Attention fans in Tampa Bay: Tune in!

My race weekend is starting bright and early tomorrow… I’ll be heading to the WTSP Studio 10 studios for a segment with my good friend (and big IndyCar follower) Jerome Ritchey. I’ll be talking to him about the start of the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season, all of the fun things I’m doing with Novo Nordisk this year, and of course the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. I’ve even got a special surprise for Jerome this year. Let’s just say he should brush up on his tire-changing skills!

Tune in to WTSP-TV (CBS) at 9 a.m. Eastern to catch us live! Online video for those in other areas will be available in the afternoon.

Sparkles and connections

It's back down in the 20s here in Indy, so I thought it's a good time as any to "think warm" and talk boating! Last Saturday I hung out at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show with Mid-Indiana Marine and Axis Wake. As always, the folks at Mid-Indiana and Axis put on a really impressive display. I'm biased, but I think the best was to see this sparkly-orange Axis A24 when I arrived. Yes, I'll be taking this one out on the water this summer!

Being at the show with all of the beautiful boats made me really anxious to get on the water, so I'm already deep in planning a trip with friends for this summer!

Can't wait to get in the water!

Isn't she pretty?!

The boat show was really busy, and it was great to meet a lot of IndyCar fans and make some new connections. Thanks to the family wearing No. 83 shirts for stopping by! I even met a fellow type 1 named Britney. It always amazes me just how small all of my worlds are--from racing, to hobbies like boating, to the diabetes community--and how we're all connected!

Speaking of being connected, be sure you're following me on Twitter @racewithinsulin and on Facebook for updates from the track soon. This Saturday marks the first day of March which means it's almost time to go racing! Hope to see you at the track this season.

The best alternative to boating on the water? A boat show!

Thanks to our friend the Groundhog, it seems as though we've got at least six more weeks of winter before we can get back out on the water. Thankfully, I'll get my "boat fix" in a couple of weeks at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show! I'll be hanging out with the Mid-Indiana Marine and Axis Wake folks, and I hope to see you there too! I might even have some hats and goodies to sign and give away.

Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2-4 p.m.
Mid-Indiana Marine booth #402
For ticket information, please click here.

A stop in Phoenix and the Motor City

2014 is definitely up and rolling! After the Sebring test, I spent a few days at home in Indy before going to Phoenix for an appearance with Novo Nordisk. It's true--there's nothing I'd rather do than race cars, but it's also great to have the opportunity to speak in front of engaged groups like last Thursday!

From Phoenix, I went straight to the frozen tundra currently known as Detroit for a few appearances and media events with Team Chevy and the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, along with Juan Pablo Montoya. In the morning we made a few stops at local TV and radio stations then toured the Shinola factory. That was super cool! For someone like me who enjoys all things engineering, being able to see how they create and put together the watches was awesome. After the tour, they gave me my very own Shinola watch--massive thanks to them!

FOX2 with Montoya. (photo via @DetroitGP)

Very intricate job! (photo via @DetroitGP)

Thanks Shinola for this beauty--love the colors!

We headed to the North American International Auto Show for the afternoon, and wow, I could have spent all day just wandering around! It was really fun to meet fans and chat with Team Chevy reps on stage, surrounded by all of their impressive machines.

At the auto show with Montoya. (photo via @DetroitGP)

When I returned home to Indy, I was greeted by a brand new plaque from the USF2000 Championship! I'm really honored to be a part of their Hall of Fame. I have a lot of good memories from my 2003 season with them.

Hall of Fame-r!

Stay warm, everyone!

Are you a VIP? You can be, at Wheels & Wings!

I'll be hanging out at Wheels & Wings on Saturday, Feb. 8, and I want to see YOU there too! The event benefits Nine13sports and Flight1, two non-profit organizations that support and provide some pretty cool opportunities for youth here in central Indiana. And... they gave me three pairs of VIP tickets to give away. Awesome!

When: Saturday, Feb. 8, 8-11 p.m. (VIP access at 7 p.m.)
Where: Speak Easy, 5255 Winthrop Ave., Indianapolis
What: A night of  a night of celebrating the wheels and wings that support youth across central Indiana. Live music, silent auction, drinks served by Sun King Brewing, and more.

How to win: 
1. Follow me on Twitter (@CharlieKimball).
2. I'll send out three tweets about the event, at different times/days... just retweet one of my messages!
3. I'll pick a random retweet-er on Friday, Jan. 24, Monday, Jan. 27 and Wednesday, Jan. 29. Each winner will receive a pair of VIP tickets to the event.
Fine print: You have to be 21 years or older and already plan to be in the Indy area on Feb. 8 to win. 

Good luck!

Click here for more info!

Visit me at the auto show in Detroit with Team Chevy!

I'll be dressed in my finest "bowtie" (or perhaps just a new team shirt) for my first Team Chevy public appearance this Friday! Come see me at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit at the Chevrolet display and WXYZ stage. I'm joining fellow IndyCar driver Juan Pablo Montoya, as well as Cadillac Racing World Challenge drivers Johnny O’Connell and Andy Pilgrim, for a full day of media and fun. Details are below... hope to see you there!

Friday, January 24
North American International Auto Show
Cobo Center
One Washington Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48226
Tickets and additional information available here.
Click here for a show map.

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Autograph session at the Chevrolet display.
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.  Q&A and autograph session with Team Chevy at the WXYZ stage (Michigan Hall).