Townsend Bell gets another sponsor for Indy
"I first raced with Royal Purple last year at the X Games in Munich, Germany," Bell said. "It is really cool that they have added their support to my Indy 500 effort in addition to their support of my TUDOR United SportsCar Championship AIM Autosport Ferrari program. I just want to thank everyone at Royal Purple and I look forward to enjoying the whole Indy 500 experience with their employees and customers."
Royal Purple manufactures a wide range of premium synthetic lubricants for racing, consumer, commercial and industrial applications. In addition to Bell's Indy 500 and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship programs, Royal Purple supports a variety of racing series programs including rally cross, NHRA drag racing and NHRA junior drag racing, Formula SAE programs and other grassroots racing teams.
"We are excited to extend our partnership with Townsend Bell as he competes in the Indianapolis 500 in the backyard of our parent company Calumet Specialty Product Partners," said Bryan Yourdon, Royal Purple President. "Townsend's talent behind the wheel has been demonstrated at two of the premier TUDOR United SportsCar Championship races at Daytona and Sebring this season, and we look forward to supporting his success at the Indianapolis 500," he added.
Bell, a 39-year-old American, who resides in Pacific Palisades, CA spends much of his time now as a Verizon IndyCar Series broadcast analyst for NBC Sports. He also competes in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship driving for AIM Autosport with Ferrari. Bell, who will be competing in a major U.S. based open-wheel event for the 12th season, will be making his eighth start at the Brickyard. In seven previous Indy 500's, he has a best qualifying position of fourth, in 2011, and has earned three top-10 finishes with a best showing of fourth in 2009, coincidentally, while competing with KV Racing Technology. Out of a possible 1400 laps, Bell has completed a remarkable 1308 at the Speedway.