By Victoria Beaver

Joe Gibbs Racing announced Friday morning that NASCAR Camping World Truck series star and sprint car standout Christopher Bell will make the full-time move to the NASCAR XFINITY Series next year. 

The 22-year-old Bell is the current points leader in the Truck series with five races remaining in the playoffs including Talladega this weekend. The driver currently has five truck wins and seven stage wins.

Bell has found success in both the dirt racing world and in NASCAR, winning the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals in 2013 and the USAC championship that same year.

Bell will continue to race a Toyota when he moves to JGR -- he's just switching out his Tundra for a Camry. The driver has been involved with the Toyota Development Program since 2013 when he was still racing sprints full-time.

“All of us at Toyota and TRD are proud to see Christopher continue through the ranks as he now takes on the NASCAR XFINITY Series full-time with JGR for 2018,” said David Wilson, president of Toyota Racing Development. “Christopher has been a part of the TRD driver development program for many years dating back to his USAC championship in 2013, and he’s certainly been an integral part of our continued success to bring young drivers through the ranks of motorsports. Christopher has been successful in every form of racing and we’re confident that he’ll add his name to the list of drivers to put a Camry in Victory Lane.”

Bell has shown maturity beyond his years in both victory and defeat, which is what makes team owner Joe Gibbs confident in the young driver’s transition.

“Christopher has proven himself at every level of racing, and we are excited to have him run full-time in our XFINITY Series program starting in 2018,” Gibbs said.

In the JGR press release, Bell talked about his dedication to finish his Truck season strong with Kyle Busch Motorsports -- another JGR driver -- before the transition during the offseason.

“I can’t express how excited I am about the opportunity to drive full time for Joe Gibbs Racing in the XFINITY Series,” Bell said. “This has been a tremendous year for me and obviously I remain focused on finishing the Truck Series season strong and hopefully bringing a Championship to Kyle, Samantha, and everyone at Kyle Busch Motorsports. 

"I don’t think I could ask for a better place to take the next step in my racing career. I’m already comfortable with everyone at JGR, and I think the experience I have with them this year should help me at the start of 2018.”

Bell's car number and crew chief for next season have yet to be announced.