Townsend Bell To Drive No. 24 in Indy 500

Townsend Bell

Dreyer & Reinbold – Kingdom Racing announced Saturday that veteran open-wheel racer Townsend Bell will drive the No. 24 Robert Graham Special in the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24, 2015.

Bell, 39, will compete in his ninth Indy 500 with the Robert Graham Special, a Chevrolet-powered Dallara chassis with the new Chevrolet speedway body kit. Bell previously drove for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in 2008.

Robert Graham, the New York-based luxury men's fashion brand, returns to the Indy 500 after debuting in 2014 as a primary partner of Bell’s entry in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

“We are extremely pleased to have Townsend back in our car for the Indianapolis 500," said Reinbold, a longtime Indy 500 owner. “Townsend has proven to be contender at Indy for many years including last year’s event when he was running second with ten laps to go. With the Robert Graham brand, we feel Townsend and No. 24 Chevrolet-powered machine will be right in the thick of things when the checkered flag is in the air on May 24."

The Dreyer & Reinbold family has a tremendous legacy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway dating back to 1927 when Dennis’ grandfather, the legendary Floyd “Pop" Dreyer, served as a mechanic and crewman in the Benny Shoaff/Babe Stapp-driven Duesenberg.

Dreyer, an Indian factory motorcycle racer in the 1920s, later became a world-renown race car builder including cars on the front row of the Indy 500 in the 1930s and series and race-winning sprint cars and midgets.

“I am very excited to come back to the Indy 500 with Robert Graham as well as Dreyer & Reinbold this year," said Bell, the 2001 Indy Lights champion. “Robert Graham is a very unique partner. They bring a world-class luxury brand to the greatest race in the world. We have a great opportunity to put them in victory lane on May 24. The Robert Graham Special will once again sport a very distinctive look at IMS this May."

In addition, the Robert Graham Special will salute NASCAR legend and Indiana favorite Jeff Gordon in his final full-season in motorsports. The 24 script on Bell’s Indy 500 mount will match the No. 24 of Gordon’s Chevrolet race car.

“We felt it was appropriate to salute Jeff’s tremendous career by running the number he’s made so famous," said Bell, who’s best Indy 500 finish was fourth in 2009. “We will unveil a tribute to Jeff during May that the fans will enjoy."

Bell, a 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring champion, continues his many 2015 activities on and off the track as the Californian also competes in the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship in the Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458 along with his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Bell is the only driver that will compete in both Indy 500 and Le Mans this season.

Bell also serves a race analyst for NBC Sports Network in the Verizon IndyCar Series and hosts other television shows including “Shut Up and Drive" and "What'Cha Got."

Practice for the 99th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 11 with qualifications set for Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17. The famed 500-mile classic will start at noon EDT on Sunday, May 24.