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Max Chilton interview: Racing into Indy 500 with Carlin

By Brittany Frederick

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 12: Max Chilton, driver of the #59 Carlin Racing Chevrolet, drives into turn two during the warm-up session prior to the start of the Verizon IndyCar Series IndyCar Grand Prix on May 12, 2018, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 12: Max Chilton, driver of the #59 Carlin Racing Chevrolet, drives into turn two during the warm-up session prior to the start of the Verizon IndyCar Series IndyCar Grand Prix on May 12, 2018, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Max Chilton will drive his first Indianapolis 500 for Carlin on Sunday, and talked about rejoining the organization for its inaugural IndyCar season.

When Max Chilton starts the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, it will be both a new direction for him and a very familiar one.

Chilton returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he led 50 laps in the 2017 Indy 500. But this year he’s driving for a new team in Carlin. Or more like a new-old team, because Chilton has a history with Carlin that makes for a perfect fit.

He’ll roll off 20th in Sunday’s race and has the potential to run up front once again, this time as he helps Carlin start its Verizon IndyCar Series history.

FanSided spoke to Max Chilton ahead of the 2018 Indianapolis 500 to discuss his return to the Carlin organization and what he thinks of his 2018 IndyCar season so far.

FanSided: How has your transition been moving to Carlin for the 2018 IndyCar season?

Max Chilton (MC): It’s been great. I wouldn’t call it a new team, though, because I’ve worked with Trevor [Carlin] so many times before. I’ve worked with him a lot, [and] the mechanics, some of them are from my past. I’ve worked with a lot of the guys, whether it’s in Indy Lights or the UK. I know the team inside and out. I knew we were up against — don’t get me wrong, I knew we weren’t going to come in winning — but I feel like we can do a pretty good job.

FanSided: One huge plus with Carlin is you have the same teammate as well. How did you and Charlie Kimball end up staying together?

MC: We spoke about it towards the end of last year. We knew where we were wasn’t working and we were trying to do this Carlin thing. Once I knew there was a chance it was going to happen, he loved the sound of it. It was all about the fans and the hospitality and the sponsors.

FanSided: You mentioned your past history with Carlin both in Indy Lights and overseas. How has the team evolved since the last time you raced for them?

MC: It’s a little bit more professional. We’ve got new people on the team, a lot more people working in the 500. There’s a lot more sort of pressure, but I believe in what I can do and what Charlie can do, and I think we’ll get there.

FanSided: You may be a new team but it seems like the new car has created a certain degree of parity. Is that encouraging for you, that every team is learning as you’re learning?

MC: We’ve seen people get wins from the back before. I feel like as the new team we’re doing a fantastic job. We haven’t shown performance-wise what the team can do, but give it some time and we will get there. We’ve got a lot of testing to do, it’s a very competitive championship. If you can win here, you’re doing a world-class job.

FanSided: What are Max Chilton’s expectations in the 2018 IndyCar season, when you add in all these variables?

MC: You have to set your own targets. Also your teammate’s a target, because you are on the same team. I’ve outraced him three times now and I hope I can keep that up. But it’s important that me and Charlie work together, and I feel like now [that] he’s [reached] the top 10 [at Long Beach], we can really start making the progression forward to have even better results.

We’re working hard and we won’t give up. I believe in the team and I’m more determined to prove what Carlin can do.

Next: Read our interview with Chilton's teammate Charlie Kimball

Fans can watch Max Chilton in the 2018 Indianapolis 500 this Sunday, May 27 at 11:00 a.m. ET. For complete coverage of the 2018 IndyCar season, follow the Motor Sports category at FanSided.

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