Christopher Bell may have accidentally confirmed his next driver change ahead of the 2025 NASCAR season. Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 car needs a driver next season after Martin Truex Jr. announced his retirement last week.
With Stewart-Haas Racing shutting down after the season, no official announcement has been made about Truex’s replacement, but Chase Briscoe’s name has been floated as a leading candidate to replace Truex. And Bell made that very clear on Friday before being busted during a press conference at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Here, watch Bell’s reaction when it was mentioned that “Chase” would be the next driver of the No. 19 car. Oops.
Kyle Larson mocked Bell’s gaffe because Chase Elliott was the only other “Chase” in the Cup Series field. No, Elliott isn’t leaving Hendrick Motorsports after the season.
Truex, 43, was one of the Cup Series’ best drivers of the past decade. He won 33 races since the start of the 2016 season and won the Cup Series title in 2017. He spent the final six seasons of his career with JGR after Furniture Row Motorsports closed, and he and Bell were teammates in the Cup Series for the past five seasons.
Following Truex’s retirement, there will be only three full-time drivers in their 40s when the 2025 Cup Series season begins in February. Briscoe, 30, sits 17th in the points standings this season with one career win.
He was ninth in 2022 but had a down season in 2023, when the team was hit with a large points penalty. Briscoe is currently the highest-ranked SHR driver in the points standings, ahead of Josh Berry, Noah Gragson and Ryan Preece. Of those three drivers, formal driver contracts for next season have yet to be agreed.
Christopher Bell Accidentally Confirms Joe Gibbs’ Secret Replacement for Martin Truex Jr’s
So the cat is out of the bag after all! Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell has revealed the team’s new driver to replace Martin Truex Jr. During a scheduled press conference before Sunday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Bell withheld Chase Birzko’s name when answering questions.
Bell was asked about his role in leading the team after MTJ’s departure. While trying to explain his role, he inadvertently talked about Birzko joining the team. “I don’t think there’s really leadership in this regard, and whenever Chase (Brisco) comes in,” he said, even trying to take back his words, “Anytime, anytime we have a new driver.” But now the whole room and the NASCAR community knew Brisco would be there to start the 2025 season, when they switch to JGR.
This may end speculation over Chase Briscoe’s next team – he’s been rumored to be moving to Wood Brothers Racing but now appears to have a deal in place – and it makes the situation clearer regarding the future of other SHR drivers.
