» IndyCars: Townsend Bell back for Indy 500

Townsend Bell will reunite with Sam Schmidt Motorsports for this month’s Indianapolis 500, with the team announcing that the American will be the team-mate to Simon Pagenaud in the outfit’s expanded two-car line-up.

Bell has raced for the team at the world’s most famous oval race for the past two years, achieving top-ten qualifying results in 2010 and 2011. His best finish at Indianapolis is a fourth-placed result, achieved in 2009 with KV Racing.

“Townsend is one of those drivers that gets it done at Indy,” said team owner Sam 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.”

“Fast (sic) and consistency win the Indianapolis 500,” added 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 #99 car will give me another shot at winning.”