Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Mid-Ohio Race Plans

I’m very disappointed to miss out on the Mid-Ohio race weekend. We had such a good race there last year and I was really looking forward to another shot at the podium. However, I trust the medical professionals at INDYCAR, and we’re making sure I’m back to 100 percent for Sonoma. We’re lucky to have Giorgio in the seat of the No. 83 car while I’m healing up, and I’ll be there this weekend to help him and the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team. Even though I won’t be in the cockpit, I will do everything I can to drive the whole No. 83 car program forward for this season and the future. I have to thank Novo Nordisk and the whole Chip Ganassi Racing team for being supportive this past week.

For more information, check out the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing site here. Thanks to everyone for the support!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Mid-Ohio Prep

Well, it's been a few days since I've been in a race car and I already can't wait to get back on track! After getting back home from Edmonton late on Sunday night, I've been recuperating and training with PitFit.

Later today I'll make the drive to Mid-Ohio for a test tomorrow with the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team. We had one of our best races of the 2011 season there, so I'm looking forward to getting back and finding out what we can do with the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen car.

If you're in the Lexington, Ohio area, be sure to come out to the Mid-Ohio course tomorrow! Testing will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. More information is available here. Bring a blanket and picnic basket... and enjoy a bit of IndyCar before the race!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Keeping Up to Speed with Charlie - Edmonton


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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Live from Trackside - Edmonton

Sunday, July 22
3:45 p.m.
It was a tough race. We finished the race in 13th position but will record a 19th place finish due to a penalty on the last lap. We always knew it was going to be tough here. We felt pretty good about the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car. We saved some fuel and I went for the moves while they were there. We were really good on the brakes in the corners and into the straights. We’ll take it and move on to Mid-Ohio. I think we had such a good race there last year, so the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team will be looking to build on the momentum from this race there.
Leaving the grid after the command
Quick chat with Robin Miller before the race
9:08 a.m.
We had a pretty good warm up session this morning, ending up P10. We tried a few different things... both red and black tires, a couple of different fuel mixtures, and a couple of hot pit stop practices. The reds will be quick on this track today, but they most likely won't last a full stint so that's one thing we'll consider and work through. We'll start from P19 today, but I know the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car is fast and we'll be in the top-10 in no time!

About to head into an engineering meeting... Thanks for the support, everyone!


7:10 a.m.
It's race day! Just got to the track... I had a fun dinner with some of the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing guys last night and a good night's sleep. It looks like it will be a beautiful day here in Edmonton for the race this afternoon... 70's and sunny, with little wind. Hopefully these conditions work in our favor and we can get the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car up the field quickly. I think we have good race car, so I'm looking forward to getting out there.

I was a guest race analyst during the Firestone Indy Lights race yesterday, so be sure to tune into NBC Sports Network early at 12:30 p.m. ET to hear my commentary (let me know how I sound!). And of course stay tuned for the IZOD IndyCar Series race at 2 p.m. ET! Click here for your local listings.

Saturday, July 21
3:00 p.m.
I think we have a really good race car with the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car. We’re still figuring out the reds a little bit on the street course.  Tomorrow we need to just stay consistent. We have really good tires and a really good car. We know we can be quick and we know we can do the time, judging by what we’ve seen in qualifying. We’ll see where we end up after grid-penalties but the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team should be looking for a strong race tomorrow.

10:30 a.m.
We had a pretty good morning practice session. It stayed dry but the clouds are definitely moving in. The Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi guys have given me a good car to work with, so I know the speed is there--it's just making sure everything is exactly right to get to the point we want for qualifying.


7:45 a.m.
Just got to the track here in Edmonton. It rained overnight so the parking area was a bit muddy. I noticed a shoe that seemed to get left behind in a mud pile! I'll try to keep both of mine on my feet.

It's bright and sunny at the moment, but the forecast isn't looking great for qualifying... 70-80 percent chance of rain throughout the day. But no matter the conditions, the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team will make the most of it and work to be in the top-10 spots for qualifying today.

A reminder: Keep track of qualifying via live timing and scoring at 3 p.m. ET here, or watch on NBC Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Friday, July 20
4:15 p.m.
It was a good start to the Edmonton weekend. We found some things that didn’t work and some things that did work, so we’ll be in good shape going into tomorrow. We have some ideas so we’ll come up with a game plan overnight. The No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car is good enough and the Honda engine is good enough, so I think we can be close to the top-10 tomorrow. The weather might throw a wrench in to tomorrow, but the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team will be ready to go!

1:15 p.m.
We had a pretty good first practice session. We aren't quite as fast as last year's times yet, but we're working on it. I finished up P13, so we'll see what we can do in this afternoon's session and see what we can do for qualifying tomorrow.





9:30 a.m.
Good morning from a relatively chilly Edmonton! I think I was almost getting used to the 100-degree weather in Indy. Just got to the track a few minutes ago so I'll have some time to chat with Brad and the team before practice at 10:50. It's a fast circuit, and one I like, so hopefully we come out with another good result!

I'm thinking of everyone in Aurora, Colorado today... what a tragic night.

Thursday, July 19
11:15 a.m.
After a great time at Camp Stix with yesterday in Washington, I'm up in Edmonton now getting ready for the race weekend. I'll grab some lunch then go meet with the team before the track walk at 2. Though I enjoyed the weekend off, I'm more than ready to get back on track with the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car!

Here's a run-down of the race weekend schedule (all times local/Mountain):

Friday, July 20
10:50-11:50 a.m. Practice
2:30-3:30 p.m. Practice

Saturday, July 21
9-10 a.m. Practice
1-2:15 p.m. Qualifying

Sunday, July 22
8-8:30 a.m. Warm Up
12 p.m. Edmonton Indy race (live on NBC Sports Network, 2 p.m. ET)

Find live timing and scoring for all sessions here. Be sure to tune in to NBC Sports Network early for the Firestone Indy Lights race at 12:30 p.m. ET... I'll be in the broadcast booth!

Thanks to everyone for the continued support and well-wishes following Toronto. Truly appreciated.

P.S. Congrats to William E., winner of my "Tweet and Win" #TakeThePledge83 contest! William and his son will join me as my guests in Sonoma!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Back to work... and hopefully the podium!

After Toronto, IndyCar had an off-weekend so I've been spending the time training with PitFit, cleaning (and enjoying) my Axis boat, and relaxing with friends. I've been training with fellow Team USA Scholarship winners at PitFit, and man, they've been wearing me out! We did take a break from the gym recently to spend an afternoon on the paddle boards at Morse Lake--lots of fun.

Paddle boards at Morse!
Now, it's back to work! I'm headed to the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing shop later today to meet with my engineers to prep for Edmonton. On Wednesday, I'm headed to Washington state for an appearance with Novo Nordisk at a summer camp for kids who have diabetes. Wish I could hang out with the kids at the camp longer (they're always having a blast!) but I'll leave for Edmonton on Wednesday evening to get to the track for the race weekend.

I'm looking forward to getting back on track with the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car at Edmonton. I had a ton of fun driving in Toronto a couple of weekends ago and I think the whole Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team is going to use the podium finish as momentum heading into Edmonton. We didn't have a lot of luck here last year but with some hard work and smart strategy, we could have another good result this weekend!

P.S. Tune into Trackside tonight at 7-9 p.m. ET on 1070 The Fan... I'm guest co-hosting with Curt Cavin. Not in Indy? Listen online here. I'll be on at 8!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Tweet and win!

Toronto was a ton of fun--and to thank you for your support, I want you to come join me at a race!

I'm giving away two INDYCAR race credentials (which get you major behind-the-scenes access into the pits and garage!) to the winner, for the race weekend of his/her choice at Sonoma, Baltimore or Fontana. In addition to the credentials, you'll also be my special guest for the weekend at the Novo Nordisk FlexPen Tunnel.

Want to win?! It's easy!

1. Follow me on Twitter at @racewithinsulin.
2. Since we have a string of street courses/circuits coming up on the IndyCar schedule, reply to @racewithinsulin with your favorite road/street course.
3. Use the hashtag #TakeThePledge83 and check out racewithinsulin.com to Take the Pledge and win!

I'll randomly pick the winner before I head to Edmonton on Wednesday, July 18. Good luck!


Live from Trackside - Honda Indy Toronto

Monday, July 9
11:38 a.m.
Wow, what a race. It was a great day for the whole team!

I know that there were only 25 of us out there, but the amount of times I passed people there felt like there were about 50 cars, so a lot of credit to the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing crew. The No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car was quick and all I had to do was turn and make a couple of moves when they were there. That last restart got pretty busy, but at the end of the day we came home with a clean result and all credit to Ryan. They worked the strategy, started up front and stayed there. I think today, ‘conservative’ was maximum attack. When you’re going for it, the thing was sideways everywhere. You really had to push. What they did on the repaving made for great racing. I don’t know about everybody in the stands, but I sure had a lot of fun in the cockpit. And I can’t wait to get back, not only here next year, but to Edmonton in two weeks.

Thanks for all of the support and messages! Much appreciated. Now, the work starts for Edmonton!




Sunday, July 8
9:45 a.m.
We had an early start to the day, but I was excited to get on track for sure. It was bright and sunny for warm-up, and I felt really good about the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car. We tried a few different things, did a few hot pit stops, and finished up P5. I think the car is even better than in Sao Paulo or Detroit, so I feel comfortable going into the race later today.

For now I'm about to meet with the team to discuss race strategy, then I have a meet and greet with the Novo Nordisk Canada folks before pre-race.

Tune into the Honda Indy Toronto on ABC at 12:30 p.m. ET!

Saturday, July 7
5:30 p.m.
Just finished up with the autograph session. I think it was a really good qualifying session. We made progress all weekend. The No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car was pretty quick. Even though we qualified 15th, we’ll start at least 13th with the grid penalties. We have some good tires for the race. The Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing crew will work the strategy in the pits and hopefully I can make some moves on-track so we’ll be in the top-10 tomorrow.

11:25 a.m.
We had a pretty good practice session this morning in Toronto. It started raining on the way to the circuit, but it held up for the most part during practice. The sun came out about halfway through the session, so the track started to dry quickly and we got some fast laps in. I'm feeling good about the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car for qualifying! Follow along live at 1:05 p.m. ET at http://racecontrol.indycar.com.

Friday, July 6
3:41 p.m.
It was a really good first day here at Toronto. The Honda Indy is always a fun event and it’s great to see the Canadian fans out. I think the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car is good shape. We missed a little bit on new tires in the second session as the track rubbered in. I think the whole Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing crew is working really hard, having good pit stops, and having a lot of fun today. It’s great to be here in Toronto and the fans are really good to have.




10:20 a.m.
I had a great dinner with friends last night here in downtown Toronto... always one of my favorite places to visit. There were already tons of fans out this morning when I walked into the paddock! First on the agenda today is an engineering meeting with my team before practice at 11. It's already pretty hot out here, but I'm really looking forward to being back in the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car!

Thursday, July 5
5:00 p.m.
Hello from Toronto! I hope you all (or y'all, as my good friend would say) had a fun 4th of July holiday. I arrived in town this morning and headed to Novo Nordisk's Canadian headquarters for a meet and greet with their employees. One thing I love about Novo Nordisk is that no matter where you go, their enthusiasm for their work is always high! Thanks to them for having me.

I just finished up with the track walk and a bit of time with my engineers. Headed to have dinner before getting some rest for tomorrow's sessions!

Here's a quick rundown of the race weekend (all times Eastern):

Friday:
11:05 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Practice
1:55 p.m.-2:55 p.m. Practice

Saturday:
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Practice
1:05 p.m.-2:25 p.m. Qualifying
4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Autograph session (at Victory Circle)

Sunday:
8 a.m.-8:20 a.m. Warmup
12:30 p.m. Honda Indy Toronto (live on ABC)

Timing and scoring available for all sessions here.

Keeping Up to Speed with Charlie - Toronto


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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

On to Toronto, eh!

After a seven week long stretch of consecutive weekends at a race track, it was nice to have a few days off to relax and reenergize! I took the Axis boat down to Tennessee with some friends, and it was just what I needed... sun, water and down-time. Yesterday I flew to Orlando for the Children with Diabetes "Friends for Life" conference for an appearance on behalf of Novo Nordisk. They put on a teen driving clinic which was right up my alley so I helped out a bit. Now I'm ready to be back in an IndyCar... bring on Toronto!

I'm looking forward to going back to a street circuit. Last year we had a fast car in Toronto and were able to move up the field with good pit stops and race strategy, so I know we can do that again with the No. 83 NovoRapid FlexTouch car. The whole Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team will be working hard to get another top-10 finish and start building more momentum for the second half of the season!

Happy 4th of July to everyone... hope you enjoy the holiday! I'm proud to represent our great country every weekend at the race track!

P.S. In case you missed "INDYCAR 36: Charlie Kimball" on NBC Sports Network, click here or below to watch the full episode! Let me know what you think.