Christopher Bell, the driver of the #4 Toyota Toyota, practices for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Fred’s 250 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 13, 2017, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Jared C Tilton/Getty Images

Christopher Bell, a five-time winner and championship favorite in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season, is ready to take the next step in his career.

Joe Gibbs Racing announced on Friday that Bell will compete for the NASCAR XFINITY Series title in a JGR Toyota next year.

“I’m excited,” said the 22-year-old from Norman, Okla., who grew up racing on dirt and this year realized a lifelong dream by winning the Chili Bowl for midget cars during the NASCAR offseason. “One thing that Toyota has done a great job of is preparing me for the next stepping stone.

“Whenever I was running late models at Kyle Busch Motorsports, they were kind of trickling me into some truck races, and I think I got seven truck races that year before I went full time, and it worked out again this year where I’m going to have, I think, eight XFINITY races before I go full time next year. So that’s great seat time for me.

“I’m going to be able to be with the organization and kind of learn how they operate, and driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports, you already have somewhat of a feel for how they do things, and I think it’s a great fit and the perfect stepping stone.”