Christopher Bell is returning to Super Late Models. Despite the Daytona 500 on the horizon, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is all set to compete on short tracks again after his entry was announced at the highly anticipated Clyde Hart Memorial. Held at the historic New Smyrna Speedway, the event is expected to draw fans from across the country, many of whom will be eager to see the Cup Series star in action at the ASA STARS National Tour’s season opener.

With Joe Gibbs Racing reversing its policy on drivers competing in other motorsports disciplines, a prominent Toyota insider revealed how Christopher Bell’s participation in the short-track event became a reality.

Christopher Bell is making good use of the off-season

Christopher Bell is making his long-awaited comeback to grassroots racing this year. With the blessings of Joe Gibbs, the Oklahoman will be competing at the Clyde Hart Memorial after a long time, as the team owner overturned the policy that prohibited its drivers from competing in non-NASCAR events. The 30-year-old is taking advantage of the opportunity, securing wins in both the Non-Wing Outlaw Division of the Tulsa Shootout and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Race of Champions at the Chili Bowl Nationals.

Speaking to FloRacing’s Brandon Paul, Wilson Motorsports’ GM, Bond Suss, revealed what went on behind the scenes to get Christopher Bell to compete at New Smyrna Speedway. The Toyota development program manager said, “He was at the sprint car evolution and we’ve been kind of talking all week. The way the week’s played out, knock on wood we’ve all had the same car at Wilson Motorsports so we can obviously field them an entry. All the great folks at Toyota got behind it and made it happen.”

Bell will be piloting the No. 20 Wilson Motorsports Toyota with the support of Mobil 1 for the Clyde Hart Memorial. Expectations will be high from the Cup Series driver, especially because he secured a victory at Volusia Speedway Park, overcoming rival Kyle Larson in the process. The driver has experienced plenty of success in Super Late Models in the past, winning the Rattler 250 at South Alabama Speedway as well as the World Stock Car Festival 100 at Winchester Speedway.

Despite his background in dirt racing, Christopher Bell learned the tricks of the trade of Super Late Models with Bob Suss. Their reunion isn’t a surprising one, as the Wilson Motorsports General Manager had revealed last year that he wanted the Oklahoman to drive a pavement super once again. Not bound by the shackles placed by Joe Gibbs Racing, the 30-year-old took the opportunity with both hands and will be eager to secure one last triumph before ‘The Great American Race’ begins at Daytona International Speedway.

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Bell looks forward to New Smyrna Speedway adventure

Christopher Bell is in excellent hands at the Clyde Hart Memorial. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Director of Competition Chris Gabehart will be serving as crew chief for the racer at New Smyrna Speedway. Expectations will be high from the Cup Series driver, even though his No. 20 Wilson Motorsports Toyota was being used as Cole Butcher’s backup in this week’s World of Outlaws. The 2024 Coca-Cola 600 winner will be optimistic about his chances, especially with Gabehart, a longtime short-track devotee and former CRA champion at the helm.

After the ASA STARS National Tour announced his entry, Bell said, “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to race in the Clyde Hart Memorial. I grew up racing at short tracks around the country and always enjoy coming back to race.” The Oklahoman will be one of 30 drivers competing at the prestigious event, which has featured several NASCAR stars in recent years. Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron won the event in 2022 and 2023, results that the Joe Gibbs Racing driver can take inspiration from.

It has been a busy off-season, but one that Christopher Bell can look back on with pride. The 30-year-old narrowly failed to make it to Championship 4 last year after the controversial events at Martinsville Speedway in the penultimate race of the season. This time around, the No. 20 Toyota driver will want to hit the ground running at the Daytona 500 and will hope his many exploits during the winter will give him some momentum going into the crown jewel event.

Do you think Bell will finally get his hands on the Bill France Cup this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!