Jimmy Kite Night To Honor Indy Racer

STOCKBRIDGE, Ga., June 17, 2003 � IndyCar Racer Jimmy Kite will be honored by the Auto Tire and Parts NAPA Racepark on June 21st with “Jimmy Kite Night at the Racepark”. Kite, who races a winged sprint-car at the Benton, Missouri dirt oval while not competing in the Indy Racing IndyCar Series or United States Auto Club (USAC) Silver Crown Series, will take part in a special autograph session for one hour beginning at 4:30 pm local time. His #12 Joe Reddick-owned winged sprint-car will be on display for fans to look at during that time before being prepared for the night's racing activities. A special award of recognition will be presented to Kite during an intermission between scheduled events. Kite is being honored for his recent performance in his fourth Indianapolis 500. Kite raced to 13th from 32nd position, the most positions gained in the 87th Running of the Indianapolis 500, in the #18 Danny Hecker's Auto Connection/PDM Racing Dallara-Chevrolet.“This is one of the greatest honors of my life,” commented a shocked Kite from his home. “I love racing at the Racepark and for them to do this means a lot. Actually, the Racepark is near where I first fell in love with racing. I'll never forget going to my first race and watching a sprint car do a wheelie all the way down the straightaway. I knew right then I wanted to be a race car driver. I never dreamed then that one day I'd have a whole night named after me. This is really a huge honor. But, it is a little embarrassing. I mean, I didn't get here on my own. I owe this to a lot of people; most importantly, my Mom and Dad. Also, PDM Racing, Joe Reddick, Jerry Wolsey (promoter for the track) and too many friends, family and fans to name. They have all supported me through the highs and lows. This should be called �Jimmy Kite Supporters Night'.”"We are proud to have Jimmy at our facility, he is such a professional and an outstanding young man, who now has a total of four Indy starts under his belt,” commented promoter Jerry Wolsey about �Jimmy Kite Night.'Kite began his career racing quarter-midgets at the age of eight and worked his way up through mini-sprints, USAC midgets, sprint cars and Silver Crown cars to the Indy Racing League. He is a five-time national champion in various open-wheel series with countless victories. He has a career total of 23 Indy Racing events and $1,505,565 in career IRL earnings. He has raced four times in the Indianapolis 500.For more on Jimmy Kite please visit www.jimmykitefans.com. To learn more about Jimmy Kite Night and the Auto Tire and Parts NAPA Race Park, please visit www.autotireandpartsracepark.com.###