SONOMA, Calif. — Driver Townsend Bell has proven himself behind the wheel of an IndyCar traveling at speeds of more than 190 mph. On Wednesday, he mastered another skill on the back patio of the main office at Infineon Raceway.
Bell, a native of San Francisco, demonstrated his cow-milking skills on Mabel, a six-year-old, 800-pound cow from nearby Mulas Dairy Farm in the Sonoma Valley.
Bell, the only California driver entered thus far in the Indianapolis 500, produced some premium California milk that will come in handy if he is fortunate enough to win the historic race on May 25. A bottle of milk, complete with a Townsend Bell label, will be shipped to Indianapolis for a proper California celebration in Victory Lane.
“When you get an invite like this prior to the Indy 500, you just can’t turn it down. I’d do anything to get an edge in the car,” said Bell, who lived in San Francisco for 12 years. “When you have a chance to come out and milk your own Indy 500 milk, you can’t turn it down. If I win the Indy 500, my enthusiasm will know no bounds, and I’ll drink just about anything.”
Bell was also in the Bay Area to promote the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County, Aug. 22-24, at Infineon Raceway. This will mark the IndyCar Series’ fourth straight visit to the Sonoma Valley, and the first since unification.
“This is one of the best road courses in the country. It’s close to the wine country and close to San Francisco,” Bell said. “When you have a challenging set of turns and elevation changes like this, it makes for a great course and a great race.”
Bell drives for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing on the IndyCar circuit, and he posted a season-best 10th-place finish at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan on April 20. This will mark his second Indy 500 — he competed in the event in 2006.
“When I was 10 years old, my dad took me to the Indy 500 and I couldn’t believe all the people. Being a part of the race is the first step; winning it is the next step for me.”
