INDIANAPOLIS — INDIANAPOLIS— Diabetes can be a devastating and debilitating disease. The chronic disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood has been known to cause eye, skin, and oral health problems. But that doesn’t slow IndyCar driver Charlie Kimball down one bit.
The 26-year-old is the first licensed driver with diabetes in the history of the Indy Racing Leagues to compete at its highest level.
“We started about a month ago down in St. Pete and it’s been going really well,” said Kimball of the start of his 2011 rookie season. He finished fourth overall last year in the Firestone Indy Lights series and made his first Izod IndyCar start in March. Kimball is now racing for the newly formed Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing team, which just opened a new facility in Brownsburg.
Getting behind the wheel of a race car holds special meaning for Kimball whose racing career was temporarily halted when he was diagnosed with diabetes in 2007. Undaunted, Kimball returned to racing a year later and competed at a top level to make it to Brownsburg as part of Ganassi.
“As a rookie, I’ve got a lot to learn and just trying to catch up on that rookie curve will really be key,” he said.
The biggest key to his racing, however, is keeping his diabetes in check while behind the wheel. After his diagnosis, Kimball and his doctor strategized on creating ways to allow him to remain healthy while racing.
In addition to constantly monitoring his blood glucose levels throughout the day, Kimball’s race car has been outfitted with equipment to keep him safe. He has a special helmet that allows him to drink orange juice without taking his hands off the wheel if his sugar levels get too low. He’s also able to monitor those levels through a wireless continuous glucose monitor (CGM) velcroed to his steering wheel.
“As soon as I get up the morning of the race, I’m checking my blood sugar and monitoring my hydration,” he said. “I’m shooting for a certain level before I get in the car.”
When he’s not on the track, the Indianapolis resident is busy promoting diabetes awareness. Recently dubbed “a rock star in the diabetes community” by Time magazine, Kimball spends his time sharing his story and inspiring others to live their dreams while managing the disease.
“For a long time it was all about my race results,” he said. “Now it’s just as important to give back to the diabetes community.”
Kimball is partnered with insulin manufacturer Novo Nordisk in the Drive the Switch campaign. It challenges diabetes patients to talk to their doctors about alternative insulin delivery devices, like the “on-the-go” pen device Kimball uses. For every person who pledges to speak to their healthcare providers, Novo Nordisk will make a donation to the Diabetes Hands Foundation.
“There’s a lack of awareness on the pen, a lack of knowledge,” Kimball said.
He hopes Drive the Switch will bring that awareness to the forefront.
“Technology that’s only been around for five years or so works together to allow me to do what I love,” he said. “It’s made me a better competitor rather than held me back. Each race is that much more special.”
Kimball and his team are now preparing and attempting to qualify for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.
“It’s a really special race to me and I’m aware of the history of it,” he said.
At just the beginning of what promises to be a successful career on and off the track, Kimball is excited about what the future holds.
“It’s really neat being here in the center of open-wheeled racing here in the U.S.,” he said. “I have the opportunity to do what I love — drive race cars, live my dream, and pursue competing in the Indy 500.”
To learn more about Kimball or follow his progress, visit the website at www.charliekimball.com
For information on Drive the Switch or to pledge, visit the website at www.drivetheswitch.com.
courtney.essett@flyergroup.com
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