INDY 500: Jimmy Kite Crashes as qualifying continues for 84th Indy 500
20 May 2000
By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
INDIANAPOLIS: Indy veteran Jimmy Kite was the eighth fastest driver during the final warm up before qualifying began Saturday. Kite was the sixth driver to make a qualification attempt for the 84th Indianapolis 500. He didn't make it to the green flag.
Kite had just completed his first warm up lap. When he entered turn one, the rear of the car broke loose. Kite did a half spin before slamming the outside retaining wall in the short chute between turns one and two. The car continued to the bottom of the track before coming to a stop in turn two.
Kite exited the car under his own power. Kite was checked at the infield medical center and was cleared to drive by Medical Director, Dr. Henry Bock.
In early qualifying, Al Unser Jr. was the first to make the 2000 field. He qualified with a speed of 220.293.
Robbie Buhl was the quickest driver of the three who had qualified prior to Kite's crash. Eddie Cheever, the 1998 winner of the Indy 500, was second fastest.
Buzz Calkins and Johnny Unser waved off their qualifying runs.
Complete details will be made available at the end of the day.
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