Andretti Autosport picks Townsend Bell for fifth Indy 500 seat
Townsend Bell will drive Andretti Autosport's fifth entry in the 2016 Indianapolis 500

The American joins Andretti's full-season IndyCar Series drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2014 Indy winner, Marco Andretti, Carlos Munoz and Formula 1 convert Alexander Rossi.
"I'm thrilled to have another chance at Indy, especially the 100th running," Bell said.
"It's always a privilege to be there but to do it with Michael and Andretti Autosport, I'm thrilled.
"It's my best chance with the best team that I've raced for in terms of pedigree at Indianapolis. They have won the race three times.
"To get a chance to work with Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, Carlos Munoz and Alexander Rossi is great. My engineer will be Craig Hampson. I couldn't be happier."
This year will be Bell's 10th Indy 500 start. The 40-year-old's IndyCar outings have been mostly confined to the series' premier race in the last eight years, with his full-time campaigns coming in sportscars.
Last season he won the GTD class title in what was then the United SportsCar Championship alongside Scuderia Corsa Ferrari team-mate Bill Sweedler.
Team owner Michael Andretti said Bell's Indy performances each year proved his lack of regular IndyCar racing was no handicap.
"He hasn't been with the top teams but it seems like he's always there in the top 10 and I feel like if we can put a good car under him he has a good shot at winning the race," said Andretti.
"Even though he is not in the car full-time, Townsend has proven he can quickly get up to speed - he's shown it's possible to compete once a year and be competitive."
EXPECTED EXTRA INDIANAPOLIS 500 ENTRIES SO FAR
AJ Foyt Racing: Alex Tagliani
Andretti Autosport: Townsend Bell
Dale Coyne Racing: Pippa Mann, Bryan Clauson
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: Sage Karam
Ed Carpenter Racing: JR Hildebrand
Grace Autosport: Katherine Legge
Team Murray/KVSH: Matthew Brabham

Helio Castroneves on Phoenix IndyCar pole as Chevrolet dominates
Honda stumped by deficit to Chevrolet in Phoenix IndyCar qualifying

Latest news
Nashville IndyCar winner Dixon feared race was ruined by shunt
Scott Dixon was convinced that car damage had ended his victory hopes at IndyCar's Nashville round, before working his way to the front to eventually claim his 53rd series win.
Palou sure he has "fair shot" at IndyCar title despite Ganassi conflict
Defending IndyCar champion Alex Palou is sure he will have a chance to retain his crown despite being only third highest Ganassi driver and on the brink of an acrimonious departure.
Newgarden unapologetic over Grosjean clash in Nashville IndyCar race
Josef Newgarden said “welcome to IndyCar” in response to his clash with Romain Grosjean that took the French driver out of the Nashville race.
IndyCar Nashville: Dixon triumphs through the chaos
Scott Dixon came from 20th with a crippled car to beat fellow New Zealander Scott McLaughlin to win a crash-riddled Nashville IndyCar race.
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Chip Ganassi Racing team was strong again in the Indianapolis 500, with poleman Scott Dixon and reigning champion Alex Palou leading almost three quarters of the race between them. But when dominator Dixon was penalised for pitlane speeding, ex-Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson stepped up to score the biggest win of his career and seize the IndyCar points lead
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
Romain Grosjean's swashbuckling rookie year in IndyCar captured the imagination of many in 2021. But another ex-Formula 1 driver whose potential was masked by five years of toil in, at best, middling machinery also enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 - winning twice and finishing sixth in points. Here's how Marcus Ericsson finally delivered on his promise
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
IndyCar sophomore Alex Palou stunned by overcoming team-mate Scott Dixon and the rest of a white-hot field in 2021. He was consistently fast and crucially showed a level head, rebounding well from setbacks to put himself in a near unassailable position entering the final round
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Despite appearing to have an IndyCar job for life with Meyer Shank Racing, Jack Harvey’s departure and move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate. However, Harvey's and RLL's combined strengths could prove to be a winning combination - if they get the balance right
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Saturday 16 October marks the 10th anniversary of Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong junior career and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear
Why IndyCar title glory is just the start for Ganassi's new star
Newly-crowned IndyCar champion Alex Palou has been lauded as a complete driver and veteran-like in only his second season. The 24-year-old is still in the early days of his career, but the parallels are there for all to see with his six-time champion Chip Ganassi Racing team-mate who has been CGR's team leader since 2014