IndyCar: New numbers for Kimball, Chilton with Carlin Motorsport
By Alex Herbst
Carlin Motorsport will make their debut in the IndyCar Series with Charlie Kimball and Max Chilton, who will also run with new numbers in 2018.
The 2018 season for the Verizon IndyCar Series could be one of the most exciting in recent years. Four new teams will join the grid for at least part of the season, including Michael Shank Racing, Harding Racing, Juncos Racing, and Carlin Motorsport.
The latter of these organizations made some news over the Christmas holiday, announcing the car numbers for their two drivers.
Charlie Kimball and Max Chilton will race for Carlin in 2018, changing their numbers for the first time in their IndyCar careers. After running the #83 and #8 cars respectively with Chip Ganassi Racing, they will switch to new numbers in the new year. Kimball will pilot the #23 Novo Nordisk Chevrolet, while Chilton races in the #59 Gallagher Group Chevrolet.
Christmas came early for our @IndyCar drivers this year! We’re proud to announce that @racewithinsulin will drive the No. 23 @novonordiskus @TeamChevy and @maxchilton will drive the No. 59 @AJGCORPORATE @TeamChevy for the 2018 #indycar season! #RaceWithInsulin #GallagherRacing pic.twitter.com/rCv61dxUPl
— Rodin Carlin (@RodinCarlin) December 23, 2017
Both the #23 and #59 will be used in the IndyCar Series for the first time since 2011. The last time Kimball’s new number was on track was in the Indianapolis 500, used by veteran Paul Tracy with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing. Meanwhile, the #59 was used full-time in 2011 by E.J. Viso with KV Racing Technology. In a coincidental twist, neither driver still competes in the IndyCar Series, and neither team races full-time any longer.
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Carlin will have an uphill battle to catch up to the veteran teams of the IndyCar Series in the next year, but will be up to the task thanks to their success in many other open-wheel series. After finding near-instant success in Indy Lights, it may take a little longer for them to get things put together at America’s top open-wheel rung. Working out of their shop in Florida may also put them at a disadvantage, joining just A.J. Foyt Racing as the only teams to be based outside the motorsports hubs of Charlotte and Indianapolis.
Despite these challenges, there are some inherent advantages to Carlin’s setup for 2018. Both drivers that arrived at the team are veterans, with Chilton and Kimball gaining plenty of experience and respect during their time with Ganassi. They will also benefit from the power of the Chevrolet engine, which has helped propel Team Penske to consecutive IndyCar championships.
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How do you think Carlin Motorsport will do in 2018? Will Chilton and Kimball shine among the new teams joining the IndyCar grid?