract Extension with JGR

On June 28, 2019, Christopher Bell signed a contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) through 2020.

2021: Move to Joe Gibbs Racing

After LFR's final season, Christopher Bell earned a drive in the No. 20 at Joe Gibbs Racing for 2021.

2021: First Cup Victory and Return to Xfinity Series

In 2021, Christopher Bell secured his first career Cup victory at Daytona's road course and returned to the Xfinity Series at New Hampshire, winning after leading 151 laps. He finished twelfth in the points standings after being eliminated in the Round of 12.

2022: 2022 Season Highlights

In 2022, Christopher Bell had a 34th-place finish at the Daytona 500, accidentally struck a jackman during a pit stop at Atlanta, won at New Hampshire, and won at the Charlotte Roval to advance in the playoffs. He ultimately finished a career-best third in the points standings.

2023: 2023 Season Highlights

In 2023, Christopher Bell began the season with a third-place finish at the Daytona 500, secured a win at the Bristol dirt race, and won at Homestead to make the Championship 4. He ultimately finished fourth in points after suffering a DNF at Phoenix due to brake failure.

2024: 2024 Season and Playoff Elimination

In 2024, Christopher Bell started the season with another third-place finish at the Daytona 500 and won at Phoenix, Charlotte, and New Hampshire. He was penalized at Martinsville during the playoffs for a wall-riding move, resulting in his elimination from the playoffs.

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: 2025 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, followed by a win at COTA, securing back-to-back Cup Series races for the first time in his career. Bell then won at Phoenix, achieving three consecutive race wins in the Next-Gen era. In May at North Wilkesboro, Bell won the All-Star Race. Soon after, his spotter Stevie Reeves quit, and Matt Philpott and Tab Boyd took over spotter duties.

2025: 2025 Xfinity and Truck Series Races

In 2025, during the Xfinity season, Bell qualified on pole for the Darlington race but finished 25th due to an incident. In Mexico City, driving for Sam Hunt Racing, he suffered an engine failure. After Stewart Friesen's injuries, Bell drove the No. 52 truck at Watkins Glen on August 8, 2025, leading 30 laps and finishing 4th.