IndyCar: Charlie Kimball confirmed at A.J. Foyt Enterprises for 2020

A.J. Foyt Enterprises have confirmed that Charlie Kimball is set to compete full-time for the team in the 2020 IndyCar season.

After his first season as a part-time driver in 2019 following eight years of full-time competition, Charlie Kimball is set to return to IndyCar on a full-time basis for the 2020 season with financial backing from long-time primary sponsor Novo Nordisk.

Confirming previous speculation, A.J. Foyt Enterprises have announced that Kimball is set to drive the #4 Chevrolet throughout the 17-race season as the replacement for the IMSA-bound Matheus Leist and as their lone full-time driver.

Kimball, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with Chip Ganassi Racing and the eighth season of his career with Carlin before competing part-time for Carlin last year, is now the 19th, likely out of 20, confirmed full-time driver in next year’s field.

Here is what Kimball had to say about this opportunity, according to a team press release.

"“I’m excited and honored to join AJ Foyt Racing and be a part of a team that has such deep roots in history at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar. Continuing the partnership with Novo Nordisk is also special since they have been an integral part of my career since I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I’m more motivated than ever to work with the team to succeed at every IndyCar race in 2020. Thank you to AJ Foyt Racing, Novo Nordisk and our other partners for this opportunity.”"

Kimball has competed in 141 races over the course of nine seasons, and he has recorded six podium finishes, including one win. His lone win came at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August of 2013, and his most recent podium finish is a third place finish at Sonoma Raceway in August of 2015.

He also finished in third place in the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway back in May of 2015.

Kimball has taken one pole position, that being his pole at Texas Motor Speedway in June of 2017, and he has led 163 of the 17,360 laps that he has completed. He finished in a career-high ninth place in the championship standings in the 2013 and 2016 seasons.

Here is what team president Larry Foyt had to add about Kimball joining the team.

"“Charlie brings a great deal of experience and skill to the team. He is motivated to show what he can do behind the wheel, and his recent experience of helping develop cars will be beneficial as we work to get the 4 car moving up the grid. Novo Nordisk has been a long-time supporter of Charlie and IndyCar. We want to welcome them to AJ Foyt Racing and we look forward to joining them in their effort to increase the awareness of diabetes.”"

Brian Hilberdink, Senior Vice President, Commercial Diabetes at Novo Nordisk, added the following.

"“We are proud to continue our long-term partnership with Charlie Kimball and look forward to an exciting 2020 IndyCar season with the legendary AJ Foyt Racing. For more than a decade, we’ve utilized our involvement in IndyCar to share Charlie’s inspiring journey living with diabetes through the Race with Insulin initiative. Charlie is one of the most active ambassadors in the diabetes community and his passion and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those who are living with diabetes is unwavering. We look forward to continuing this tradition with AJ Foyt Racing, Charlie and the diabetes community throughout the IndyCar season.”"

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A.J. Foyt Enterprises’ plans for the #14 Chevrolet, which has been driven by Tony Kanaan since the 2018 season, remain unconfirmed, other than the fact that it is set to be on the grid in 2020 and driven by multiple drivers.

Kanaan is still believed to be in position to land a part-time ride, likely for at least the five oval races, and he remains confident that he will be back. Former Indy Lights driver Dalton Kellett, who has never competed in an IndyCar race, is another name that has been mentioned given the fact that he has enough funding for a part-time entry, and Sebastien Bourdais, who was cut by Dale Coyne Racing following the conclusion of the 2019 season, has recently entered the picture as well, even with an IMSA ride lined up for the upcoming year.

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How will Charlie Kimball perform in his first IndyCar season competing for A.J. Foyt Enterprises and his first full-time campaign in two years? The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is scheduled to get the 2020 season underway on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida on Sunday, March 15, and it is set to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET.