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INDYCAR: Townsend Bell Confirmed At Schmidt For Indy
Bell will attempt to qualify for the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race in a car prepared by the team owned by former driver Sam Schmidt.
Media Release  |  Posted May 05, 2012  
Bell will carry the No. 99 once again in his third Indy 500 driving for Schmidt. (Photo: Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports)
For the third consecutive year, Bell will attempt to qualify for the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race in a car prepared by the team owned by former driver Sam Schmidt. In 2012, Bell will drive the No. 99 BraunAbility/Schmidt Pelfrey Motorsports Dallara/Honda/Firestone car.

Bell will be a teammate to Frenchman Simon Pagenaud who drives the No. 77 Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports car in the IZOD IndyCar Series. It will be Pagenaud’s first attempt at qualifying for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Pagenaud currently sits fifth in the IndyCar points championship.

“Speed and consistency win the Indianapolis 500,” said Bell. “Returning to Indy with Sam and his team for the third year in a row will ensure I have both those ingredients again in 2012. For the past two years, my guys have provided me a fast race car, and I know the No 99 BraunAbility/Schmidt Pelfrey Motorsports car will give me another shot at winning.”

In 2011, Bell nearly qualified on the Front Row for the Indianapolis 500. His four-lap speed average of 226.887 mph was the fourth-fastest and put him on the inside of Row 2, right behind his SSM teammate and pole-sitter Alex Tagliani. His day ended early with an accident on lap 157.

“Townsend is one of those drivers that gets it done at Indy, and I am excited to have him driving the No. 99 BraunAbility car this May,” said Schmidt. “To say we have unfinished business together at Indy may be a cliché, but it is true. We’ve started our first two races together with legitimate shots at winning. This year should be no different.”
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