Kimmel Aiming for Break Through Short Track Win

No. 44 Ansell/ Menards Toyota Camry

ARCA RACING SERIES – RACE 13 OF 20 – LUCAS OIL RACEWAY PARK 

For the ninth time in series history, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will hit Indianapolis’ short track for the Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200. 2011 marked the first time Frank Kimmel competed at Lucas Oil Raceway Park, and the nine-time champion returns this weekend chasing a break through short track win.

Kimmel and the Ansell/Menards Toyota team have consistently performed near the front of the field at every short track event in the 2012 season. After season best finishes of 2nd at Salem and Toledo, the tight confines of short tracks have proved to be the strongest efforts for Kimmel thus far in 2012. Four of Kimmel’s five top five finishes in 2012 have come on short tracks, and has only one finish outside the top ten on short tracks. After leading 23 laps at Iowa two races ago, Kimmel has led a total of 84 laps on short tracks this season.

Over the last two weeks, Kimmel has become a major player in the championship chase, trying to win an unprecedented 10th ARCA title. With six of the eight remaining events on tracks one mile or less, Kimmel and the Thorsport Racing team like their chances to gain ground on the point leaders through the hot summer stretch. Consistency has always been a staple of Kimmel’s career, and 2012 has been no exception. After 12 events, Kimmel has nine top ten finishes, and just two finishes worse than 11th. With solid performances week after week, Kimmel and the Ansell/Menards team are focused on breaking into victory lane this weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway Park.

2012 SHORT TRACK PERFORMANCE: Kimmel has scored his season best finish on short tracks this season. Two runner-up finishes at Salem and Toledo have contributed to a total of five top five finishes. Kimmel has led 84 laps on short tracks this season, and has one finish worse than 11th.

TOP TEN STREAK: Kimmel rides a streak of three consecutive top ten finishes dating back to New Jersey Motorsports Park on July 1st. After finishing 3rd at Chicagoland Speedway, Kimmel enters LORP with two consecutive top five finishes.

CLOSE TO THE RECORD: Kimmel can tie Iggy Katona’s all-time record of 43 pole awards this weekend during Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell on Friday at 5:30pm ET. In addition, Kimmel’s 74 career wins is five behind Katona’s all-time wins record in the ARCA Racing Series.

POINTS REPORT: After 12 of 20 races, Kimmel sits fourth in ARCA Racing Series points and trails point leader, Chris Buescher, by 100 points. With finishes of 5th at Iowa, and 3rd at Chicagoland, Kimmel has gained 60 points on the point lead in the last two races.

CHASSIS CHOICE: Kimmel will race Thorsport Racing’s A-1 chassis for the sixth time in 2012. Chassis A-1 has been raced to two runner-up finishes, and was most recently raced at Iowa where Kimmel finished 5th. (Mobile – 17th, Salem – 2nd, Toledo – 2nd, Winchester – 11th, Iowa – 5th).

THORSPORT TANDEM: For the first time this season, Thorsport Racing will field two cars in the ARCA Racing Series. Matt Crafton, driver of the #88 Menards Toyota in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for Thorsport Racing will pilot the #18 Messina-Menards Toyota.

AVON, IN MENARDS APPEARANCE: Kimmel will visit the Avon, IN Menards location on Thursday, July 26th, from 7-8pm ET. Kimmel will be joined by the defending Brickyard 400 race winner, Paul Menard, and Thorsport Racing teammate, Matt Crafton to sign autographs. Menard’s #27, and Crafton’s #88 showcars will also be on display. The Avon Menards store is located at 10555 East US Highway 36, Avon, IN 46123.

THOUGHTS FROM THE DRIVER: Frank Kimmel

WITH ONLY ONE START, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON RETURNING TO LORP?

“I’m really looking forward to going back. It’s only 2 hours from home, which is always nice. It’s such a legendary racetrack, lots of history and a really cool racetrack. Last year, we didn’t run good at any point during the day. I was frustrated that we ran so poorly. So, this year I’m really looking forward to improving, especially with our record on short tracks this year. In order to stay in the points battle, we have to run well and redeem ourselves from last season.”

WHAT MAKES LORP SO MUCH DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SHORT TRACKS IN THE SERIES?

“The biggest difference is how flat it is. The track surface is a lot different from anywhere else we run because you don’t run right on the bottom. You run in up in the middle of the racetrack and sometimes, even higher. It’s a difficult place to get a hold of. The cars don’t want to turn, and once you do, it’s free up off. We seem to be tighter in the middle and loose up off the corner there more than anywhere else we go.”

Race Info   

July 27th, 2012

Lucas Oil Raceway Park 

.686 Mile Oval 

Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 200

200 Laps/137 Miles   

Broadcast Info:

Live Timing & Scoring at ARCARacing.com

Friday July 27: Practice – 1:35pm – 2:20pm ET  Final Practice – 3 – 3:45pm ET Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell – 5:30 pm ET  

Race – 9 pmET – LIVE ON SPEED   

Team Facts:

Current Driver Point Standings: 4th   

Chassis: A-1 (Recently Raced at Iowa – 5th)   

Engine: TRD (Toyota Racing Development) & TRIAD   

Frank Kimmel ARCA RACING SERIES results at LORP:

WINS: 0     

POLES: 0    

Top 5s: 0      

Top 10s: 0     

Total Appearances: 1

ABOUT MENARDS:

With 263 stores in 13 Midwestern states, Menards has the tools, materials and supplies for all your home improvement needs whether just needing a light bulb or can of paint to building a deck or new home.  Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader; it’s no wonder their famous slogan – “SAVE BIG MONEY” – is so widely known and easy to remember.  Menards does things right – the company’s strength and success can be seen in the well-stocked and maintained stores, the lowest prices in town and the way guests are always treated like family in a hometown hardware store atmosphere.

ABOUT ANSELL:

Ansell is aglobal leader in protection solutions, with operations in North America, LAC, EMEA and Asia-Pacific.  Ansell designs, develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of surgical, examination, industrial and household gloves, protective clothing and condoms. People in over 100 countries around the world put their trust in Ansell’s innovative, high-quality solutions to offer superior protection, combined with high levels of comfort and performance.   Ansell holds its operational headquarters in Red Bank, NJ, USA and its parent, Ansell Limited, is registered  in Melbourne, Australia. Worldwide, the group employs over 10,000 people in 33 countries. In its Fiscal Year 2011, Ansell achieved sales of USD 1.2 bn. For more information visit www.ansell.com, www.safetypro.com,www.activarmr.com and www.ansellconstruction.com.