The number 99 BraunAbility/Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara/Honda/Firestone car will be driven by Townsend Bell, who will start sixth in Sunday’s race.
Ralph Braun, owner of the Braun Corporation in Winamac, and Sam Schmidt, owner of Sam Schmidt Motorsports, have both built successful businesses, both have the intense love of racing, and both have achieved remarkable careers while living and running their businesses from a wheelchair.
Braun said that racing and giving people with mobility challenges a way to get on the road are two of his passions, and bringing those together for the Indianapolis 500 is a dream come true for him. Sam Schmidt commented that Braun’s determination to build a company to help people with disabilities like his is an inspiration to him.
Townsend Bell’s best finish is fourth in 2009, which matches his best start in 2011. The green flag will drop at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at noon ET on Sunday, May 27.
