TJ Bell The Driver

TJ Bell “FAST FACTS”

Full Name:: Timothy (TJ) Bell Jr.
Birthplace: Reno, Nevada
Resides:: Mooresville, NC
Height: 5’ 8” (170 cm)
Hobbies: Wakeboarding, biking, soccer
Afiliations:

 

2008 at a glance...

  • Competed in 17 Nascar Craftsman Truck Series with TRG Motorsports #7
  • 7 Top tens in which 5 were consecutive.
  • Ranked #1 Closer for the entire season with 1,765 spots and 30 positions
    moved up.

Looking back: 2008's best
A quick look at the high points of the Nationwide, Truck series seasons
By Jim Utter
jutter@charlotteobserver.com

Friday, Dec. 12, 2008
"Most Improved Driver: TJ Bell. The native of Sparks, Nev., competed in 17 of the series' 25 races and compiled seven top 10 finishes, including five in a row at one point. It was by far his most productive season in NASCAR competition. Given a shot with a full time and fully funded team, Bell may well be the next big surprise in the sport."

Career Overview

2008

  • TRG Motorsports
  • 13 Races...6 top 10's, 3 top 20's
  • Highest ranked "closer" for entire season as of 10/18/08
  • 2007
  • Signed with Roush/Fenway for 16 of 25 races for Nascar Craftsman Truck Series
  • One top 10, 2 top 15's, and 5 top 20's
  • Finished 22 in championship points out of 60 drivers

2006

  • ARCA RE/MAX Series, Bobby Jones Racing, Dodge
  • Lack of funding forced to quit series after 6 races, 2nd Championship points

2005

  • ARCA RE/MAX Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Busch Series
  • Eighteen starts, with a best finish of 2nd at Salem in the ARCA RE/MAX Series
  • Four top ten, one top five finish in ARCA RE/MAX Series
  • Glynn Motorsports, NCTS, 1 race, finished 16th
  • NASCAR Busch earned respect and positive feedback from drivers such as Tony Steward and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  • Best finish in Busch Series was 22nd at Dover in the fall

2004

  • ARCA RE/MAX Series “Rookie of the Year” driving for Powertech Motorsports
  • THERMO-TEC Durable Driver of the Year with “Most Laps Completed” (96%)
  • Finished 3rd in series points with 6 top 5's and 13 top 10's.

2003

  • TJ Bell ran his first stock car races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
  • Ran a 12 race program
  • Finished 20th in overall points
  • Captured two “Raybestos Rookie of the Race” awards

2002

  • Drafted into the ASCARI factory line up at age 21
  • Raced in all five major classic Sportscar Endurance events in 2002
  • 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Lemans, and the Petit Lemans.

2001

  • CART Toyota Atlantic Championship - Price Cobb Racing
  • Drove in 10 races being one of the youngest drivers in the series.
  • Posted one top-three, three top-five and six top-ten finishes for the season.

2000

  • CART Toyota Championship - Michael Shank Racing
  • Drove in 12 races
  • Youngest driver in the series.
  • Posted five top-ten finishes.

1999

  • United States Formula 2000 Championship Series Cape Motorsports
  • Drove 14 races as the youngest driver in the series
  • Recorded four top three, seven top five, and 11 top ten finishes
  • Placed fourth in overall standings, third in Oval Crown Championship
  • Set a new USF2000 track record for fastest lap at the Mid‐Ohio
    Sportscar Course
  • Appointed as National spokesperson for “A Special Wish Foundation”
    helping grant wishes to children with life‐threatening diseases

1998

  • United States Formula 2000 Series
  • Limited to driving in just 6 of the series 12 races due to age regulations
    for under the age of 18

1997

  • SCA Formula 2000
  • Competed in 9 events
  • One win, seven top three finishes
  • Upgraded Regional SCCA License to National level at age 16
  • Received Dual Pro/National competition license, one of the first
    issued to a minor by the SCCA