BROOKLYN, Mich. – Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) confirmed Friday that NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) standout Christopher Bell is on standby for Monster Energy NASCAR Cup (MENCS) driver Denny Hamlin this weekend at Michigan International Speedway in the likelihood Hamlin’s girlfriend Jordan Fish goes into labor for the birth of the couple’s second child.
Regan Smith was on standby last week at Watkins Glen but was not needed. Smith is unavailable this weekend due to a commitment in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, where he’ll compete in Saturday’s XFINITY race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for JGR.
Motorsport.com reported that Bell was on standby at Pocono Raceway last month as well.
Bell, the Toyota protégé is in his second year of full-time Truck Series competition and has won four races thus far securing his placement in the post-season playoffs.
The Norman, Oklahoma native also drives for Kyle Busch Motorsports who will compete in Saturday afternoon’s LTi Printing 200 Truck Series race. The 22-year-old will make his second career NCWTS start from the famed 2.0-mile oval, but looks to recover from a 24th place finish last Aug. after being swept into a Lap 74 accident.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
