ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Carlin has announced that reigning Indy Lights champion Patricio O’Ward will pilot Carlin’s second entry for 11 events during the NTT IndyCar Series season.
In addition, O’Ward will attempt to qualify for the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 in a third Carlin entry alongside teammates Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented drivers over the years, many of whom now race in the NTT IndyCar Series, Formula One and Formula E to name a few, and in Pato I really see a spark similar to some of our highest achieving alumni,” said Team Principal Trevor Carlin. “He’s a hugely promising talent who deserves this opportunity and has a massive amount of potential. As a young Chevy team, we are incredibly driven and excited to help him achieve his goals in this 2019 program.”
O’Ward captured the 2018 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires crown, earning a scholarship to advance to the NTT IndyCar Series with three guaranteed races including the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500.
O’Ward initially signed with Harding Steinbrenner Racing to contest the full IndyCar schedule alongside Carlos Munoz, but funding for the full season failed to develop and he was released from his contract.
“I wanted to start off by saying that I’m so excited to get this 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season underway and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that Trevor Carlin has given me to drive for his IndyCar team and Team Chevy,” said the rookie O’Ward. “I’m just thankful that he and the whole Carlin team really believe in me and I’ll give it my all to show them that I’m ready to tackle any challenges ahead of us starting in a few weeks at COTA. I just don’t think I can properly express how excited I am for this opportunity. It’s been a very stressful past few weeks given my circumstances and it’s been a bit of a hustle trying to find a new home in the NTT IndyCar Series for myself, but I couldn’t be happier about landing at Carlin.”
O’Ward will compete in the IndyCar Classic (Circuit of the Americas), Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama (Barber Motorsports Park), Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (Streets of Long Beach), IndyCar Grand Prix (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix doubleheader (Belle Isle), Rev Group Grand Prix at Road America (Road America), Honda Indy Toronto (Streets of Toronto), Iowa 300 (Iowa Speedway), Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course), Bommarito Automotive Group 500 (Gateway Motorsports Park) and the Grand Prix of Portland (Portland Int’l Raceway).