Bell to replace Moreno at Patrick?

[Speedworx]

I have learned that veteran Brazilian Champ Car driver Roberto Moreno is on the brink of losing his drive at Patrick Racing.

Sources within the team say that American Townsend Bell, who currently leads the Indy Lights point standings, will test a Patrick Reynard-Toyota at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Monday.

If the test is successful, Bell is expected to replace Moreno with immediate effect, beginning at next weekend's Champ Car round at Road America.

The 26-year old from San Luis Obispo, California, has scored three Indy Lights race wins in 2001 and leads the series standings by 19 points over Damien Faulkner. Bell won two races and finished second to PacWest Champ Car driver Scott Dixon (the top Champ Car rookie so far this year) in the Lights series in 2000.

Bell is known for his polish off the track, and his ability to bring sponsorship to the table was no doubt a factor in Patrick's decision to replace Moreno as team owner U.E. 'Pat' Patrick has essentially funded Jimmy Vasser's car out of his own pocket this year.

Moreno's car is sponsored by automotive component manufacturer Visteon, but Patrick believes Vasser is a better long-term bet for his team.

The 42-year old Moreno earned a popular first CART race win at Cleveland in 2000, and went on to finish third in the title chase. But his 2001 season got off to a poor start before he rebounded for consecutive podium finishes at Detroit and Portland.

Sorry to any Moreno fans, but WOOHOO!!!!!

[marcus]

NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!

How could they do this ..Roberto moreno is an awesome driver ...Ok so this year hasnt been so good but the last few races he has really started performing.

i hope this doesnt happen ..townsend bell is a good driver but i hope that they decide to keep moreno in the seat.

[macdaddy]

This is tough. Sure, Bell deserves a chance in the big leagues, but it would be nice if Moreno could finish out the season. This would better his chances of getting a ride for next year. He's still got some race wins in him, afterall. Only guy I know who could drive my van from Ontario to California on a single tank of gas. He's personable and emotional, and a fan favourite because of it.

Does Tora bring sponsorship with him to Walker Racing? If not, it would be great if Moreno could take over that ride if Patrick releases him. Could even revitalize that team.

[Liz]

Tora: Yes. Mucho Dinero. $5 million or so is what I hear.

I have not heard this story about Townsend Bell, and I would doubt that Patrick would dump a sponsored driver and retain an unsponsored driver to give a rookie a drive. I am not biased at all by the fact that I look on Moreno with the same admiring eye that some of you have cast on Memo Gidley - compounded by the fact that this may be his last hurrah, and Townsend Bell has (if he is any good once he moves up to Champ Cars, which is not guaranteed) a good 10 years to make his bones in the sport.

But stranger things have happened in racing, and I will wait and see.

[Speedworx]

Moreno has doen what he wanted. He has had a full time ride and won a race.

He is never going to win the title. So he might as well go back to Brazil. I'd rather see more Americans in CART than the hoards of Brazilians.

[domaza]

Moreno will stay! It is a FACT!

[Liz]

That is a racist remark and I am surprised at you. Me, I want to see the best racing possible, and if nobody has stepped forward to sponsor Vasser in an entire year, that would seem to me to indicate just WHO is the weakest link here ... "Yo, Jimmy! GOODBYE!"

[SevenGrain]

Bell has a test scheduled for Monday, this is true. But the folks at Autosport are the only ones that I've found reporting that Moreno's ride is in jeopardy for the remainder of the season.
I spoke with Kevin Diamond (Media Relations; Patrick Racing)this afternoon and he told me that the report was untrue and Moreno would be in the car for the balance of the season.
Of course neither Vasser or Moreno have a contract beyond this season...

[f1manoz]

It would be a great shame if a driver who is as popular and as skilled as Moreno (and who is one of my favourites too) would be dropped just because of a bad start to the season. Of late, he has performed very well and deserves to keep his seat for at least this season.

As for Bell, I've seen him in the Lights series, and though I have no doubt he is immensely talented, let's look at the standard of what the Lights series has become (barely 12 cars) before we start even thinking of replacing seasoned drivers in CART, such as Patrick drivers Vasser and Moreno.