No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford Race Facts Talladega Superspeedway – The 3 Amigos 250
Driver: Frank Kimmel Crew Chief: Bill Kimmel Jr. Car Chief: Eric Beyl
Sponsor: Ansell; Menards Team: Kimmel Racing Chassis: 367 *This Chassis competed at Talladega on April 23, 2010 and finished 11th and at Daytona this past February finishing10th.
Frank Kimmel Quotes:
You won at Talladega in 2006. Can you relive that race and tell us how you pulled off your first restrictor plate victory?
“It was nice to get that first restrictor plate victory. We had a really great car that entire weekend. We were fast in all the practices, so we knew going into the race that we had an opportunity to win. We raced up front all day, and I remember close to the end receiving a push from Mike Wallace to the lead. Right after taking the lead the caution flew, and the race was called due to darkness.” There has been a lengthy layoff since Daytona. How eager are you to get back to racing?
“I’m very eager to get back on the track. We usually have a race in between Daytona and Talladega, but this year they changed the schedule a bit. However, we’ve kept really busy getting our Ansell-Menards Ford’s ready for other races that are just around the corner.” You had problem during the Talladega test session earlier this month. Have those issues been rectified?
“Yea, we resolved the issue. I guess if anything came from a horrible day then finding the cause of the problem was it. Basically, we had a valve that was installed before the test that was not allowing the engines to cool properly. It was an unfortunate mistake on our part but we’ve fixed it and we’re now ready to race.” What kind of racing do you expect to see at Talladega? “I think it’s going to be similar to Daytona, though I do believe you’ll see larger packs running together, probably three deep at some points. Talladega is easier to get a grip on, compared to Daytona. It’s so smooth and there’s a ton of room to maneuver around.” Quick Facts:
* Frank Kimmel has 18 starts at Talladega Superspeedway in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards * Frank Kimmel’s best career finish at Talladega Superspeedway in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is 1st in 2006 * Frank Kimmel has 1 Win, 1 Pole, 8 top-five and 10 top-ten finishes at Talladega Superspeedway * Frank Kimmel is a 9 time ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Champion (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) * In his career, Frank Kimmel has collected 74 wins, 42 poles, 232 top-five and 301 top-ten finishes in 411 starts Race Information: What – The 3 Amigos 250; ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards
When – Friday, April 15, 2011; 4:00 p.m. CDT Where – Talladega Superspeedway; 2.66 Mile Tri-Oval; 94 laps, 250 miles Broadcast – SPEED Channel Frank Kimmel’s Handy Tips to Talladega presented by Ansell 1. Remain Patient: Talladega is a long race, and the only way to win is to be around at the end. 2. Be Smooth: Use your head and make the right moves at the appropriate times. Jumping from lane to lane usually doesn’t get you to the front any quicker. 3. Show Respect: Respect the other drivers on the track. Getting in a disagreement at Talladega could cost half the field. 4. Follow the Rules: Remember to stay below the blend line coming on and off the track. 5. Know Your Car: Be sure to pump your brakes when coming off the track to pit. Ansell Gloves can be purchased at any Menards location. Be sure to watch Frank Kimmel in the No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford at Talladega Superspeedway for the 3 Amigos 250 in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. The race can be seen live on SPEED Channel on April 15, 2011 at 5:00 pm EDT. More information can be found at www.frankkimmel.com
