Townsend Bell and team owner Michael Andretti pose alongside Bell’s No. 29 California Pizza Kitchen/Robert Graham Honda. [Joe Jennings Photo]
By Joe Jennings
Townsend Bell shown holding his professionally designed helmet. [Joe Jennings Photo]
INDIANAPOLIS – On the yard of bricks behind the Pagoda Plaza, Indy 500 veteran Townsend Bell and team owner Michael Andretti unveiled Bell’s No. 29 California Pizza Kitchen / Robert Graham Honda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on a cold Friday. With the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the iconic IMS Pagoda as a backdrop, fans and media got the first look at the California Pizza Kitchen / Robert Graham collaboration that will carry Bell for 500 miles on May 29 in the epic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race.
Bell is one of the more colorful drivers around, and he didn’t disappoint the media and fans today as he sported a bright yellow uniform with a montage of an Indianapolis Star newspaper clipping from the 1911 Indianapolis 500 on his back complimented by a newly-designed helmet adorned with numerous historic photos in black and white along with one color shot of Michael Andretti.
“It is a life-long dream of mine to win this race, and ‘Just go fast’ is my theme for 2016,” noted Bell. “I started here as an 11-year old in 1986 when Michael was just starting his career and I am thrilled to be driving for him.”
In spite of the chilly weather, Bell accommodated the media and the fans for a lengthy period of time.
“Every single Indy 500 I’ve been to as a fan or a driver has been special to me,” Bell commented. “This one (the 100th running of the 500) has that extra kick, and it is nice to know the world is going to be watching the biggest race in the world with the biggest prize for me to try and get.”
On the back of Bell’s uniform is displayed a newspaper clipping from 1911 showing Ray Harroun making headlines as the inaugural 500 winner. [Joe Jennings Photo]
Bell’s preparations for the Indianapolis 500 start the day after the previous year’s race. “My countdown starts then and I am always looking for ways to improve, studying the competition and making the best decisions,” he noted.
To re-inforce his commitment, he has a huge photo from the 2011 race in his office with him in the lead coming off pit lane. “It is a reminder of the hundreds of things that factor into putting yourself into that position, and a lot of that work starts a year ahead of time. And that photo keeps me psyched up.”
“Just go fast” Bell can be expected to give it his all two weeks from now and you should keep an eye on the brightly colored No. 29 Honda.