IRL-Blueprint Premieres in Season Opener
30 January 2000
BUENA VISTA, Fla., January 29, 2000- Blueprint Racing Enterprises and driver Niclas Jonsson took their American Hotel Register Company/ ZMax/ Blueprint G Force Aurora to a 12TH place finish in today’s Delphi Indy 200 from Walt Disney World Speedway. Jonsson, living in Aliso Viejo, California, charged from the last starting position in the Northern Lights Indy Racing League event on the one-mile oval. “After the first two days here I didn’t think we would get a 12th place finish. We had limited testing going into Thursday and the rain kept us off the track much of the weekend. So, this is great. I am very pleased,” said the rookie driver about his first one-mile oval event. “The American Hotel Register/ Blueprint team did a great job. Brad (McCanless, Blueprint Racing Team Manager) gave me a great car and the team gave me great pit stops,” continued the former Scandinavian F3 champion, “I am thrilled with the run.” The day was not a ride on Disney’s famous Monorail throughout, however. At times, the day resembled “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride” as the #27 seemed to be behind most every incident on the track. At one point, Jonsson nearly joined the ‘wild ride.’ Following an early race yellow, Jonsson did a quarter-spin in turn-two. “It was after a yellow and the tires were cold. Someone checked up in front of me and I had to pull down. I was pushed into the grass. The car got sideways but I was able to get it back. That was pretty close but we had close ones all day,” explained the Swedish-born driver. The American Hotel Register Company/ ZMax/ Blueprint entry now prepares for the second race at Phoenix International Raceway on March 19, top-twelve in points behind Disney race winner and points leader, Robbie Buhl. Jonsson sits second in the IRL rookie of the year standings finishing one position behind fellow-newcomer Airton Dare. Ed Rachanski, Blueprint co-owner, reviewed the day’s results this way; “The crew performed excellent. For the first time putting everyone together they did a great job. Nic ran well and the Blueprint-engine ran well. I’m very pleased. Now, I am looking forward to Phoenix. Phoenix is our race track!” (referring to the team’s popular 1997 victory with Jim Guthrie at the track.). Blueprint Racing is also thrilled to give American Hotel Register Company such a strong performance in its first race as supporter of the team. Rachanski invited the new sponsor onboard, commenting, “We are thrilled to have such a strong partnership with American Hotel Register Company and that we could give them a top-twelve finishing position today. They are very excited to be part of Blueprint Racing and we are excited they are here. We are a family team, American Hotel Register is a family company. We couldn’ t ask for a more enthusiastic and wonderful sponsor. It is great to give a company that is over 120 years-old its first chance to go racing.” American Hotel Register Company, of Vernon Hills, Illinois, is the leading supplier of hotel and institutional products in the United States. Their massive catalog, with 37,000 items, includes all the supplies a hotel, hospital or similar businesses would require from bedding, towels and cleaning supplies to televisions and furniture. The company, which has been family-owned for four generations, is enjoying its first foray into motorsports. American Hotel Register Company is joined by Embassy Suites, ZMax, the Founders Bank and Allpoints Equipment as supporters of the #27 Blueprint entry.