rpm.espn.com: Townsend Bell

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Monday, February 25
Updated: March 1, 1:40 PM ET

Townsend Bell
By Robin Miller
ESPN.com

Team: Patrick Racing
Nationality: United States

Townsend Bell
Bell

STATS

Year
Rank
Wins
Top 5
Top 10
Poles
Best finish

2001 30th 0 0 0 0 12th, England

Career 0 0 0 0 12th, England

2001 recap
The good: Bell captured the 2001 Dayton Indy Lights championship with a dominating season that included six victories, six poles and leading more than 50 percent (385 of 604) of the laps in CART's feeder series. His performance earned him a test, then an audition and eventually a drive with Pat Patrick's champ car team for 2002.

Season highlight: Because of inclement weather and leaks in the track, there was no qualifying for the CART races at Germany and England where Bell made his champ car debut. He started 27th at Germany and charged to 13th by the checkered flag and came from 26th to 12th at Rockingham, England.

The bad: Was fined $35,000 for driving the wrong way at Laguna Seca after clinching the Lights title.

Key stat: Finished every lap of both CART shows and only had two DNFs in 12 Indy Lights races.

2002 outlook
What needs to be done: With Memo Gidley and Bryan Herta currently rideless, Bell will be one of three American drivers on CART's 2002 roster. He won't have the benefit of a teammate but does have the expertise of veteran team manager, Jim McGee.

Prediction: This aggressive 26-year-old Californian impressed everyone during his CART debut in 2001 and just needs miles and a good car.

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