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IndyCar: Max Chilton confirms 13-race Carlin deal for 2020

By Asher Fair

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Max Chilton of England, driver of the #59 Gallagher Carlin Chevrolet drives during testing for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 19, 2019 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Max Chilton of England, driver of the #59 Gallagher Carlin Chevrolet drives during testing for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 19, 2019 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Max Chilton is set to drive for Carlin in the 12 road and street course races and the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 in the 2020 IndyCar season.

Max Chilton, who drove full-time for Carlin in their maiden IndyCar season back in 2018 and part-time for the team last year, is set to return to the team on a part-time basis in the 2020 season.

The 28-year-old Briton is set to pilot the #59 Chevrolet in the 12 road and street course races throughout the 17-race season after giving up competing in oval races last June. He is set to do so with primary sponsorship from Gallagher, as he has done since making his IndyCar debut in 2016.

But despite the fact that Chilton gave up competing in oval races after failing to qualify for last year’s Indianapolis 500, he is also set to return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 104th running of the Indy 500 in May.

Here is what Chilton had to say about this opportunity, according to IndyCar.

"“I’m excited to formally announce that Gallagher will be back for the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season partnering with Carlin for the third season and myself for our fifth season together. The partnership between myself, Gallagher and Carlin is a strong one that honestly feels more like family than the normal motorsports driver, sponsor, and team relationship.“I couldn’t be more thankful for Gallagher’s continued support of myself and Carlin as we work toward success in the NTT INDYCAR. To have the opportunity to represent more than 30,000 employees of Gallagher, a brand that focuses so heavily on teamwork and innovation, is a true privilege and I look forward to getting solid results this season.”"

Here is what Carlin team principal Trevor Carlin had to add.

"“It is such an honor to have Gallagher back on board for our third season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. They have been such a loyal partner to not only Max during his time in the series, but also to our team as we build our program from the ground up. We’re thankful that Gallagher believes in our mission and supports the team as we do our absolute best to represent their brand at every race event. We had some ups and downs last season, but we’re confident that 2020 will be a great year for us.”"

Here is what Gallagher Chief Marketing Officer Chris Mead had to say.

"“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Carlin for the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. This partnership has increased awareness of our company by a global audience over the past five years, and we wish Max and the Carlin team a successful year.”"

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Chilton is the first driver to be confirmed by Carlin for the 2020 season following a year in which six drivers competed for the team at some point, seven including the Carlin-affiliated McLaren deal for Fernando Alonso in the Indy 500.

He is also the only driver who has been heavily linked to one of the team’s two cars for the upcoming year.

There is still no word regarding who will be the driver of the #59 Chevrolet in the oval races, nor is there word on which driver or drivers will compete in the team’s second car throughout the year.

Chilton’s deal closely resembles that of Conor Daly at Ed Carpenter Racing. Daly is set to drive the #20 Chevrolet in the 12 road and street course races, and he is set to pilot a separate entry in the Indy 500.

In 29 starts for Carlin over the course of two years, Chilton’s average finish is 17.2. His best finishes are his 11th place finishes on the streets of Belle Isle in June of 2018 and at Portland International Raceway in September of 2019.

Before arriving at Carlin in 2018, Chilton spent two seasons competing for Chip Ganassi Racing. He finished in a career-high fourth place in the 101st running of the Indy 500 back in May of 2017.

His best career road course finish is seventh place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in May of 2017, and his best career street course finish is seventh on the streets of Toronto in July of 2017.

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NBC Sports Network is set to broadcast the 2020 IndyCar season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg live from the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 15.