Kimmel Racing Looks To Use Hometown Advantage To Its Fullest Potential

Kimmel Racing Looks To Use Hometown Advantage To Its Fullest Potential

Topics: Will Kimmel, Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200

Kimmel Racing Looks To Use Hometown Advantage To Its Fullest Potential

Chris Knight
Kimmel Racing
April 25, 2012

SALEM, Indiana (April 25, 2012) - - This is it. The Kimmel name is legendary at Salem (Ind.) Speedway, the site of this weekend’s Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards.

While it’s been another clan of the Kimmel family that has paved its way into the local fast lane, Will Kimmel driver of the No. 68 Kentuckiana Ford Dealers Ford Fusion began marking his territory on the circuit at the same track last September and is hopeful to continue that trend on Sunday afternoon.

Nearly seven months later, the series in its 60th year of competition treks back to the iconic speedway with the younger Kimmel eager to devour his runner-up finishing position from last year and record his first career ARCA Racing Series victory in his 28th try.

It goes without saying; many in the auto racing have dictated that if you can win at Salem Speedway, you could win just about anywhere else. With its bruising ego and brutally fast speeds, the Southern Indiana track is a proven gold mine for the ARCA Racing Series.

“This is my hometown track and I absolutely love this place,” said the 23-year Kimmel. “I’ve won races and have a Late Model championship at Salem, so I feel like I have a little bit of advantage when we take the ARCA car there. Last year, we started inside the top-10, led a bunch of laps (79) and came real close to winning. In my eyes, we have some unfinished business if you will, but we can’t be overly confident. We just have to stay sharp and hope that we have a similar race with just a little bit better of an outcome.”

It’s a big week for the Kimmel Racing team. In addition to all the hype that team is welcoming; the team will host a grand re-opening of Kimmel Racing on Friday night to fans and to the ARCA community.

The next morning, it will be business as usual for the Kimmel Racing camp. In addition to two short practice sessions and qualifying, the Hoosier native will carry the signage of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers, who is also the title sponsor of the third race of the ARCA season.

For Kimmel, there’s no added pressure on the outside, but on the inside, he’s determined more than ever. “It really is a true honor to represent all of the Kentuckiana Ford Dealerships,” he said. “Dad (crew chief, father and owner Bill Kimmel) has been to victory lane so many times in an ARCA car with my Uncle, so he knows how to setup a race to its fullest potential. It would be a huge deal for us to roll our No. 68 Kentuckiana Ford Dealers Ford Fusion into victory circle knowing their involvement with the ARCA and the track.”

Two races into the season, the family-owned operation running on a skeleton budget has managed to produce one top-five finish in the season-opening event at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and was well on their way to back-to-back top-10 finishes last month at Mobile (Ala.) Speedway before a mechanical failure resulted in a unworthy 25th place finish. Despite the outcome, Kimmel remains secure in the chase for the championship currently occupying the eighth position but well within the grounds of bouncing back into leadership zone.

“We need a good run not only because the race is in our backyard and because we’re representing Kentuckiana Ford Dealerships but because we’re (trying) making an effort towards the championship,” remarked Kimmel. We just have to keep motivated and stay focused and hopefully everything else will eventually fall into place.”

The grand re-opening and fan appreciation at Kimmel Racing is set to launch at 6:00 p.m. Friday evening. The team’s shop is located at 201 East Lewis & Clark Parkway, Clarksville, Indiana 47129 nestled between Morrison Chiropractic and Clarksville Schwinn.

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

The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 (200 laps / 111 miles) is the third of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 91st ARCA race held at Salem Speedway is a two day show. Practice begins Saturday, April 28 with a forty-five minute session planned from 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Final practice also consisting of forty-five minutes begins at 1:15 p.m. and will conclude at 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An on-track autograph session has been etched in on race day on Sunday, April 29 set to launch at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 2:15 p.m. The race will not be televised but race coverage including live timing and scoring will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

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

PHOTO CAPTION: Will Kimmel, driver of the No. 68 Kimmel Racing / Clarksville Schwinn 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