T.J. Bell

Truck Series

TJ started in open wheel racing and was on his way to the CART Series glory but felt stock cars was his thing.

Right now, time is going to tell if that decision was the right one.  Right now he is mid tier in the Roush stable which is not good.  He could be better fit in an organization that will utilize his ability as a fast racers with nerves of steel.

Not sure how this is going to pan out for TJ but I enjoy watching him race as he likes to pass both high and low.  If Bell doesnt get a solid chance in the next few years, there could be several rides in the IRL as the trend tends to move the drivers to NASCAR

T.J. Bell’s racing career started out like many other drivers, on go-kart tracks throughout the west coast. Bell caught the racing bug early in life and quickly decided that his objective would be to become a professional racecar driver. His path to the ovals of NASCAR competition was different than most, but his determination was every bit as strong as his fellow competitors in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Bell graduated from his days of karting to the open wheel ranks of the SCCA. In nine races, Bell had seven podium finishes and one win. From there, Bell joined the national touring Formula Ford 200 Series, where he competed in 14 races. Bell added to his resume seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. His impressive record caught the eyes of watchful CART Series owner Michael Shank, who placed Bell in the driver’s seat for 12 races. He posted five top-10 finishes as the youngest driver in the series. Bell continued in the open wheel ranks, but had his eye on the stock cars of NASCAR.

In 2003, Bell made the jump to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He joined forces with struggling owner Phil Bonifield for a 12 race program. Bell finished the season 26th in points, despite running only half the season in underfunded equipment. In 2004, Bell competed full-time in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where he won Rookie of the Year honors and finished third in points. Bell made impressions on several car and truck owners, who placed him in various Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Busch Series rides over the next two years.

In 2007, Bell and longtime supporter Heathcliff’s Cat Litter came to Roush Fenway Racing for a 15 race program in the No. 50 Ford F-150. Bell knows opportunities like this do not come often, and looks forward to making the most of it.

“This is easily the best opportunity I’ve ever had,” said Bell. “I’m really looking forward to driving good equipment and getting everything out of it. Roush Fenway Racing has such a large organization with many talented people, and I look forward to learning everything I can from everyone in the organization. The No. 50 team has already shown in 2007 that they are bringing strong trucks to the track, and I can’t wait to contribute to their impressive results.”