Carlin Racing has confirmed the return of Max Chilton in the No. 59 Chevy — again with the backing of global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm Gallagher — for the full 2019 NTT IndyCar Series calendar. Chilton’s teammate Charlie Kimball will return alongside the Briton, albeit in a reduced role at an unspecified number of rounds during a part-time schedule.
“I couldn’t be happier to formally announce that Gallagher will be back for the 2019 season partnering with myself and Carlin. Gallagher and Carlin are like family to me and I’m excited to see what we can do together building on both partnerships,” said Chilton. “Our first year together as an IndyCar team had its ups and downs, but the potential and growth that we showed as a team was obvious to everyone. I want to say a massive thank you to Gallagher for their continuing support of me. To have the opportunity to represent the nearly 30,000 employees of Gallagher, a brand that focuses so heavily on teamwork and innovation, is a true privilege.”
Carlin made its IndyCar debut in 2018 with two full-time entries for Chilton and Kimball, and while Chilton’s continuation in the series was little more than a formality, the changing status of Kimball’s participation — entering his ninth season — took some time to solidify.
“Our first year in the series was a great learning experience for the whole team and we’re thrilled that Gallagher is back on board for our second year. Gallagher started this journey with us and we’re just so thankful that they share our passion for success and really believe in both us as a team and Max’s ability to represent their brand,” said team principal Trevor Carlin. “We’re confident that our second season in the series will be even better than the first and we’ll be able to push our partnership to the next level.”
With Kimball headed back to Carlin on a limited schedule, the team continues to work on filling the entry with a driver for the rounds where the Californian and his Novo Nordisk sponsorship will be absent.
With Carlin’s plan unveiled, only Juncos Racing is left to declare its program among IndyCar’s entrants.
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