CREW CHIEF: Jason Ratcliff
TEAM: Joe Gibbs Racing
POINTS: Fouth
WINS: Seven (A rookie record)
LAPS LED: 759 (Series-best)
TOP 5s: 18 (Series-best)
TOP 10s: 20 (Tied for fifth most)
POLES: Five (Second most)
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Was the first series regular to win three consecutive races since Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 1999 … Swept the Richmond races … Won the fall Phoenix race in a must-win situation to advance to the championship race.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Recorded six DNFs for wrecks, including two in the Round of 8, setting up his must-win scenario in the final elimination race … Best finish of ninth in the series’ three road course races … His Phoenix win was his only top-10 finish in the final four races … A cut tire forced Bell to pit in the last 10 laps of the championship race.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2019: Bell will once again be paired with crew chief Jason Ratcliff as the No. 20 team tries to avenge losing the title to Tyler Reddick. It will be interesting to see if there’s any hangover for the team after coming up short.