Kimball runs strong race with late-mechanical failure at Baltimore

BALTIMORE, Md. (September 3, 2012) – Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing (NNCGR) driver Charlie Kimball finished 21st in the Baltimore Grand Prix on the Streets of Baltimore. The finish comes in Kimball’s 30th career IZOD IndyCar Series start and second at Baltimore.

Charlie Kimball, Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

Photo by: Adriano Manocchia

After running near the top of the speed charts and finishing seventh in Saturday’s qualifying session, the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen car would endure a 10-grid spot penalty when the car lost drive, causing the team to change its engine before reaching the minimum change-out mileage specified by INDYCAR. With the penalty, and a race that began with rain, the Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team started 17th and used pit stops and tire strategy to make up ground on the field. The team withstood incidents that caused a total of nine cautions totaling 24 laps on the on the 2.4-mile, 13-turn street course. The No. 83 worked its way from 17th to third by lap 36 and second position by lap 40 the 75-lap race. As the No. 83 held position near the top of the charts, the car lost drive on lap 65 causing the No. 83 to retire from the race with 10-laps remaining and taking Kimball from ninth position to 18th.

With the result, Kimball holds 18th position in the IZOD IndyCar Series point standings with 240 markers, -213 points behind points leader Will Power.

Charlie Kimball: “It was a really great run for the No. 83 NovoLog FlexPen car all day. The car was quick and the guys in the pit lane did an awesome job. The team not only made the right strategy calls to keep me on slicks when it was damp but also the second stop they did a really good job. It’s a shame to have something behind me go wrong around lap 65 but we proved we have the speed all weekend. We’ll carry that on to Fontana, finish the year out with a really good result and head to 2013 looking to come back stronger than ever.”

Source: Chip Ganassi Racing