Chip Ganassi Racing Teams Unite With Novo Nordisk and Charlie Kimball’s “Race with Insulin” Initiative

Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) and partner Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, announced today that their IZOD IndyCar Series driver, Charlie Kimball (No. 83 Novo Nordisk Honda), of the Race with Insulin™ program, has gained the support of his fellow CGRT teammates across NASCAR, INDYCAR and GRAND-AM, combining for a Race with Insulin Unites initiative.

During the weekend of April 5-7, CGRT NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) teammate Jamie McMurray (No. 1 Chevrolet SS) and Kimball will both sport Race with Insulin paint schemes at Martinsville Speedway and Barber Motorsports Park, respectively, to show that with the right management plan and ”team” support, people with diabetes can start to get their diabetes on track.

 
In addition to the special paint schemes, all other CGRT cars (Juan Pablo Montoya’s No. 42 Chevrolet SS – NASCAR, Scott Dixon’s No. 9 Honda – INDYCAR, Dario Franchitti’s No. 10 Honda – INDYCAR and Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas’ No. 1 BMW – GRAND-AM) will run blue tire rims to help launch the Race with Insulin™ Unites campaign. The rims will emulate a blue circle, which is the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) global symbol for diabetes, to support Kimball’s quest to educate more people about diabetes.

“If our team can help others understand that even with diabetes, you can live life to the fullest, then we are glad to help,” said Team Owner Chip Ganassi. “Charlie is an emerging talent in the race car, and he is an even better human being. A program like this speaks volumes about him.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 26 million people are currently living with diabetes in the United States2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf. Accessed February 13, 2013.

. For many patients and their families, diabetes management can be daunting.
 
“Diabetes is one of the greatest health threats of our time,” said President, International Diabetes Federation, Sir Michael Hirst. “With the support of such programs, we can begin to tackle a disease which is expected to affect 552 million people around the world by the year 2030.”

Now in his third season with Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing, Kimball was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during a routine physician’s visit in 2007 while racing in Europe. Kimball returned to the F3 Euroseries in April 2008 and finished second in his first race back after the diagnosis.

 
Determined to get back on the track, Kimball strategized with his doctor to create some innovative solutions for keeping him safe and healthy in and out of the race car. Along with diet and exercise, Charlie uses a pre-filled insulin pen and a continuous glucose monitor to ensure that his diabetes is properly managed, so that when he gets in the car, he can focus on racing.
 
“I am able to live my dream and compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series because I have been fortunate to have the support of Novo Nordisk and my teammates, who are extensions of my on-track pit crew,” said Kimball, who recently became an IDF Blue Circle Champion for diabetes. “Follow me at @racewithinsulin to learn how you can enter to win a chance this year to become my honorary pit crew member.”
 
Visit www.RaceWithInsulin.com for more information.
 
CGR PR