Chip Ganassi Racing Teams announced today that the Verizon IndyCar Series No. 83 Chevrolet driven by Charlie Kimball will be sponsored by Tresiba, Novo Nordisk’s once-daily, long-acting basal insulin medication for diabetics.
It continues the partnership Kimball, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2007, has maintained with Novo Nordisk for the eighth consecutive year. Kimball, 31, is in his sixth Verizon IndyCar Series season, all with the Ganassi team, following two years racing in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires.
A passionate diabetes advocate, Kimball is the face of Novo Nordisk’s award-winning Race with Insulin campaign, which aims to raise awareness and educate the public about diabetes management.
“The new look of this car represents something very personal to me,” said Kimball, whose lone Verizon IndyCar Series win came in 2013 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “Just as there have been advancements in racing, there have been advancements in the management of diabetes. The new look of my 2016 car represents another strong link between this program and the diabetes community,” said Kimball. “I am excited about the new design, not only because of the new look, but also because it represents the next phase in my effort to educate others.”
The car’s livery features a new black and green color scheme and carries the logo of Tresiba, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 2015.
“We love the new look of Charlie’s car and are thrilled to continue our partnership with Charlie and Chip Ganassi Racing,” said Camille Lee, senior vice president, diabetes and obesity marketing, Novo Nordisk Inc. “It has been rewarding to see Charlie inspire and educate others affected by diabetes. We are looking forward to a great season with Charlie and the No. 83 Tresiba Chevrolet, and are extremely excited about the future of the Race with Insulin campaign.”
Newgarden shows he's a 'natural'
"You're pretty good for a first timer. A natural talent," the public address announcer told Josef Newgarden after the Ed Carpenter Racing driver set the fastest lap times at a media karting race today at Autobahn Indoor Speedway in Bessemer, Ala., to promote the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.
Newgarden, the Verizon IndyCar Series driver who won the 2015 race at Barber Motorsports Park, took the comment in stride replying, "I may have to look into racing."
Newgarden was in Birmingham to promote the race, which he considers his home race due to its proximity to his hometown of Hendersonville, Tenn. Later in the day, Newgarden visited Nashville for additional media stops on the promotion tour. This year's Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama runs April 22-24.
“This is a fun day,” Newgarden said at the karting facility. “All the media were great and are super fun to deal with. I think they appreciate what we do with Indy cars at Barber and it’s cool to show them what it’s like, although it’s a kart. They get to be competitive. It’s not the level of a Indy car, but you’re on a track, competing and it’s fun to race karts against media members.”
Ticket information for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama is available at BarberMotortsports.com.
Phoenix to honor Foyt with race winner's trophy
Phoenix International Raceway will honor one of the greats of Indy car racing by unveiling the A.J. Foyt Champions Trophy on March 30 at the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix. The trophy will be presented to the winner of the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix when the Verizon IndyCar Series returns to PIR to race under the lights April 2 (8:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN).
Foyt won the inaugural race at PIR, the Phoenix 100, on March 22, 1964. He then went on to win a record 67 Indy car races and seven Indy car championships as a driver, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977.
Tickets for the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix race weekend April 1-2, the first Verizon IndyCar Series race at the 1.022-mile oval since 2005, are available at PhoenixRaceway.com.