INDIANAPOLIS – Verizon IndyCar Series veteran Conor Daly is partnering again with Lilly Diabetes for a program that will include the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil later this month and Daly’s debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in August.
Daly was named in March to drive the No. 17 United States Air Force Honda for Dale Coyne Racing dba Thom Burns Racing in the Indy 500. A Type 1 diabetic, Daly added support to the Indy program from Lilly Diabetes, while also announcing he would drive a second Roush Fenway Racing car in the Xfinity race at Road America in Wisconsin in August. Daly will team there with Ryan Reed, a fellow diabetic who attended Friday's announcement.
“It's obviously really cool to be a part of this (Lilly Diabetes) team, first of all, with us in the Indy 500 this year,” said Daly, seeking to make his fourth Indianapolis 500 start. “We got to work together in 2016, which I thought was a really cool first step into a relationship, and it was a late deal.
“We got it done after qualifying, but now we've got this whole month of May to work with it and kind of just grow together as a team. Then, obviously, I'm going to go into the NASCAR realm of life, so I'm excited for that.”
Ashley Brewer, consumer brand director for Lilly Diabetes, said it was a natural to partner once again with Daly.
“We worked with Conor back in 2016,” Brewer said. “We're inspired by him and we saw how dedicated he was to his diabetes management, and that he was not going to let anything get in the way of him achieving his racing aspirations.
“Like Ryan, Conor has Type 1 diabetes. We're thankful that he's willing to share his story and to join Ryan and us in inspiring folks with diabetes to take action to better manage their health and their diabetes management.”
Practice for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 begins on Tuesday.
Kimball flying Fiasp colors at Indy in continuing Novo Nordisk partnership
Charlie Kimball is carrying new colors on his No. 23 Chevrolet for the month of May in the two Verizon IndyCar Series races. Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care and Kimball’s longtime partner of 10 years, is promoting Fiasp, a fast-acting mealtime insulin indicated to improve glycemic control in adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
The Fiasp yellow and dark blue livery is on Kimball’s car for this weekend’s INDYCAR Grand Prix and the 102nd Indianapolis 500 on May 27. Novo Nordisk has previously used Kimball’s participation in the Verizon IndyCar Series to introduce and support other key insulin brands, most recently Tresiba.
“Over the years, we have seen considerable success with our Race with Insulin INDYCAR program as part of our marketing mix, and our commitment to disease awareness,” said David Moore, Novo Nordisk senior vice president, commercial. “Charlie has an incredibly compelling story, and we’ve seen it inspire and motivate people with diabetes to help manage their disease. This is a program that reaches deep into the diabetes community and we are proud to be part of it.”
Kimball was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes while racing with Carlin in the World Series by Renault in 2007. In addition to carrying the Fiasp logo on his car this month, the Type 1 diabetic takes Fiasp as part of his daily diabetes management.
“Diabetes is different for everyone, and for me, Fiasp is an important part of my diabetes management to help control my blood sugar after meals,” Kimball said. “My diabetes doesn’t stop me from going fast on the track, and through my partnership with Novo Nordisk, I can share my story and encourage others in the diabetes community.”
Women’s basketball great Catchings named INDYCAR Grand Prix honorary starter
Four-time Olympic gold medalist basketball player and Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings will serve as honorary starter for the INDYCAR Grand Prix on Saturday on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
Catchings played her entire 16-year pro career with the Fever, winning a WNBA championship and the WNBA Finals MVP Award in 2012 and the WNBA MVP Award in 2011. She was named to 12 All-WNBA teams and 10 WNBA All-Star teams. She also was a five-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
“I’m beyond excited to celebrate the month of May by waving the green flag at this year’s INDYCAR Grand Prix,” Catchings said. “Indianapolis is home for me, and like so many Circle City residents, I consider the speedway my home away from home in May. So it’s a big honor to climb the flag stand on race day and send the field roaring toward Turn 1.”