Bell told The Associated Press on Monday the burglars made off with the 10 rings from his Indianapolis 500s, his ring for winning the 2001 Indy Lights championship, his Rolex . Plane and weather issues left him little time to make the second race. Therefore, Townsend, his older brother, and their cousin had to get themselves to Mississippi together with their boat. His 2014 Indianapolis 500, back with KV Racing Technology in the No. 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. Palisades Patrol swore in its seventh town sheriff Tuesday night, race car driver Townsend Bell, to help address quality of life issues in Pacific Palisades. 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. Most recently, Bell has competed in the AIM Vasser-Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 for the 2019 & 2020 GTD class seasons.[7]. "The only reason I understood that [business stuff] was because I had zero options," he says. Notice the aero optimized seating position. 23 car in events where Milka Duno was not scheduled to race. Posts. 2023 The Agency IP Holdco, LLC. Menu. In addition, they had a dominant win at VIR and podium finishes in the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of LeMans.[5]. Townsend Bell's income source is mostly from being a successful Driver. 12 with Zach Veach and Frankie Montecalvo, who were announced in this ride last week. Townsend is 47 years old. All prospective buyers should conduct a careful, independent investigation of the information and property, and consult with appropriate professionals, such as appraisers, architects, civil engineers, etc. Bell is a color commentator for NBC Sports with lead anchor Leigh Diffey and fellow analyst James Hinchcliffe. 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. per adult. 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. Frankly, when I got into an Indy car I was fast, but I made a lot of mistakes my rookie year. The Agency and The Agency logo are registered trademarks of The Agency IP Holdco, LLC under license to its parents and affiliates. 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. 0. "It's the perfect boat for us because it has an enclosed pilothouse and we can spend the night, if we want," he says. #punchonthru pic.twitter.com/MUj19XsOkI. "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. He has also been a participant in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. 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. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Bells team finished fifth in class in the twice-round-the-clock endurance race that ended Sunday. He returned to the IndyCar Series in 2008 driving the No. Im pretty sure Im in Daytona. The accelerated climb to the sport's summit was almost unheard of, but natural talent and driving for Dorricott Racing, at the time Indy Light's best team, masked his inexperience only so much. 252 posts. "I probably would've been totally out of racing by 2008 if the merger [between CART and the IRL] hadn't happened," he says. "I throw my mountain bike on it and go over to Catalina to bike. He earned his high school diploma in California from San Luis Obispo High School. It's just been fun and great, and it would be hard to do anything else probably.". "My first real boating experience was kind of funny," says Los Angeles-based race-car driver and NBC Sports' IndyCar broadcaster Townsend Bell. Until two summers ago, that is, when his then 10-year-old son Jaxon was enrolled in sailing camp. But when you get in a Ferrari road car, you can't deny it's special.". In 2016, Bell along with teammates Jeff Segal and Bill Sweedler won the 24 Hours of LeMans in only their second try. So, how much is Townsend Bell worth at the age of 47 years old? "I went to the Indy 500," he says. He is from American. Bell made his television debut as a color commentator for INDYCAR broadcasts on Sky Sports in Europe, and also served as an analyst of SPEED's F1 coverage. Bell made his sports car debut in 2012 and won the 12 Hours of Sebring on debut with Alex Job Racing. Because as an Indy Car driver, it's all on your shoulders in a way. One brother went to Alaska, another to New York. At 12, he raced go-karts locally and regionally, but at 13 while loading an ATV onto a trailer, the trailer came loose and ran him over, putting him in a wheelchair for weeks and effectively ending his racing "career." Townsend, 46, from Howth in Dublin, allegedly got physical with In 2015, Bell and co-driver Bill Sweedler took home the IMSA GT Daytona Championship. While growing up, his father bought a boat for going down the Mississippi river while they were residing in San Francisco. Release Calendar Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie . The actor is married to Agatha Araya, with whom he has two children, one of whom is Desmond Townsend. His wife is Costa Rican, and the couple has been dating since 2013. Slowly he found money. Furthermore, Townsends father had the boat inflated and checked in as luggage while they were taking a flight to Minneapolis. Townsend Bell Children Ann Dermody is the former managing editor of BoatUS Magazine. He started one race as an injury replacement for Tom Enge in the same car in 2005. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Any time the pilot pulls out the owners manual, its generally not a good sign midflight, Bell said. Splash and go. So, we had a whole splash-and-go strategy worked out, but in the end, we were able to manually pressurize the cabin and climb to 27,000 feet, get better efficiency., 1996 @IndyCar Champ taking the baton for this leg. Anyone can read what you share. Townsend Bell and his wife Heather onboard their Beneteau Barracuda. Movies. The 2023 Sailing Convention for Women draws female sailors from different generations and backgrounds to share their knowledge, skills, and camaraderie. I think it's fair to say I love boating the most. His efforts shifted to Europe and in 2003 he was teammate to series champion Bjrn Wirdheim in International F3000 competition. Hobbs and Steve Matchett, analysts for NBC Sports Formula 1 coverage, occasionally rotate if Bell is on assignment. "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 . Bell was the first American to score a F3000 podium with a 3rd place at the Hungaroring and he finished 9th overall in a field covered with future Formula One talent - Giorgio Pantano, Patrick Friesacher, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Nicolas Kiesa among them. He is happily married to his wife Heather Campbell Bell. According to the on-air NBC crew at Daytona, Bell joked that Vasser drove not only so he would have to pay any speeding tickets, but so nothing would stand in the way of Bell racing. Throw his broadcasting work with NBC and a hectic family life with two small boys into the mix, and boating had to take something of a backseat for a time. Bell was on a limited-month schedule but had an impressive race day, advancing from 24th on the grid up to the top five. Bell posted his best Indianapolis 500 qualifying effort to date in 2011, racing for Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Townsend Bell, former INDYCAR, and CART and Champ Car driver, serves as an analyst for NBC Sports' INDYCAR coverage. He competed in the Formula Dodge Western Championship. from. Christopher Bell is married to his wife, Morgan Kemenah who is also his best friend. He is a member of famous Driver with the age 47 years old group. He's just an incredible source of enthusiasm and inspiration for me, and we've been successful. My wife and kids are into it. 6,022 followers. But it wasn't because I loved promoting myself. The couple tied a knot in February 2020 following their engagement in December 2018. (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap. His best result in 2008 was an eighth-place finish at Richmond International Raceway in June. Jun 9, 2015. Days earlier, he was attempting to get his internet service. Additionally, he has also been a participant of the Indianapolis 500 on 10 occasions and in 2009 he finished in fourth place. Another brief dalliance in karting at age 16 followed, but he spent his high-school sports tenure mostly on the soccer field. 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. It all seemed so easy. 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. So, how much is Townsend Bell worth at the age of 47 years old? 524 following. Townsends wife is an American realtor working as the director of residential estates for The Agency. All his items are engraved with his name, year and achievement. Bell was one hand with his wife . The pairing finished fourth overall in the full season GT Daytona class points. He decided to try to meet both his on-air and racing responsibilities. "I told her 'It's just a car race!'" Spirit of adventure and Huck Finn travels completed, Townsend turned to racing go-karts when he was 12 years old. Bell is a native of San Luis Obispo, Calif., and currently resides in California with his wife Heather and sons Jaxon and Jensen. A locked drawer in his closet was also removed, and most of the home was ransacked. ", The Bells still had to get themselves and the boat (Townsend's 12-year-old brother and a cousin were included in the motley crew) to the Mississippi. Well, maybe not that easy, but at least doable. 1 talking about this. The Associated Press 0:05 1:00 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. He began his racing career in the Barber Dodge Pro Series, and ascended to the Indy Lights series in 2000, where he finished second behind Scott Dixon before winning the series title in 2001. At night we'd stay in little motels along the Mississippi.". He spent time in karting, Skip Barber, Formula Dodge and the Barber Dodge Pro Series before graduating to Indy Lights in 2000. 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. Autoweek participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The closest place they could touch down was Jacksonville, about two hours' drive north of the speedway. Townsends net worth is $4.5 million. View Full Article in Timesmachine , See the article in its original context from. Former IndyCar driver Townsend Bell, who now works as an NBC analyst for the IndyCar series decided early last week he would try his own double duty this past weekend. Hobbs and Steve Matchett, analysts for NBC Sports Formula 1 coverage, occasionally rotate in if Bell is on assignment. He is a local of San Luis Obispo, CA, in the United States. "The first television job I did I believe was for Sky Sports in the U.K. doing Indy Car. 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.[3]. Furthermore, the announcement of Townsend racing in a Lexus was made by the Vasser Sullivan Racing. He started one race as an injury replacement for Tom Enge in the same car in 2005. CalDRE #01904054. Documents state Townsend-Bell billed Medicaid for. Then again, so is Townsend Bell, cramming new pieces of technology into the small office of his three-bedroom home in Los Angeles. Townsend Bell is an American professional motor racing driver who is currently working as a Racing Commentator for NBC. Townsend Bells income source is mostly from being a successful Driver. ", 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. Oliver Gavin and Townsend Bell join Vasser Sullivan Racing as part of the two-car driver lineup for the 24 Hours of Daytona. Jane Teresa Townsend Bell was born on April 19, 1975 in San Francisco, California, USA. Townsend Bell drives Indy cars for a living, so it's no surprise he considers doing 40 knots in his Beneteau Barracuda relaxing. Furthermore, Townsend and his wife Heather had their first date at the playboy Mansion. He made his first Indianapolis 500 appearance for Vision Racing in 2006, qualifying 15th and finishing 22nd. 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. Bell made his sports car debut in 2012 and won the 12 Hours of Sebring on debut with Alex Job Racing. Bell is hoping that makes it easier for the items to be found. He was a passenger on a plane chartered by team co-owner Jimmy Vasser that had an in-flight emergency. Subscribers may view the full text of this article in its original form through TimesMachine. He is currently competing full-time in the 2017 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona class with Alex Job Racing in an Audi R8 GT3 and will return to Le Mans with Ferrari. "Television was the last thing on my mind, ever," he laughs. or 'Test Drive' with Tommy Kendall. And he was captain of the water-ski team during college at University of California, Santa Barbara. To access his home, the thieves had to climb over a 6-foot fence and smash through the glass door in his master bedroom. The kids have fun, and luckily this is the first vehicular indulgence that my wife actually enjoys. He is currently working as a racing commentator for NBC along with Leigh Diffey and James Hinchcliffe. But his racing career appeared to be on its way to an inauspicious fade-out as a splintered U.S. open-wheel community meant opportunities were scarce. Well, actually, I'm back to zero now on Rolex watches, so maybe I would have been thinking during the race I had to win because I've got to start my whole collection over now.". And then the merger happened and it was like, OK, now at least we've got that out of the way; this gives us a place to build from. He then drove to Orlando (about an hour away) jumped on a $69 flight to Cincinnati and drove from there to Indianapolis, where he fulfilled his TV duties Saturday. He is a man of above-average stature. A partial CART season in 2002 did not produce spectacular results, though a fourth- and seventh-place finish caught attention. #racersfindaway. And from time to time he gets autograph seekers, one time recently in front of his sona nice, validating perk of the job not every dad gets to . 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