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IRL, INDY500: McCormack Names Kite for Transworld Diversified Services Ride

15 May 1999

INDIANAPOLIS, IN-- Longtime Pep Boys Indy Racing League entrant McCormack Motorsports today named veteran Indy car driver Jimmy Kite to pilot the #30 TransWorld Racing/ McCormack Motorsports G-Force Oldsmobile for the 83rd Indianapolis 500. Kite of Stockbridge, Georgia returns to the Pep Boys Indy Racing League with a career high finish of sixth and an 11th in last years Indianapolis 500. McCormack Motorsports currently sits eighth in the Pep Boys IRL entrants points standing.

Hopes run high for the new combination despite the fact that the track opens for practice in just one day. Kite, who returns to the Indy car ranks for the first time since Charlotte in 1998, will be returning to the familiar faces of former team members Brad McCanless (crew chief) and Jeff Braun (engineer). The mix of these talents and the familiarity with one another will make the short turn-around time much more relaxed. "Jeff and Brad are here so I dont have to worry about communicating with the team. I know that Jeff and I can communicate and Dennis and Felicia have been wonderful and that will make it easier" said the sophomore driver.

Kite, a former Copper World Classic champion, has been looking for just the right Pep Boys IRL ride to make his comeback after separating from his previous team following last years "500." The search has been long but Kite knew the right deal would come along. It has, and the energetic 23 year-old promises that "smiling is not going to be a problem" now that he has signed with McCormack.

Team owners and long-time Indy car participants Dennis and Felicia McCormack are delighted to have so quickly signed a driver with Kites talent. "We are excited about it," commented Dennis McCormack, "things happen for a reason and everyone here at the shop is really excited about having Jimmy on the team." McCormack reiterated Kites claim that the brevity of preparation time was not a major concern. "We have seven days. We have lots of time. It is one of the reasons that we picked Jimmy. He is a veteran here and ran very competitive times here [last year]. Jimmy is the right person for the job." He continued, "It is a real shot in the arm to get a driver like Jimmy. The driver is like the quarterback and has to guide the team. I think Jimmy has what it takes to lead this team."

After Kites dramatic month last year he is looking for a calm but successful "Month of May" in 1999. Looking towards the next two weeks Kite said "I want a quiet month of May. We want to go out and gain a little speed each day. Make the show and be there up front when the checkered falls. That will make a successful month."

The team expects to pour the seat for the car tomorrow at its Avon, Indiana shop and then hopes to have Kite on the track by Sunday. TransWorld Racing/ McCormack Motorsports will field two cars at this years "International Sweepstakes" along with longtime sponsors Team Losi, Fast Rod, Alfa Laval and First American Title. Kite will run as teammate to Indianapolis 500 rookie, Nick Firestone.

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