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Will Kimmel Rebounds Nicely For Top-10 At Chicagoland

Topics: Will Kimmel, Ansell ActivArmr® 150

Will Kimmel Rebounds Nicely For Top-10 At Chicagoland

Chris Knight
Kimmel Racing
July 23, 2012

JOLIET, Illinois (July 23, 2012) - - After battling a series of obstacles during this past Saturday’s Ansell ActivArmr® 150 at Chicagoland Speedway, Will Kimmel (@willkimmel) recovered nicely in his No. 68 AccucareTX / Joliet Tilted Kilt Ford Fusion for a 10th place finish in the 12th race of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season.

A last-minute sponsorship agreement between AccucareTX and the Joliet-based Tilted Kilt allowed the Kimmel Racing (@kimmel_racing) to spring to life and an opportunity to shine in the “Windy City.”

In the lone practice session on Friday evening, Kimmel and his team led by father, crew chief and owner Bill Kimmel showed just how strong of a Ford Fusion that the team had. After quickly bolting themselves into the top-five early, the team ended the run sixth fastest overall giving the Clarksville, Indiana-based confidence heading into race day.

Knowing that they had a good piece underneath them, the Kimmel Racing team made some adjustments to their piece hoping it would help them for Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell on Saturday morning. During time trials, Kimmel though was only able to maneuver the ninth quickest. The team was somewhat disappointed with their effort, feeling that they may have over adjusted their No. 68 AccucareTX / Joliet Tilted Kilt Ford Fusion.

Still, a solid starting position for 100 laps of racing would give the former Late Model champion at Salem (Ind.) Speedway, plenty of time to race his way to the front.

When the green flag flew, Kimmel quickly realized that he had to protect his position in the No. 68 AccucareTX / Joliet Tilted Kilt Ford Fusion as his vehicle was incredibly tight throughout the first run.

By lap 15, Kimmel had slipped back to 11th and just 10 laps later he dropped two more positions to 13th. Despite the tightness on his blue oval, Kimmel persevered and was able to work his way back up to the 12th position by lap 35.

The race’s second caution flag of the day would waive 11 laps later allowing Bill Kimmel to bring the No. 68 AccucareTX / Joliet Tilted Kilt Ford Fusion to pit lane for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. An impressive stop by the pit crew allowed their driver to pick up spots on pit road and rejoin the field in ninth.

On the restart, Kimmel was quick to get through the gears and make his move towards the front. However, as he exited turn two, Kimmel was squeezed by a lap car while racing Matt Lofton for position. Trying to stay off of Lofton, the two made slight contact which violently sent Kimmel’s car spinning wildly through the backstretch but impressive car control by the Sellersburg, Indiana native kept the No. 68 AccucareTX / Joliet Tilted Kilt Ford Fusion from making any contact to the wall.

With the race pressing on under green flag conditions and with flat Hoosier Racing tires underneath him, the 24-year old would have to ease his way to pit lane. Thankfully, another car spun on the track bringing out the event’s third yellow which allowed Kimmel to make his way to pit lane and change tires but still remain on the lead circuit. Another stop to pit lane was essential for damage control. With a quick caution facing the team, Kimmel returned to competition but several seconds behind the lead group.

Still, the driver gave it his all and after restarting 16th on lap 55, Kimmel was able to move his way back into 12th by lap 75 and take 11th by lap 84 and with 10 laps remaining, the driver made the move on the No. 45 of David Levine for 10th where he would take the checkered flag.

“It was a good rebound for us,” offered Kimmel following the race. “We unloaded with an extremely fast No. 68 AccucareTX / Joliet Tilted Kilt Ford Fusion. The car was really good in practice and I think we may have over adjusted it for qualifying. At the start of the race, the car was just so tight, I was just hanging on until we pitted. On the restart, I messed up. I tried to get by Matt (Lofton), but there was a lap car down on the bottom and I got greedy and ran out of room. My fault and I apologize to Matt and the guys. I’m learning and I learned a lot out there too. Luckily, the caution flag came out for something else and we were able to regroup and bring home a top-10 finish. It wasn’t exactly what we wanted, but under all the circumstances, we’ll take it. I want to thank AccucareTX and Joliet Tilted Kilt for stepping up and supporting us this weekend, we really appreciate it.”

In his 35th career ARCA start, Kimmel earned his ninth top-10 finish of his career and fourth of the season.

Next up for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards in their 60th anniversary season is a trip to Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis for the running of the Messina Animal Wildlife Stopper 200 which is set for Friday, July 27.

For sponsorship inquiries with Kimmel Racing, interested parties are urged to contact Bill Kimmel at 502.645.9370 or bill@kimmelracing.com.

To learn more about AccucareTX and their services, please click over to accucaretx.com.

For more on Will Kimmel, please visit willkimmel.com.

For additional input on Kimmel Racing, please log on to kimmelracing.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Will Kimmel, driver of the No. 68 AccucareTX / Tilted Kilt Ford Fusion in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for Kimmel Racing.

MEDIA CONTACT:

NAME: Chris Knight, Knight Motorsports Management
PHONE: 239.834.9797
EMAIL: chris@chrisknightpr.com