KV Racing adds third Indy 500 car for Townsend Bell
KV Racing Technology has confirmed that it will be adding a third car to its Indianapolis 500 line-up in order to add Townsend Bell alongside regular drivers Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastian Saavedra.
It will be Bell's eighth time competing in the Indy 500, who has been working as part of the NBC Sports Network's commentary team for its coverage of the Verizon IndyCar Series race at Long Beach this weekend.
Bell previously raced for the team co-owned by Jimmy Vasser back in the 2009 Indy 500, when he finished in fourth place - his best result in the event. He made his Indy d?but in 2006 with Vision Racing and has also competed in The Greatest Spectacle in Motorsport for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and Panther Racing, as well as three outings with Sam Schmidt Motorsport.
"In 2001, Jimmy was my teammate in my first Champ Car event and in 2009 I had my best finish in Indy racing with KVRT, so coming back to the defending Indy 500 champions is special," said the 38-year-old Kimi. "I will be working with one of my favourite engineers, Gerald Tyler, so that is also a big plus."
KV Racing goes into the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 next month as the defending team champions, after Tony Kanaan clinched victory in 2013 in the team's #11 car now driven by Bourdais since Kanaan departed the squad for a seat at Chip Ganassi Racing. American-based clothier Robert Graham will be the primary sponsor of Bell's #6 Chevrolet-powered entry.
"Townsend is a proven talent who will provide valuable experience and knowledge to the team during the Month of May," said Kevin Kalkhoven, Vasser's co-owner in the team. "I also want to welcome and thank Robert Graham for joining our effort."
Bell will not be competing in the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis road race that kicks off the 'month of May' activities, but will be in the car the following day when Indianapolis Motor Speedway opens for the first day of practice for the 500 on May 11.
Qualifying for this year's race takes place over the weekend of May 17-18.
