Christopher Bell, who has been sharing the No. 62 Toyota for Halmar Friesen Racing in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, brought the season to a close with his final start at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The part‑time driver, also known for his 2017 championship pedigree, capped a modest campaign that featured a victory at Bristol Motor Speedway in April and four top‑six finishes in his first four outings.
A season in transition
With Bell’s part‑time schedule now finished, the team announced that Mike Christopher Jr. will take the wheel for the next event at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. It will mark the youngster’s second Truck start of the year, having previously made a debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the 2025 playoffs and stepped in for Bell after a sixth‑place finish at Darlington Raceway.
The move underscores a broader restriction that keeps full‑time Cup drivers out of the regular‑season finale at New Hampshire and from any of the seven playoff races, a rule that has opened space for part‑timers and rising talent. Halmar Friesen Racing, however, has yet to lock in a driver for the No. 62 Toyota for the remaining eight races, including the regular‑season finale and the playoff dates.
Adding to the uncertainty, veteran Wesley Slimp is slated to make his fourth start of the season at Richmond Raceway, while the team continues to evaluate options for the upcoming dates. The lack of a confirmed lineup reflects the fluid nature of the series as teams navigate limited sponsorship and the demanding schedule.