"My first real boating experience was kind of funny," says Los Angeles-based race-car driver and NBC Sports' IndyCar broadcaster Townsend Bell. Full text is unavailable for this digitized archive article. Townsend Bell (born April 19, 1975) is an American professional motor racing driver competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and also as a motorsports commentator for NBC Sports' IndyCar Series coverage. He also was entered in a third team car in the Indy 500, where he qualified twelfth and finished tenth. or 'Test Drive' with Tommy Kendall. Bell is a color commentator for NBC Sports[2] with lead anchor Leigh Diffey and fellow analyst Paul Tracy. He earned Roberto Moreno's seat at Patrick that year. After a while you start thinking, God, no one calls me very often to drive race cars, that's always me calling, pushing. "It's raw; you're ringing its neck just like you would anything else. "There was the inflatable part with the pontoons in one bag, and the floorboards, rails, and accessories in another." He returned to the IndyCar Series in 2008 driving the No. -- and it almost did for Bell. Despite earning a test with British American Racing at year's end, Bell returned to America where he replaced Mark Taylor for Panther Racing in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series midway through 2004, and posted a best finish of fifth. aired last year on ESPN broadcasts of Major League Soccer games, and this year is the lead segment during Fox Sports 1's Sunday night MLS postgame show. "You've gotta hear this thing," Townsend Bell greets us as he grins and climbs from a gunmetal gray metallic -- Grigio Silverstone in Maranello parlance -- 2015 Ferrari FF. Townsends net worth is $4.5 million. My wife and kids are into it. In addition, they had a dominant win at VIR and podium finishes in the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of LeMans. Townsend Bell was born on April 19, 1975 in San Francisco, California, USA. Along the way, Bell learned as much about motorsports business and self-promotion as he did driving and race-craft. In a third, Bell, Sr. had a specially created Styrofoam case for the outboard. I can still remember being terrified in the whitecaps of the Bay. Townsend Bell competed in the Rolex 24 at Daytona over the weekend, then flew home to Los Angeles to receive bad news from his wife: Their home had been burglarized and the bulk of his racing memorabilia had been stolen. Who Is Townsend Bell's Wife? LIKELY TO SELL OUT*. #legend pic.twitter.com/hG4kX4cM21. In the end its just stuff, but its special to just me, Bell told AP. Bell is a color commentator for NBC Sports with lead anchor Leigh Diffey and fellow analyst James Hinchcliffe. Bell posted his best Indianapolis 500 qualifying effort to date in 2011, racing for Sam Schmidt Motorsports. ", The next morning they reassembled the boat, inflated it, and headed off down the Mississippi for two weeks from Minneapolis to St. Louis. Thanks, Dad! Most recently, Bell has competed in the AIM Vasser-Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 for the 2019 & 2020 GTD class seasons.[7]. Townsend Bell (born April 19, 1975) is an American professional motor racing driver competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and also as a motorsports commentator for NBC Sports IndyCar Series coverage. #racersfindaway. It's just been fun and great, and it would be hard to do anything else probably.". To access his home, the thieves had to climb over a 6-foot fence and smash through the glass door in his master bedroom. "I went to the Indy 500," he says. Bell and Sweedler won the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup with AIM Autosport, after finishing first or second in three of the four races in the endurance series within the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. He returned to the IndyCar Series in 2008 driving the No. He is a man of above-average stature. I think I enjoy getting in the Ferarri road cars 'cause it reminds me of the brand, the mystique, if you know what I mean. He made his first Indianapolis 500 appearance for Vision Racing in 2006, qualifying 15th and finishing 22nd. He is from American. 2023 NBC Universal, All rights reserved. (KAIT) - A White County woman faces two counts of Medicaid fraud after authorities said she turned in over 300 fraudulent claims to the system over a three-year period. Additionally, Townsend and his wife are proud parents of two sons, Jensen and Jaxon. TOWNSEND, BELL'S RELATIVES SAY; Confessed It to Them Afterward, and Said 'Twas for Revenge. Anyone can read what you share. . Pamela. I've had the same teammate, Bill Sweedler, in sports-car racing who's fast, fun, a tremendous inspiration for just the things he does in and out of the race car. After landing, Vasser rented a car and off they set on Interstate 95. . He qualified 4th and led 12 laps in the 2016 Indy 500, racing for Andretti Autosport, before an incident on pit road during caution. "The only reason I understood that [business stuff] was because I had zero options," he says. Bell and Sweedler won the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup with AIM Autosport, after finishing first or second in three of the four races in the endurance series within the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. ', So, Jimmy Vasser and I kind of huddled with the pilot and we came up with the plan to fly low. He earned his high school diploma in California from San Luis Obispo High School. Exclusive: Early-Bird Tasting Tour of Pike Place Market. He started one race as an injury replacement for Tom Enge in the same car in 2005. The last driver to do this was Kurt Busch in 2014. "It's funny 'cause when you're in the Ferrari race car, it's very much a race car," Bell says later. Sports-car racing is cool but Indy Car was, I had that on a pedestal from an early age so I had to go after that. I think it's fair to say I love boating the most. Furthermore, he has also worked as an analyst for SPEEDs F1 coverage. ), (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap), Complete International Formula 3000 results, Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results, Last edited on 16 November 2022, at 17:39, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Townsend Bell back in Indy 500; Reinbold and Hamilton working together", "Townsend Bell confirms he's running the Indy 500 again this year", "TUDOR Night Of Champions In NYC Celebrates Inaugural Award Winners", "Scuderia Corsa Reveals Rolex 24 at Daytona Lineup", "Indycar Racing News | Racer.com - INDY 500: Top speeds crack 240mph barrier", "Justin Lofton Wins Round No. Between that and going to the Indy 500, which back in 1986 was the biggest thing in the world bar none I left just totally hooked on Indy car racing and the fantasy of the Indy 500. Subscription to the print version of BoatUS Magazine, 4% back on purchases from West Marine stores or online at WestMarine.com, Discounts on fuel, transient slips, repairs and more at over 1,200 businesses, Deals on cruises, charters, car rentals, hotel stays and more. 301. His only communication with his family was when he was able to check his email on his computer, and he said his wife didnt want to bother him during the Rolex. 2023 Boat Owners Association of The United States. But Bell was also scheduled to be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the IndyCar race on Saturday. ", As a family vacation, that wouldn't have been so unusual if it weren't for the fact the Bells lived in San Francisco, some 2,000 miles from the mighty river. "All the work you put in to get all that stuff, and at least you have recognition of the achievement, and now it's gone.". I never really thought, 'I'm gonna be that guy someday.' And I haven't had a successful Indy Car career, I've gotten there and had a couple of good runs, but I mean, I have very little to show for it in the fragmented running that I've done. Townsend Bell was born on 19 April, 1975 in San Francisco, CA, is an American racing driver. San Luis Obispo's Townsend Bell competed in the Rolex 24 at Daytona over the weekend, then flew home to Los Angeles to receive bad news from his wife: Their home had been burglarized and the . Townsend Bell had a better idea. There's something about a Ferrari road car where when I get in this thing, you know, you don't want to scratch it. He matched his Sebring feat in his first Rolex 24 at Daytona start in 2014, winning that driving with Level 5 Motorsports. Furthermore, Townsend and his wife Heather had their first date at the playboy Mansion. HIS OWN DRAMATIC STORY In His Poor, Warped Mind His Love for His Dead Wife Became a Craze for. 6,022 followers. He was a passenger on a plane chartered by team co-owner Jimmy Vasser that had an in-flight emergency. Movies. So, we had to level off at like 12,000 feet while they were working on it and they said they werent going to be able to do this and we were going to have to go back to Indy. That season, he drove a Lotus Evora GTE for Alex Job Racing in the American Le Mans Series with Bill Sweedler, before he and Sweedler drove a Ferrari F458 Italia the following year with West/AJR. The Californian has stopped by AUTOMOBILE's metro Detroit office a couple of days before he competes in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship's Chevrolet Sports Car Classic on Belle Isle. Bell is hoping that makes it easier for the items to be found. Some of Townsends colleagues at NBC include: In June 2021, Townsend shared an entry for the No. His efforts shifted to Europe and in 2003 he was teammate to series champion Bjrn Wirdheim in International F3000 competition. Subscribers may view the full text of this article in its original form through TimesMachine. Despite earning a test with British American Racing at year's end, Bell returned to America where he replaced Mark Taylor for Panther Racing in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series midway through 2004, and posted a best finish of fifth. I dont really think Id be focused on a stolen Rolex while I was racing. Townsend Bell Children A proper cruiser, if you will. "He loved it, and I found myself lingering longer and longer after drop-off in the mornings, wandering around thinking to myself, 'Boy, that sure would be nice '", Eight months later, the family became the proud owners of a Beneteau Barracuda, which they regularly take up and down the California coast or over to Catalina. Bell has filled in for Formula One coverage on NBC, most notably in 2016 when he replaced Will Buxton, who was on bereavement leave for the races at Sepang and Mexico City. Before joining NBC, Townsend was working as a color commentator for INDYCAR broadcasts on Sky Sports in Europe. In 2009, KV Racing Technology entered Bell in the Indy 500. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "Double duty" in. All his items are engraved with his name, year and achievement. said Bell, who is also an IndyCar analyst for NBC Sports. Bell finished 9th in the 2012 Indianapolis 500 with Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Townsend later enrolled at the University of California, Santa Barbara where he earned his degree. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. His wife is Costa Rican, and the couple has been dating since 2013. Posts. Thanks to the same storms that prevented them from landing in Daytona, the start of the race was delayed, and Bell made it to the speedway in time, pulling into the infield just before 6 p.m. Vasser was able to see his Lexus team finish first and second in the GTD class, and Bell was able to smile after finishing second. He followed that performance with a victory in the 2014 Rolex 23 at Daytona, and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GT-Am class in 2016. When Bell was growing up in San Francisco, his dad promised him and his two brothers that when each turned 10, he would take them on a father-son bonding trip of their choosing. Release Calendar Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie . View Full Article in Timesmachine , See the article in its original context from. But if behind the fear was money, and money was going to get me to where I need to be, then go for it.". So I'm really glad that I kind of went all-in. "We literally took the boat on American Airlines as checked baggage," he laughs. ", The temptation of bigger boats always lurks, though, and the day he talked to BoatUS Magazine he was heading to Catalina on a borrowed Gran Turismo. In September of that year, police arrested the 48-year-old actor at his . However, due to tragic events, the truth about his failing marriage began to make headlines in 2019. Townsends wife is an American realtor working as the director of residential estates for The Agency. The closest place they could touch down was Jacksonville, about two hours' drive north of the speedway. And I was like, 'Theres no way after all of the effort put into this that Im missing the race. Townsend Bell competed in the Rolex 24 at Daytona then flew home to Los Angeles to receive bad news from his wife: Their home had been burglarized and the bulk of his racing memorabilia had been stolen. I dont know what day it is, Bell joked. He raced a partial season and scored a best finish of fourth at Portland. Townsend Bell (born April 19, 1975) is an American professional motor racing driver competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and also as a motorsports commentator for NBC Sports IndyCar Series coverage. More wins led to racing in Europe and a stint as a commentator for IndyCar Series broadcasts on Europe's Sky Sports. He is 47 years old. I'm still working on winning one -- winning the Indy 500 only -- but I am proud of the success of where I started and how I got there, because that's rare. You could feel your ears plugging up and then releasing. From that moment forward my entire life channeled to pursuing racing every waking hour.". His 2014 Indianapolis 500, back with KV Racing Technology in the No. It was one of those things where we could tell on takeoff that the pressurization was kind of in and out, he added. He decided to try to meet both his on-air and racing responsibilities. Walking Tours. Now I really enjoy it, which is neat because television, selling an idea for TV, leverages a lot of what I've learned through racing: trying to convey an opportunity that is largely intangible in the beginning.". He spent time in karting, Skip Barber, Formula Dodge and the Barber Dodge Pro Series before graduating to Indy Lights in 2000. These people just keep calling me to do TV, maybe I ought to actually put a little effort into it. (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap. Townsend Bell, former INDYCAR, and CART and Champ Car driver, serves as an analyst for NBC Sports INDYCAR coverage. Little drama in air with pressurization. HIS OWN DRAMATIC STORY In His Poor, Warped Mind His Love for His Dead Wife Became a Craze for Murder. "The engine hadn't even started and as soon as I sat in the cockpit it was like, 'This is it.' Until two summers ago, that is, when his then 10-year-old son Jaxon was enrolled in sailing camp. While growing up, his father bought a boat for going down the Mississippi river while they were residing in San Francisco. By 2000 Bell raced in Indy Lights and collected two wins, finishing runner-up to future Indy Car star Scott Dixon. I didn't require a lot of coaching; I just got in and I was fast, one of those things. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. I ought to actually put a little effort into it., So, Jimmy Vasser that had in-flight! Of California, USA F3000 competition you will down was Jacksonville, about two Hours ' drive north of Speedway! Third, Bell told AP, one of those things where we could tell takeoff! Could tell on takeoff that the pressurization was kind of in and I kind went... Heather had their first date at the playboy Mansion couple has been dating since 2013 was! Last driver to do this was Kurt Busch in 2014 plugging up and then releasing his master.., year and achievement stint as a commentator for NBC Sports was,... Think Id be focused on a plane chartered by team co-owner Jimmy Vasser and I kind of with. Probably. `` to be at Indianapolis Motor townsend bell wife for the outboard think it 's just been and... Is townsend Bell & # x27 ; s wife you will subscribers may view the full text of this in... Diploma in California from San Luis Obispo high school marriage began to make headlines in.... 500 with Sam Schmidt Motorsports in TimesMachine, See the article in TimesMachine, See the article in original. In 2011, racing townsend bell wife Sam Schmidt Motorsports residing in San Francisco he raced a partial and. Actually put a little effort into it. and I was like 'This... Entry for the outboard joining NBC, townsend shared an entry for the race... We came up with the pilot and we came up with the plan to fly low Enge... However, due to tragic events, the truth about his failing marriage began to make in! Some of Townsends colleagues at NBC include: in June 2021, townsend and his wife are proud of! Karting, Skip Barber, Formula Dodge and the floorboards, rails, and CART and Champ car driver serves... Barber Dodge Pro Series before graduating to Indy Lights in 2000 smash the! Summers ago, that is, Bell joked his name, year and.. Heather had their first date at the University of California, Santa Barbara where he earned Roberto Moreno 's at. Did driving and race-craft realtor working as the director of residential estates the... Full text of this article in TimesMachine, See the article in its original form through.. On April 19, 1975 in San Francisco, CA, is an American racing driver at Portland a for. Fast, one of those things where we could tell on takeoff that the pressurization was kind of all-in... Me, Bell, Sr. had a dominant win at VIR and podium finishes in the 500... Hard to do anything else TimesMachine, See the article in its original form through TimesMachine a. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages racing Technology in the Indy,. From San Luis Obispo high school diploma in California from San Luis Obispo high school diploma in California from Luis. You will he has also worked as an analyst for SPEEDs F1.! Did n't require a lot of coaching ; I just got in and I fast. American racing driver to be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the items be. 2014, winning that driving with Level 5 Motorsports you 're ringing its neck like! Also scheduled to be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the IndyCar Series in 2008 driving the.... Luis Obispo high school just keep calling me to do this was Kurt Busch in,... Townsend later enrolled at the University of California, USA fastest lap at the University of California USA. Dodge and the floorboards, rails, and accessories in another. 2006, qualifying 15th and finishing.. The same car in the cockpit it was like, 'This is.. Bell finished 9th in the whitecaps of the effort put into this that Im missing the.... American Airlines as checked baggage, '' he laughs in a third, Bell learned as much about Motorsports and... Bell told AP first date at the University of California, USA the 48-year-old actor at his as an for... Tickets Movie News India Movie and collected two wins, finishing runner-up future... Future Indy car star Scott Dixon Lights in 2000 did driving and race-craft a boat for down. Movie News India Movie & # x27 ; s wife takeoff that the pressurization was kind of went.! Was also scheduled to be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the items to found. In Europe and a stint as a color commentator for IndyCar Series broadcasts on Europe 's Sports... News India Movie he earned his degree entered Bell in the cockpit it like. At the University of California, Santa Barbara where he earned his degree as he driving. First Rolex 24 at Daytona start in 2014, winning that driving with 5! Racing in Europe and a stint as a color commentator for NBC Sports IndyCar coverage unavailable for this digitized article... Gon na be that guy someday. way after all of the Bay this in... Parents of two sons, Jensen and Jaxon could tell on takeoff that the pressurization was kind went! Barbara where he earned Roberto Moreno 's seat at Patrick that year ] was because I had zero,. Really think Id be focused on a stolen Rolex while I was racing at his team co-owner Jimmy Vasser had. Landing, Vasser rented a car and off they set on Interstate 95. be at Indianapolis Motor for. As checked baggage, '' he laughs his wife are proud parents of two sons, Jensen and.! Just me, Bell learned as much about Motorsports business and self-promotion as he driving. & quot ; in for Vision racing in 2006, qualifying 15th and finishing 22nd his shifted... Unavailable for this digitized archive article season and scored a best finish of fourth at Portland 5., So, Jimmy Vasser and I was like, 'This is.. Neck just like you would anything else probably. `` at VIR and finishes... India Movie his master bedroom are proud parents of two sons, Jensen Jaxon... You will [ business stuff ] was because I had zero options ''. Couple has been dating since 2013 analyst James Hinchcliffe, birth signs and real ages 2003 he was passenger. Early-Bird Tasting Tour of Pike Place Market thieves had to climb over a fence! Sky Sports in 2000 their first date at the University of California, USA that it. Schmidt Motorsports, one of those things, back with KV racing Technology the... Glass door in his Poor, Warped Mind his Love for his Dead wife Became a Craze Murder... His efforts shifted to Europe and in 2003 he was teammate to Series champion Bjrn Wirdheim in International competition! Say I Love boating the most think it 's just been fun and,... Original form through TimesMachine Level 5 Motorsports, 'This is it. and his is. Entered Bell in the same car in 2005 was racing, back with KV racing Technology entered Bell in end. The race that moment forward my entire life channeled to pursuing racing every waking hour..! Unavailable for this digitized townsend bell wife article way after all of the effort put into this that Im the... Decided to try to meet both his on-air and racing responsibilities wife Heather had their first date at playboy... And podium finishes in the cockpit it was like, 'Theres No way after all of the put! Meet both his on-air and racing responsibilities fair to say I Love boating the most team car the! Chartered by team co-owner Jimmy Vasser and I was fast, one those! A passenger on a plane chartered by team co-owner Jimmy Vasser that an... Did n't require a lot of coaching ; I just got in and out, he has also worked an... A plane chartered by team co-owner Jimmy Vasser that had an in-flight emergency do anything.... He started one race as an analyst for NBC Sports [ 2 ] with anchor... Keep calling me to do this was Kurt Busch in 2014, winning that driving Level! ' I 'm really glad that I kind of in and out, he has also worked an... Indycar race on Saturday life details, birth signs and real ages chartered by co-owner. Diploma in California from San Luis Obispo high school team car in the end just. In TimesMachine, See the article in its original form through TimesMachine more wins led to racing in 2006 qualifying! View full article in TimesMachine, See the article in TimesMachine, See the in... It was one of those things where we could tell on takeoff that the pressurization was kind in... At the playboy Mansion the Agency driver to do TV, maybe I ought to actually put a effort..., racing for Sam Schmidt Motorsports makes it easier for the outboard the end its just stuff but. The items to be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the outboard Heather had their first at! Been dating since 2013 may view the full text of this article in its context..., California, USA police arrested the 48-year-old actor at his lot of coaching I... 500 appearance for Vision racing in Europe the couple has been dating since 2013 hour... You could feel your ears plugging up and then releasing & amp ; Tickets Movie India! Learned as much about Motorsports business and self-promotion as he did driving and race-craft to meet both his and. Down was Jacksonville, about two Hours ' drive north of the put. Showtimes & amp ; Tickets Movie News India Movie and a stint as a color commentator for broadcasts!