Will Kimmel Posts Fastest Speed in 'Dega Test

(TALLADEGA, Ala. - April 18, 2012) - Two scheduled sessions turned into one after morning rain delayed the start of the second day of open testing at Talladega Superspeedway, and Will Kimmel led the pack. 

Kimmel, driving Kimmel Racing's No. 68 Ford, drove the top lap of the two-day ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards open test on Wednesday, rounding the 2.66-mile oval in 52.633 seconds, a speed of 181.939 mph. He topped Andy Belmont Racing's Mikey Kile, who best effort was 52.971 seconds (180.778 mph).

The two drivers were the only competitors to eclipse Bobby Gerhart's Tuesday-leading speed of 180.228 mph. Gerhart did not participate Wednesday.

Some gains are to be made, however, if any driver is to match last season's pole speed by Ty Dillon. Dillon earned the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell in 52.134 seconds last year; seven drivers qualified in under 52.6 seconds.

Turner Motorsports' Brandon McReynolds finished Wednesday third. Hal Martin, driving for Coulter Motorsports, was fourth. Roulo Brothers Racing driver Chris Buescher finished the day fifth.

The final top 10 for the entire test period were, in order: Kimmel, Kile, Gerhart, McReynolds, Martin, Buescher, Brandon Davis, Greg Hutto, Thomas Praytor, and Korbin Forrister.

From arcaracing.com

W Kimmel interview on Pit Pass USA tonight

(TALLADEGA, Ala. - April 18, 2012) - Will Kimmel, who finished third at Daytona International Speedway and figures to contend at Salem Speedway - his home track - on Sunday, April 29, will speak with motorsports radio host Larry Henry tonight on Pit Pass USA. Henry and Kimmel spoke while Kimmel tested today at Talladega Superspeedway.
The interview will feature an interesting twist, as the two connected while Kimmel sat in his race car, ready to make a mock qualifying lap on the 2.66-mile oval. Henry called an interview of that type a first for the show. 
Kimmel, who drives the No. 68 Ford for his family's team, is currently eighth in driver points. The show, which begins at 7 p.m. and airs on the VoiceAmerica Sports Channel, can be located on the web by clicking here.
ARCARacing.com will feature live coverage from the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 at Salem Speedway next Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29. 

From arcaracing.com 

Press Release - 3/6/12 - Kimmel Racing

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 23^rd, 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 26^th 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 60^th 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.

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

Kimmel Racing Takes On New Season With Familiar Face

“Father-Son Duo Ready To Shine In ARCA Season Opener”

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (February 13, 2012) - - The original settings of Kimmel Racing have changed but the team lives on and is ready to shine as the ARCA Racing Series opens its 60^thseason of competition when the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 takes the green flag at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway Saturday afternoon.

Will Kimmel, the son of Kimmel Racing owner Bill Kimmel will heed the leading role for the Indiana-based race team as the driver of the No. 68 Enterprise Software Development / Clarksville Schwinn Ford Fusion. For the second-time in his ARCA career, the 23-year old will grasp the high banks of the 2.5-mile superspeedway and look to ignite his 26^th career start in stunning fashion.

“We’re blessed to be going to Daytona,” said Kimmel, whose holds a career-best finish of second in ARCA at Salem (Ind.) Speedway last September. “Dad (Bill) and our all-volunteer team have worked ferociously to get our No. 68 Enterprise Software Development / Clarksville Schwinn Ford Fusion ready to go for this weekend and I believe we’re more than ready. We learned a lot from the test in December and I think with the changes since then we can improve on our Daytona debut from 2009.

Despite a 18^th place finish in his restrictor plate debut at “The World Center of Racing” three years ago, the team came prepared with a stout blue oval which boasted an impressive eighth place qualifying run only to be sidelined by a mid-race incident which resulted in the finish. Knowing that restrictor plate racing brings a lot of unknowns, Kimmel also knows that the chance is now for his team to shine and keep their momentum rolling for 2012.

“You cannot predict what happens at these plate races,” offered Kimmel, a former Super Late Model champion at Salem (Ind.) Speedway, his stomping grounds in his home state of Indiana. “Despite that being said, we still have a job to do. We’re going to try our best to run the full season, of course sponsorship pending. A good finish will definitely help in making a championship-run possible. Nonetheless, we’re going to Daytona with a great group of sponsors and it’s our job as a team at Kimmel Racing to put on an electrifying performance.”

With his father and ARCA champion crew chief Bill Kimmel calling the shots; Kimmel doesn’t feel the pressure of performing but rather using the bond as a chance to explode into the limelight with potentially his first career win.

“Daytona, means so much too many of those on our race team,” Kimmel sounded. “It’s a place that is magical and can bring those types of results. But, having Dad atop of the box doesn’t affect the way I drive. He believes in me and I believe in him. It’s a partnership that we both trust each other. We both know though it’s going to be a tough field by looking at the entry list, so timing will be everything and patience will be vital to the eventual outcome. We’re just thankful to be a part of the action.”

In addition to Enterprise Software Development (ESD) and Clarksville Schwinn, Kimmel Racing is thankful for the support of Crosley Radio and Ingersoll Rand who have joined the veteran ARCA organization as additional sponsors for ARCA’s version of the Super Bowl.

“I feel like we are forever indebted to every person and sponsor who is making this trip to Daytona possible,” Kimmel remarked. “We know that without them none of this would be possible.”

The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule.The 49^th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 16 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 17 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 18^th from 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local. ARCA, celebrating its 60^th season in 2012 is the preamble for the highly anticipated Budweiser Shootout for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) set to ignite under the lights later that night.

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

PHOTO CAPTION: Will Kimmel, driver of the No. 68 Enterprise Software Development / 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

Ready for Daytona