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Spend much time at Knoxville Raceway and you will discover fan
favorite Robert Bell. Robert runs his race team on a tight budget. One
of those guys who races for the pure thrill of the competition.
One of the highlights of the year for Bell is running the Knoxville
Nationals but misfortune struck a couple of weeks earlier when a crank
broke. While replacing the crank, several cracks were discovered in
the block. It was sent out for repair and was due back on
Wednesday...the day that Robert was to qualify. The team traded
qualifying days with another driver so that they would be able to run on
Thursday.
Thursday's pit window closed with no Bell in the pits. He was traveling
to the race with his car and motor...the car in the hauler and the motor
in the back of a pick up truck. With the graciousness and
understanding of track promoter, Ralph Cappitani, the #71 was
scheduled for Friday night. This meant an early morning start to put a
motor into the car.
favorite Robert Bell. Robert runs his race team on a tight budget. One
of those guys who races for the pure thrill of the competition.
One of the highlights of the year for Bell is running the Knoxville
Nationals but misfortune struck a couple of weeks earlier when a crank
broke. While replacing the crank, several cracks were discovered in
the block. It was sent out for repair and was due back on
Wednesday...the day that Robert was to qualify. The team traded
qualifying days with another driver so that they would be able to run on
Thursday.
Thursday's pit window closed with no Bell in the pits. He was traveling
to the race with his car and motor...the car in the hauler and the motor
in the back of a pick up truck. With the graciousness and
understanding of track promoter, Ralph Cappitani, the #71 was
scheduled for Friday night. This meant an early morning start to put a
motor into the car.
| Early Friday morning the team, friends and supporters gathered at the hauler to begin the task of putting a car together for the biggest race of the year. |
| Hewitt's came by to lower the motor into the car. |
| Clockwise from lower left - Smurf, Don, Lonnie, and Robert look over the car |
| Sponsors are extremely important to those teams on a budget. The top wing puts the sponsor in a very prominent place. |
| It takes a lot of good people to help a race team get on the track for each race and racers are the quickest to recognize those who help them. |
| Frostie repaints the headers so that they look as good as the new car. |
| Lonnie applies the graphics to the top wing. |
| Despite the work ahead to get the car ready and the hot Iowa summer the crew was quick with a smile. |
| Visitor Number |
| Lots of people, lots of hands, not much time to spare. Sometimes it is just better to sit back and watch. |
| Lots of young fans show up to see what is going on. What better role model than a race team to demonstrate team work, perseverance, and hard work. |
| Work continued throughout the morning and early afternoon. Would the 71 be ready to run Friday night? Click here to see more of the story. |
| Visit www.robertbellracing.com to see Robert's schedule and news from the 71 team. |
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