Photo Credit: IndyCar/IMS
The most accomplished driver amongst the current group of Indianapolis 500 one-off runners is expected to take the reigns this May, of perhaps the most competitive he has ever driven at the Brickyard. According to reports, Townsend Bell, a regular in the GT Daytona division of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship circuit and also known as an analyst on NBC Sports Network IndyCar broadcasts in recent years is expected to drive a fifth car in the 100th edition of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing for Andretti Autosport, a squad who recently won the Indy 500 with Ryan Hunter-Reay in 2014.
If Bell is indeed added to Andretti Autosport’s stable, he will join an impressive group featuring both experience and potential. Hunter-Reay as mentioned is a former winner, Marco Andretti and Carlos Munoz have each finished second in the Indy 500, while newcomer Alexander Rossi is a strong candidate for 2016 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honors, an honor claimed by all three of his full time teammates.
The 2016 edition of the May classic would be the tenth appearance in the Indy 500 for Bell, who made his debut at Indy for Tony George’s Vision Racing team in 2006. His best finish in the big event was a fourth place effort in 2009 with KV Racing, but his most competitive effort came two years ago, when he charged from 25th to second late in the race only to crash in turn two nine laps from the finish. Although not known as a particularly strong qualifier at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he managed to secure a spot on the inside of row number two for the 2011 event.
The to be announced numbered Honda is expected to be sponsored by Robert Graham clothiers, who have sponsored Bell in the last two Indy 500s and also sponsors his Change Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3, he co-drives with Bill Sweedler in IMSA. The sponsor has produced two very unique black with multi-colors paint schemes in the past two editions of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and fans should expect a similarly impressive kit for the Andretti Autosport entry in May.
Despite never being a full-time driver on the Verizon IndyCar Series circuit, the 40 year-old has managed to earn nine top ten finishes in just 25 starts, with a third of them coming at Indy. The addition of Bell adds to an interesting list of Indy-only drivers expected to compete, which also includes Dreyer-Reinbold-Kingdom Racing’s Sage Karam, 2011 Indy 500 pole winner Alex Tagliani for AJ Foyt Racing, and 2011 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year and race runner-up J.R. Hildebrand. Once Bell’s confirmation is set, he will become the 32nd official confirmation for the 100th edition of the Indianapolis 500, with several other potential teams and drivers still seeking rides.
Stay tuned to OnPitRoad.com for further news and updates on the Road to the 100th Indianapolis 500, presented by PennGrade Motor Oil.
