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NorthernLight IRL: Jimmy Kite preparing for action in Kentucky

18 August 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
BEDFORD PARK, ILLINOIS- Blueprint Racing announced earlier today that it would indeed compete in the upcoming Belterra Resorts Indy 300. The eighth of the nine-round Indy Racing Northern Light Series will be held at the new Kentucky Speedway on August 27.

The initial entry list for the inaugural event at the track was released earlier this week and the #27 Blueprint Racing G Force and driver Jimmy Kite were not among those listed. Since, however, Blueprint Racing owners Ed Rachanski and Keith Sanders have been in contact with Indy Racing League and Northern Light Series officials to make their intentions known. Indy Racing League Director of Racing Operations Brian Barnhart has cleared the entry.

"It was a timing issue," remarked Sanders. "We had every intention of competing in the Belterra Resorts Indy 300 but we have been finalizing some business arrangements to prepare us for the remainder of the 2000 season and the 2001 season. Blueprint Racing is dedicated to putting the best car and the best team out there every time we run. We were making sure we could do that for the Kentucky event and I can guarantee you that we are doing just that."

The #27 has been entered as a 2000 G Force chassis with a Blueprint Racing Engines 3.5 liter, 90-degree Oldsmobile IRL Aurora V8 for driver Jimmy Kite. Brad McCanless is listed as the team manager and engineer with Randy Ruyle as crew chief.

Sanders continued, "We are readying some exciting announcements for this team. We appreciate all the support that everyone associated with the Northern Light Series, fans included, have given us this season. When our name wasnt on the entry list for Kentucky I got a number of calls, the shop got a number of calls and the team members got dozens of emails and phone calls. BlueprintRacing.com was flooded with emails from fans wanting to know what was up. It really helps to know that our supporters will come out like that to rally behind us. It lets us know that what we are doing, and how we are doing it, is being noticed and appreciated."

The #27 Blueprint Racing entry will be on track for the first day of practice, August 25th, at Kentucky Speedway with qualifying scheduled for August 26th.

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