A part‑time schedule reshapes the lineup
Christopher Bell, a veteran of Joe Gibbs Racing’s Cup Series, has elected to run a limited slate of Craftsman Truck Series events in 2026, marking the most extensive part‑time schedule of his career since 2017. His three starts have all come behind the wheel of the No. 62 Toyota fielded by Halmar Friesen Racing, a partnership that produced a solitary victory at Bristol and included appearances at Darlington, as well as a brief stint by John Hunter Nemechek, who has piloted the same entry twice earlier in the year.
The win at Bristol stands as the truck’s only triumph of the season, and Bell’s involvement has also drawn attention from other series regulars such as Stewart Friesen, who competes for Halmar Friesen Racing, and the rotating roster that has included Wesley Slimp, Mike Christopher Jr. and Cory Roper.
At Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend, Bell will be replaced by Leland Honeyman Jr., a 21‑year‑old from Phoenix, Arizona, who has been competing full‑time in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series throughout 2024. Honeyman’s limited Truck Series résumé will be tested on a track known for its high‑speed oval and concrete surface, and he will become the sixth different driver to sit in the No. 62 Toyota this season.
Looking ahead
The rotating driver roster reflects a broader trend of teams experimenting with talent pipelines, with organizations such as Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Busch Motorsports, Halmar Friesen Racing, Young's Motorsports and Legacy Motor Club all involved in the series. Kyle Busch, the championship‑winning driver who co‑owns Kyle Busch Motorsports, is a prominent figure behind the team’s technical direction. The No. 62 entry does not have a confirmed driver beyond this weekend, leaving the lineup open for future changes.