Ambition Takes Sponsorless Kimmel Racing To Mobile
“Unofficial Points Leader Set To Take On Mobile”
MOBILE, Alabama (March 6, 2012) - - It
goes without saying that Kimmel Racing and new driver Will Kimmel were
one of the “feel good stories” upon the conclusion of the Lucas Oil
Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. After starting
23rd, Kimmel cleverly crafted his No. 68 Ford Fusion to an impressive third place.
This weekend though, as the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards resumes action and steers back South to Mobile (Ala.)
International Speedway for the running of the Mobile ARCA 200, the
Kimmel Racing team led by championship crew chief and owner Bill Kimmel
return to the racetrack but without sponsorship, something the team
graciously clasped in the season-opener.
However,
with Daytona winner Bobby Gerhart and second-place finisher Drew
Charlson not expected to compete in Saturday’s contest, the family-owned
team had felt they had no choice but to dig deep into their own
personal pockets and make the drive to Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway for a variety of reasons.
“We
talked it over and we felt like we just had to do it. I don’t know how,
but we are,” said driver Will Kimmel, who will make his 26th
career start this weekend. “Dad’s been working the phones and we have
some sponsorship stuff in the works, just nothing in time for Mobile.
But, we’re still going and we’ll take shortcuts that won’t affect us on
the racetrack but will make the trip a little easier to swallow.”
The former Super Late Model champion at Salem (Ind.) Speedway
added, “Honestly, Daytona kept our Kimmel Racing team alive. The phone
was ringing when we came home and that was a good sign, but we still
have a lot to prove. Realistically, we’ll enter the weekend as the
point’s leader after finishing third, so we have to build on that. We’re
bringing a really good short track car to Mobile, but we know we have to do everything in our power to try and bring it home in one piece.”
While
many of the ARCA Racing Series teams elected to participate in private
testing sessions at the half-mile oval, Kimmel Racing was forced to sit
on the sidelines and will have to wait until Friday’s three and a half
hour practice to dial in their No. 68 Kimmel Racing / Clarksville Schwinn Ford Fusion.
“Obviously,
there’s a little disadvantage for those of us who didn’t have the
chance to test, but most of us will be on the same playing field, so
that puts our mind at ease a little bit,” Kimmel offered. “We’re going
with a baseline setup and after talking to some of our friends in the
garage, we kind of know what to expect, so I think we’ll be okay. We
just need to stay focused on the job at hand and hope again we’ll have
some luck.”
Beyond Mobile, Kimmel feels that the third race of the season at Salem (Ind.) Speedway
will be a race that they confidently feel they’ll be able to compete at
– but past that, the remainder of the season remains up in the air.
“We
need some help,” the elder Kimmel explained. “Will did a phenomenal job
at Daytona and it’s nice to know that we have some things working – but
nothing’s secure until the contracts are signed. A third place finish
was nice at Daytona, but one of the main reasons sponsor or no sponsor
that we’re heading to Mobile is because we believe that Will can put our
car in Victory Lane. We’re not just going for him but for everyone else
that believes in our race team”
Kimmel’s
nearest competitor in the championship standings is Brennan Poole who
currently sits seventh overall and 20 markers behind the Sellersburg, Indiana racer in the race for the coveted ARCA championship trophy in its 60th season of competition.
For sponsorship inquiries with Kimmel Racing, interested parties are urged to contact Bill Kimmel at 502.645.9370 or bill@kimmelracing.com.
The
Mobile ARCA 200 (200 laps / 100 miles) is the second of 20 events on
the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The first ARCA race held at MIS is a two-day show. Practice
begins Friday, March 9 with a three and a half hour practice session
planned from 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by
Ansell is set for later in the day at 7:00 p.m. An on-track autograph
session has been etched in on race day, Saturday, March 10 from 12:00
p.m. – 1:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 2:00
p.m. The race will not be televised on SPEED but additional race
coverage including live timing and scoring will be available through the
ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.
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
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