DUQUOIN, Ill. – Christopher Bell will be back at the Southern Illinois Center on Dec. 15 to defend his Junior Knepper 55 victory from a year ago, but with a different team than the one fans are accustomed to seeing him drive for.
Bell confirmed Saturday night following the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series Awards at the NASCAR Hall of Fame that he will drive a midget entry for Tucker-Boat Motorsports in the non-points special event that has become the traditional closer for the USAC season.
The Xfinity Series regular has driven predominantly for Keith Kunz/Curb Agajanian Motorsports in his midget-car career, but went looking for another ride for DuQuoin after Kunz opted out of competing in the season-ending crown jewel.
Ironically enough, it was team owner Chad Boat who the Norman, Okla., young gun passed to win last year’s Knepper 55, leading the final four laps en route to victory after a late-race restart.
Now, the duo will team up in hopes of adding another trophy to Bell’s ever-growing collection.
“I’m just excited to get to be able to go back to DuQuoin and run another race during the offseason,” Bell said. “I love racing and even if it is for a different team, it’s just a thrill for me to be able to go and get after it. Obviously driving for Keith (Kunz) means that you’re driving for the best in the business, but hopefully even in this new situation, we’ll still be able to go and have a great run.
“When I knew Chad was going and had cars available to run for this deal, it made it possible to hop on … and obviously, he almost won DuQuoin last year,” Bell added. “We’ll go out there and see what happens.”
Bell will drive the No. 81 Pristine Auctions Toyota in the event, while Boat will take a step back from driving and focus on his role as a team owner for a weekend, something he rarely gets to do.
In addition to Bell, Tanner Berryhill and McKenna Haase will also drive for Tucker-Boat at DuQuoin
“Christopher and I have been friends for a while now, and with Keith deciding to skip the race, things just came together to where between talking to my sponsors and those who support him, we were able to put it together,” noted Boat. “For us as a team, to have a very-established driver come in and not only compete for a win, but have a good time … is a cool thing all the way around.
“I think this deal justifies what we have put together,” Boat added. “Obviously, Keith has a great program and has been winning races for a long time, but I think the new program we’re establishing at Tucker-Boat … this makes a statement for us that Christopher was excited and willing to come do this.”
With many questions swirling as to why Kunz is electing not to bring any cars to DuQuoin, Bell offered his knowledge regarding his longtime team owner on Saturday night.
“It’s just very difficult for Keith to do DuQuoin, because when he goes (to the race track) he takes so many cars … and he’s already starting Chili Bowl preparations at that point,” explained Bell. “Between Christmas and New Year’s, it leaves him very little time to get fully prepared for Chili Bowl, with how important that event is.
“If it was a points race, he would be there, no doubt.”
Meanwhile, Boat hasn’t forgotten the circumstances from last year’s thriller in DuQuoin, but said that he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to field a car for Bell.
Boat is also looking forward to learning from Bell’s midget experience in his own right during the Knepper weekend.
“We definitely had a good car last year, and I think that’s something that gives Christopher a lot of confidence going into this year’s race,” Boat said. “Between that and the fact that we recently led the first half of the race at Turkey Night and raced with Christopher and Kyle (Larson) a good bit … I think we’ve really started to show the potential of what our team can do.
“When you can run someone of Christopher’s caliber, you do it, and I hope that we have a great shot to be celebrating in victory lane at the end of 55 laps on Saturday night. I think we can learn a lot about our cars from him and be even better prepared for future races.”
