IRL IndyCar Series stalwarts PDM Racing have named ‘old school' IRL fan favourite Jimmy Kite as its driver for the 91st Indy 500 later this month.
Although popular veteran Kite will not take to the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the team's traditional #18 entry until the second week of practice, his presence at the Paul Diatlovich owned squad guarantees at least one ‘underdog' story at the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing.'
One of the few remaining original IRL teams, PDM have not been seen since the 2006 Indy 500 when Brazilian Thiago Medeiros failed to finish while Kite's last IRL start came with Hemelgarn Racing at the California Speedway in 2005.
"This is the third time that I have raced with PDM at the Speedway, which is kind of a record for me," said Kite, who has a total of 35 career IRL starts. "I really have to thank Paul and all the guys at PDM for believing in me and what I can bring, on the track, to the programme. We know we won't be challenging for fastest lap, but I feel pretty good about the kind of racecar that we will have. Paul has always given me a good car and it is exciting to be back at the Speedway with PDM."
Kite first joined PDM in 2002 but Bump Day qualifying was shortened by late afternoon rain. As the 6 p.m. gun rang-out, Kite sat next in line to make an attempt.
The combination had better results in 2003 when Kite qualified 32nd, the middle of the three-person final row, but fought his way up to finish 13th, his second-highest career finish in the "500" and the most positions gained in that year's event.
Kite has made his other Indy appearances in 1998 (where he qualified as the fastest rookie and finished 11th, his highest career "500" finish), 1999, 2000 and 2005. He also narrowly missed making the show in 2001.
