Christopher Bell 2020 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
2019 Xfinity Series Stats: Points Finish 3rd, 8 Wins, 20 Top Fives, 21 Top Tens, 8.3 Average Finish, 6.1 Average Running Position, 2,005 Laps Led, 120.5 Driver Rating
In 2020, Christopher Bell is moving up to NASCAR’s top series and he’ll be driving the #95 Leavine Family Racing Toyota.
Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing) is heavily invested in Bell since he’s the future of the manufacturer, and I fully believe he’ll have all the resources he needs to succeed. Joe Gibbs Racing will be increasing support to the #95, and even his Joe Gibbs Racing Xfintiy crew chief, Jason Ratcliff is making the move up with him. That should help speed up the learning curve since Bell will be making his first start in the 2020 Daytona 500.
In 2020, I think there’s a good chance he’ll be driving a fully equipped Joe Gibbs car, which will be a difference from Matt DiBenedetto driving their “B” level equipment in 2019. To play it safe, I would view Bell as being in their “A-” equipment. No matter what, I think it will be a step up from what Matt DiBenedetto was provided with.
Last year in the Xfinity Series, Bell fell short of the championship, but he was arguably the best performer in the series. He won the most races (8), led over a third of the laps (34.6%), had the best driver rating by a healthy margin and had the best average running position (6.1%). Bell also had 22 Stage wins, the next highest driver only had 8!
In 2020, I think Bell will have a successful rookie season in NASCAR’s top series. I think he’ll be a borderline Playoff contender, but probably fall just short of advancing to the post-season. Rookies make mistakes, and not often have they made the Playoffs. Realistically, I think Bell will get a handful top fives and reach a double-digit amount of top tens. Also like most rookies he’ll probably get better as the season progresses.
Strengths:
In 2020, I think Bell will be at his best at flat tracks and intermediate tracks. Assuming he’s getting JGR’s “Good equipment”, I think they provide his best opportunity for him to be able to walk away with a good result.
Weaknesses:
In 2020, I think road courses will be a weakness for Bell. I’ve heard him express doubt on his abilities on that track type, and I think it will likely show in NASCAR’s top series.
I also think being a rookie is a notable weakness. Rookies make mistakes, and don’t always get a lot of slack from veterans.
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – B
Christopher Bell shouldn’t get overlooked at intermediate tracks in 2020. Assuming Joe Gibbs Racing is increasing their support, I think Christopher Bell is likely going to have some pretty good Sunday’s in 2020 on this track type. JGR increasing their support is vital because these were weak spots on the schedule for Matt DiBenedetto, the former #95 driver.
Last year at intermediate track in the lower series, Bell was a good performer. He won at Atlanta, Texas and Dover. That’s a good variety of wins. It covers worn out intermediate tracks (Atlanta), high-speed intermediate tracks where tire wear is low (Texas) and skill intermediate tracks (Dover).
In 2020 at intermediate tracks, I would typically view Bell as a low double-digit to mid-teens driver who’ll compete for top tens on a regular basis.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – B
Christopher Bell may very well be at his best at flat tracks in 2020, and I think he’s capable of running well at both the bigger and the smaller flat tracks.
Last season at the shorter-flat tracks (Phoenix, New Hampshire and Richmond), Bell ran well and won 3 of the 5 races. He swept Richmond, won at New Hampshire, and had problems in both races at Phoenix. I’ll note he certainly showed potential in both of those races in the desert.
At big flat tracks, Joe Gibbs Racing makes great cars, and I think that will greatly help Bell. Last year in the lower series he finished 5th at Pocono and at Indy he led 15 laps but crashed (Finished 29th).
Short Track Fantasy Value – B
Christopher Bell was a stout performer in the lower series at short tracks in 2019. Over the four races minus Bristol #1 where he wrecked, he finished in the top 2 every race. That’s impressive, but keep in mind the competition he’ll face in 2020 will be much tougher. This upcoming year I think he’ll compete for a few top tens, but realistically I think it would be wise to view him as a mid-teens driver.
Last season at Richmond in the lower series, Bell was a standout performer and won both races. In 2020, I think there’s a good chance he’ll compete for a top ten, but to play it smart I would view him a as low double-digit to mid-teens driver. (Yes, Richmond double dips with Flat tracks in terms of being a Shorter-flat track).
At Bristol last year, Bell crashed in the spring and in the summer he finished 2nd.
The Xfinity Series doesn’t race at Martinsville so you need to go back to his Truck Series days to see some stats on him there. In 2017 in that series he had results of 3rd and 8th.
Superspeedway Fantasy Value – B-
At superspeedways (Plate tracks), I think Christoper Bell is capable of sneaking in a good result or two in 2020. Last season in the lower series he was very successful and finished in the top 6 all three races. For the season he had results of 6th (Daytona), 3rd (Talladega) and 3rd (Daytona). Overall, on this track type in the Xfinity Series since 2018 minus Daytona February 2018 his average finish was 5.4.
Road Course Fantasy Value – B-
I’ve heard Bell downplay his road course racing prowess in an interview this year (2019). His results don’t show it in the lower series, but against much tougher competition in NASCAR’s top series I think there’s a good chance he’ll probably be a mediocre performer in 2020.
In 2019 in the Xfinity Series he had a great season at these serpentine tracks. He finished 2nd at Watkins Glen, 2nd at Mid-Ohio, won at Elkhart Lake and at the Charlotte Roval he finished 12th.
In 2020 at road courses, I’m just going to view Bell as a mid to high-teens driver and hope for the best. Between the three road courses in the top series I think he’ll likely be the most successful at Watkins Glen. It’s the least technical of the three and Joe Gibbs cars have been especially stout there year after year.
[Tweet “Christopher Bell 2020 Fantasy NASCAR Preview”]
