Charlie Kimball
Charlie Kimball is the first licensed driver with diabetes to win a race in the NTT IndyCar Series. Kimball, who began racing go-karts at age 9, was accepted into Stanford University and chose to bypass admission to follow his dream to become a race car driver.
In 2007, Kimball was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and was forced to abandon his racing program mid-season. After his surprising diagnosis, Kimball returned to the cockpit in 2008 and claimed a podium finish in his first race back in the car. Today, Kimball continues to compete in one of the most competitive racing categories in the world, proving that living with diabetes does not have to restrict him from traveling at speeds of more than 200 miles an hour and fulfilling his dream.
Kimball is the first licensed driver with diabetes in the history of INDYCAR and currently drives the No. 4 Chevrolet for A.J. Foyt Racing in the NTT IndyCar Series.
As further testament to his standing in the diabetes community, Kimball has partnered with Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company dedicated to diabetes care, to raise awareness of the importance of properly managing blood glucose levels and to demonstrate that diabetes can be successfully integrated into your life and your ambitions. As part of the partnership, Kimball makes appearances on behalf of the company and helps spread awareness of diabetes. Kimball and Novo Nordisk made headlines by sending the first pharmaceutical-branded tweet in 2009 via their @racewithinsulin account.
Kimball has a history of breaking the mold. Prior to his diagnosis, in 2005 Kimball shattered the European stereotype that "Americans are not fast" by becoming the first American in 11 years to win a British Formula 3 race. He went on to secure two track records and several Formula 3 victories in both Britain and Europe. In 2009, Kimball returned race in the US in the Firestone Indy Lights series to build his experience in oval racing. In 2010 he finished 4th overall, piloting the No. 26 Levemir® FlexPen® Novo Nordisk sponsored car for the AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport team.
After two successful years in Firestone Indy Lights, Kimball joined the newly formed Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team in 2011 for his rookie season in the Verizon IndyCar Series. Kimball went on to record two top-ten finishes in the No. 83 Novo Nordisk IndyCar and became the first driver in history with diabetes to qualify, start and finish the Indianapolis 500.
On August 4, 2013, Kimball again made history by becoming the first driver with diabetes to win an IndyCar race, his first victory at the highest level of the sport. In January of 2020, Charlie announced a partnership with legendary AJ Foyt Racing to drive the #4 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet.
