“Chase Elliott to JGR confirmed”: NASCAR fans react to Christopher Bell leaking Martin Truex Jr.’s replacement at JGR in 2025

Christopher Bell has recently let slip the name of Martin Truex Jr.'s replacement at Joe Gibbs Racing. Almost instantly, he realized he shouldn't have revealed the secret so soon. However, when Bell mentioned "Chase", some fans thought that the driver could be Chase Elliott, whereas a few others opined that Bell had meant Chase Briscoe.

Martin Truex Jr. announced his retirement not long ago. Since then, there has been a lot of speculation about who would replace him as the driver of the number 19 Toyota Camry XSE. On the other hand, Stewart-Haas Racing is shutting down its Cup Series program in a few months, leaving drivers like Chase Briscoe looking for other options.

Currently, no rumor exists about Chase Elliott's potential exit from Hendrick Motorsports. Still, fans found it funny thinking that Bell could have been talking about Elliott joining Joe Gibbs Racing. Here is the video of the moment as posted on X by FOX Sports, Bob Pockrass:

Several fans reacted to the video, with one saying that Chase Elliott's move to JGR was confirmed.

"Chase Elliott to JGR confirmed," the fan said.

Another fan imagined a plot twist where Chase Elliott would join the Toyota team.

"Plot twist he was talking about Chase Elliot," they said.

Here are a few other reactions to Christopher Bell leaking the secret although probably, by mistake:

"LMFAO amazing - this is better PR than any formal announcement they would have done," a fan said.

"Someone tell the poor guy it’s okay, worst kept secret in NASCAR right now," another fan wrote.

"Chase Elliot leaving HMS? WOW," said someone.

"What?! @chaseelliott is going to Gibbs?! Is that how @KyleBusch gets back with @TeamHendrick ??" another one commented.

As of now, Chase Elliott leads the Cup Series grid on points and has 591 points to his name. The Dawsonville native is on his ninth full season in the Cup Series and has amassed 19 career Cup wins so far. His most recent victory came at Texas Motor Speedway in April as he ended a 42-race winless draught.

Chase Elliott reveals his allegiance to Hendrick Motorsports

Chase Elliott is one of the front faces of the Chevy team. The 2020 NASCAR Cup champion has never driven for another team in NASCAR's premier racing series. He made his 300th Cup start for Hendrick Motorsports in this year's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

In an interview from May, Chase Elliott expressed his desire to continue driving for Hendrick Motorsports for the rest of his career. Reflecting on the same, the 28-year-old said:

"I don't know how long my career will go, but I would love to spend it all here. This has been the only home I have ever known in my NASCAR career, which is really cool. I owe everything I have to Rick (Hendrick), the opportunities and my life, just every bit. It's been a lot of fun. To be able to call one place home and drive for one guy is a big deal to me."

"300 (starts) is wild to think about with a 38-race season. We've been around longer than you think," he added.

Elliott started driving for Hendrick Motorsports affiliate JR Motorsports in 2014. The same year, he won the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. Subsequently, Elliott made five starts on the Cup level for Hendrick Motorsports as the wheelman of the number 25 machine.

After driving the #24 car in 2016 and 2017, Elliott switched to the number 9 car which he drives today. His first win in the Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports came at Watkins Glen in 2018 after eight runner-up finishes.