rpm.espn.com: Users: Watch out for Bell

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Friday, March 1

Users: Watch out for Bell
ESPN.com

We asked our users how Townsend Bell will fare in his rookie season. Here are some of the responses:

I think that Townsend Bell will have a very strong rookie season. He's fast, smart and aggressive when he needs to be. I predict a top 10 season finish with a couple of podiums.

Mark Carter
Huntington Beach, Calif.

I expect sudden and numerous podiums from Bell. I saw him burn up Laguna at February testing. My favorite for the year -- a championship is a real possibility.

Kevin Klein
Carmel Valley, Calif.

By dominating Indy Lights last year, Townsend has shown blazing speed as well as a knack to finish races. These are two of the main ingredients to be sucessful in the ultra-competitive CART series. Although Townsend might not win in 2002, he will gain valuable experience to eventually become a future American CART champion.

Mike Quan
Gardena, Calif.

I think he'll finish 10th in the points with a breakout win mid to late season on an oval. I'm glad he is in the series. With Herta, Gidley, Barron and Hearns all out and others like Casey Mears, PJ Jones and upcoming Kasey Kahn going to hill billie land of NASCAR it's nice to see one American future star in what is supposed to still be a majority USA Open Wheel series not a South American series.

Mike Dolgos
Westfield, Ind.

Townsend Bell is the best Indy Lights product since Cristiano da Matta. With the full attention of Patrick Racing and its excellent engineering staff, I expect to see him winning in 2002.

Chuck Bitner
Elizabethtown, Pa.

Very, very talented. If Townsend Bell has a decent car and good engineers, watch out. He could be the biggest surprise of the 2002 CART season.

Craig Murakami
Torrance, Calif.

I like watching rookies compete like Dixon did last year so I'm predicting he will win one race and finish in the top-10 in points this year.

Paul Frank
Slinger, Wis.

I think he will do a great job, and I think in 2003, he could challenge for the championship. Represent the U.S. well!

Neil Boehman
Terre Haute, Ind.

I think Bell will find out early how tough and competitive this series really is, but I hope he has the mental toughness to maintain his confidence if he doesn't get the results he thinks he should be getting. I will keep a close eye on their race strategies this year as Pat Patrick has always been a fuel management wizard and always seemed to figure out a unique way to stretch their mileage at the right times. With the rule changes regarding pit stops, less timed races etc., it will be interesting to see what the wiley master can come up with this year. If Bell can qualify well outside the ovals he should easily land within the top ten spots in the championship standings.

Mike Van Veghel
Madison, Wis.

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