Christopher Bell, known for his prowess at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, finds himself in the spotlight this weekend for reasons beyond his racing skills. As he prepares for what could be a dominant performance in both the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Xfinity Series events at the 1.058-mile track, Bell inadvertently made headlines during his Friday media availability.

When questioned about filling the leadership void left by Martin Truex Jr.’s impending retirement from Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), Bell accidentally let slip a piece of information that has been the subject of intense speculation in the NASCAR community.

“I don’t think that there is really a leadership role in that aspect, and whenever Chase comes into the car,” Bell began before realizing his mistake. Visibly flustered, he quickly attempted to correct himself, “Whenever someone — sorry. Whenever we have a new driver into the 19 car, whoever that is, their experience level will dictate how much input they have with the team.”

This unintended revelation all but confirms the rumors that Chase Briscoe is set to join Joe Gibbs Racing, likely taking over the No 19 car being vacated by Truex. While JGR has yet to make an official announcement, industry insiders have long speculated that Briscoe was the frontrunner for the position.

Briscoe, currently driving for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), has shown promise in his NASCAR Cup Series career despite the challenges faced by his team. With one win in 125 starts, many view Briscoe as an underutilized talent who could flourish given the right opportunity.

The 28-year-old Indiana native’s potential is evident from his impressive NASCAR Xfinity Series record. Between 2018 and 2020, Briscoe amassed 11 wins in just 83 starts, showcasing his ability to perform at a high level.

The move to Joe Gibbs Racing could be the catalyst Briscoe needs to elevate his performance in the Cup Series. JGR’s reputation as a championship-caliber team, combined with Briscoe’s raw talent, has the potential to yield impressive results.

As for Bell, his focus now returns to the track, where he aims to capitalize on his affinity for New Hampshire Motor Speedway. A strong showing in both the Cup and Xfinity Series events this weekend could help shift attention away from his verbal misstep and back to his on-track abilities.

While Bell’s slip of the tongue may have accelerated the timeline for this news, it has undoubtedly added an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming races at New Hampshire. As the NASCAR world eagerly awaits official confirmation from Joe Gibbs Racing, all eyes will be on both Bell and Briscoe as they navigate the fallout from this unexpected revelation.