Our NBCSN Verizon IndyCar Series analyst Townsend Bell spent the last two days taking a motorcycle ride down the coast of California, from Sonoma where the season ended on Sunday back down to Santa Clarita by end of day Tuesday.
The ride follows the end of the season, when Simon Pagenaud - who Bell was a one-time teammate of in the 2012 Indianapolis 500 with Sam Schmidt’s team - secured his first IndyCar title in his fifth season.
Bell stopped for a few pics along the way, and they’re below:
Nirvana. Heading down the golden state the next 2 days. Send me your season ending questions for @IndyCaronNBCSN pic.twitter.com/WOBCmORh7J
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
Concourse de Motogance. Thank u @BMWMotorradUSA pic.twitter.com/tJD8PeNPBz
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
Muchas Gracias por GPS pic.twitter.com/4cxOIkbnGn
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 20, 2016
Unfortunately regulations prevent spending more time in Taft. Real shame. pic.twitter.com/IJhPiL4E8C
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 20, 2016
Sorry little fella. Wrong place, wrong time pic.twitter.com/15ob0af79s
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 20, 2016
More to the point, Bell also took a number of questions for a season-ending Twitter chat, with the @IndyCarOnNBCSN Twitter account.
The Q&A is below:
On the number of “Paul Tracy pre-race nap” photos...
2 many to count https://t.co/oKkldgUxAZ
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
On whether A.J. Foyt Enterprises will have any changes:
I hear two new drivers will be inbound. But it's never just one thing. All pieces have to work together. https://t.co/kVSsmY6dYN
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
And on where those two rising Americans, Josef Newgarden and Alexander Rossi, will land in 2017:
Penske and Andretti respectively. https://t.co/mwR3HW7Apf
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 20, 2016
On the 2018 IndyCar, new “universal kit” and head protection:
You have my vote! https://t.co/dTOjShe6h0
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
Easy 1 St step is to switch to methanol I'm told https://t.co/tTHVSjvBhg
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
ASAP. Big proponent I am https://t.co/yONInv65FQ
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
On why Team Penske asks for its drivers to dress corporately:
High and tight. That's Corp policy https://t.co/D6MwnH9s3l
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
On Indy Lights drivers eligibility coming into IndyCar:
I've been advocating for Indy lights guys to finish top 3 in championship before granted Indycar license. Used to be the unwritten rule https://t.co/d9ONX7l9Yh
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
On when he’ll be getting back behind the wheel himself, following 24 Hours of Le Mans win:
Hopefully soon. The LeMans buzz is starting to wear off! Time for another shot https://t.co/01c5xnKUe7
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
On whether he’d ever consider a dancing turn a la James Hinchcliffe...
I'd have a better chance playing in the @NBA https://t.co/30fBqRFvB7
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 20, 2016
And more Paul Tracy banter...
We are holding out for bigger contracts https://t.co/rIlBcahUMb
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
See 2009 Indy 500 results https://t.co/gv9L6nsQN6
— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) September 19, 2016
