California-native Townsend Bell is back at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2015 for his ninth attempt at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. When he reviewed the list of available car numbers, he stopped at No. 24. He immediately thought of five-time Brickyard 400 winner Jeff Gordon, who is synonymous with that car number.
Jeff Gordon announced earlier this year that 2015 would be his final season as a full-time NASCAR driving and is also slated to drive the pace car for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500. Bell's Indy car will become a stylish, Robert Graham-designed color scheme tribute to Gordon including the familiar "24" font that has adorned the 4-time NASCAR series champion's car for 23 seasons and 92 victories.
Even the cockpit will be carry the Gorden theme, with Bell being surrounded by pictures of the veteran driver.
"I've always been a fan of Jeff's. He got his career really started here in Indiana," says Bell. "So with his blessing, we're borrowing the No. 24 in his font. I've met him a couple of times and I'm sure we'll see him when he comes to drive the pace car."
In the 2014 Indy 500, Bell ran as high as second in the race before his suspension failed with just 10 laps to go. He finished in 25th place.