By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
From British Formula 3 Championship, GP3 or Indy Lights, racing is nothing new to Carlin Racing in 2018.
One thing that is new for the Trevor Carlin-led organization, however, is the Indianapolis 500. And in the same breath… the Verizon IndyCar Series.
This is where Charlie Kimball comes in. The eighth-year veteran of the series has plenty of track time to aid in team development, driving their No. 23 Chevrolet alongside teammate Max Chilton.
Additionally, Kimball has seven prior Indy 500 starts, entering the Month of May with a baseline for the team’s first go.
“You spend a lot of time here and it’s easy to dial yourself out just as easy as it is to dial yourself in,” Kimball told Kickin’ The Tires. And with the conditions different. The track changes and evolves significantly, so you spend a lot of time working on things and hopefully making it better and better. But, you have to approach it intelligently.”
Finishing a best of third in 2015, the Indy 500 has been a fairly successful race for the 33-year-old. With another top five in 2016, Kimball has four top-10 finishes in seven starts.
“It really comes down to approach, the whole-month approach,” he said. “It’s being smart and intelligent, developing the car every time you go out and approaching it with the right mindset.”
Kimball starts 15th for Sunday’s 102nd Indy 500, a solid top-half position, however, only his second top-20 start all season. A lone top 10 at Long Beach stands as the team’s only top 10 this year across both cars and the challenges were expected to bleed into the Month of May.
Those struggles have seemed to be sidelined, however. Kimball has been heavily impressed with the team’s resolve throughout the month, having enough time to not only improve the car but improve the teamwork of the organization.
“We’ve had a great month,” he said. “I’m really impressed with all the crew at Carlin for their first time experiencing the Month of May. They haven’t missed a step. We’ve been working on the racecar a lot this week checking the boxes [and] making sure all the pit stops are ready, all the little things.”
Those little things could make a big difference in one of the most competitive races every year. And Kimball isn’t attacking them alone with teammate Chilton rolling off from 20th on Sunday. The ex-Formula 1 talent led the most laps in last year’s Indy 500 and will compete in the race for the third time this year.
Though Chilton’s experience is less, Kimball believes the Englishman’s point of view is invaluable to the team’s growth.
“Having that relationship builds a lot of confidence with me,” he said. “We’re able to work together, we understand what each other wants from the car and be able to do a good job at developing the team.
“He brings a fresh perspective. He comes with his own perspective from both here in the U.S. and across Europe.”
Though speed is lower than desired (Kimball running nearly three mph off the pole speed of Ed Carpenter) these challenges mostly come from inexperience from the team. Simply put, everything is new.
“We have a lot to learn,” he said. “But, we continue to make progress. The big thing is that we’re building a foundation of stones. Every time we move forward we’re not in a danger of sliding backward.
“The big challenge is we’re seeing everything for the first time. Everything is new. During the Month of May, Indy qualifying, our first run to make it into the race, we got one shot at it and we had to get it right. And they did.
“That’s the impressive thing; with how much to learn, how good a job they’re doing.”
One more thing that will become new for Kimball is the near future is a family. Kimball and his wife Kathleen are expecting their first child, making the announcement ironically on Bump Day.
“I’ve been practicing my dad jokes for years and now those are going to be just regular jokes when I’m a dad,” he said. I’m excited, a little terrified, but really excited. I’m looking forward to the journey ahead.”
(Below is a video capture of our conversation with Charlie Kimball)
