MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Charlie Kimball missed his chance at the 105th Indianapolis 500 in May when he was one of two drivers that didn’t make the 33-car starting lineup.
Kimball will get a chance to compete in one more NTT IndyCar Series race this season during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the last IndyCar race of the season, when he climbs aboard the No. 11 Tresiba Chevrolet for A.J. Foyt Racing.
“I cannot wait to get back behind the wheel of an A.J. Foyt Indy car mostly because I love racing,” Kimball said. “I am also excited to race on behalf of my long-time sponsor Novo Nordisk one more time this season at one of my favorite races. Working with the team at AJ Foyt Racing, both in and out of the cockpit, has been very rewarding and I look forward to continuing that work in Long Beach.”
Kimball last competed for A.J. Foyt Racing in the GMR Grand Prix on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, finishing 22nd. Their attempt to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 was unsuccessful. In 2020, Kimball drove full-time for the team, scoring a season-best finish of eighth in St. Petersburg in October.
“We are very happy to have Charlie and Novo Nordisk back for the season finale,” said Larry Foyt, A.J. Foyt Racing team president. “Long Beach is such a great race for the NTT IndyCar Series, and I’m glad we could put this event together for Charlie and Novo Nordisk because they have been great partners of our team. They have touched many lives and inspired many race fans through the motorsports platform, and I’m honored that our team was able to be a small part of that.”
In 2020, the IndyCar Series events in California were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which proved to be particularly disappointing for Kimball, who was looking forward to competing in Long Beach which is about 75 miles from where he grew up in Camarillo, Calif. He last competed there in 2018 for Carlin and finished 10th.
Being able to wrap up the season in Long Beach holds special significance for Kimball.
“Long Beach is my favorite event outside of the Indy 500 – I spent my childhood coming to this race and dreaming about being on the other side of the fence,” he revealed. “The chance to compete at this track, so close to my hometown, three and a half years since my last time behind the wheel there has been one of my biggest personal motivators.”
Kimball has been keeping busy this season as the color commentator for the Indy Lights Series presented by Cooper Tires, a gig for which he has proven to be quite adept by giving his perceptive insight to the on-track action.
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network on Sunday, Sept. 26 starting at 3 p.m. ET.