Indianapolis, IN – The No. 44 Ansell ActivArmr-Menards Ford, driven by Frank Kimmel, finished 12th in the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 from Lucas Oil Raceway.
Before last night, Frank Kimmel was one of many who looked forward to racing at the famed Lucas Oil Raceway. Especially when you consider that LOR is one of the only tracks that Frank has not conquered in his career of racing. In fact, he has only raced there once in his career, when in 2001 he competed in a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.
Additionally, Frank Kimmel was sporting a special paint scheme for the Ansell Protective Gloves 200 promoting Ansell’s new line of gloves called ActivArmr. ActivArmr is a special jobsite glove that offers optimal balance of protection, dexterity and comfort.
Unfortunately, Frank will have to wait till next year for another shot at victory. The misfortune started early for Frank and the Kimmel Racing team, as the Ansell ActivArmr-Menards Ford would receive damage to the left front fender in practice. Frank made unintentional contact with the No. 31 while trying to come into the pits. The damage would have the Kimmel Racing crew scrambling to get the Ansell ActivArmr-Menards Ford ready for Menards Pole Qualifying.
“I made contact with the #31 during practice, which didn’t help our chances today. It was my fault. I was working my way back to the pits and was moving down but the #31 was there. It put us behind for sure,” said Frank.
The good news was that the Kimmel Racing crew was able to get the Ansell ActivArmr-Menards Ford repaired in time to make a qualifying lap. A lap fast enough for 10th place. Unluckily, the lap was disallowed because the team did not go out in the time limit given by the ARCA Racing Series to qualify in the original spot drawn. The result had Frank starting last in the field of 36.
Frank would quickly move the Ansell ActivArmr-Menards Ford inside the top-20 by lap 50 but deal with an ill-handling race car and fight to stay on the lead lap for most of the night. The Kimmel Racing team made numerous adjustments throughout the race but they could never get the Ansell-Menards Ford to turn in the corners.
“We had our work cut out for us to night. The problem in practice had us behind early and we couldn’t rebound. Our Ansell ActivArmr-Menards Ford wasn’t handling the way we needed it to tonight. It wouldn’t turn in the corners at all. We made every adjustment we could but it just wouldn’t turn. It’s disappointing. We’ll put this behind us and will look forward to Pocono,” said Frank Kimmel after the race.
Frank would drive up to 9th place late in the race but would surrender a few spots on the last restart and eventually cross the finish line in the 12th position. Even with the 12th place finish, Frank would move back up to 2nd in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards point’s standings.
Continue to watch for Frank Kimmel at Pocono Raceway driving the No. 44 Ansell-Menards Ford on August 6th for the Pennsylvania ARCA 200 in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. Also, be sure to visit a Menards location to purchase your next pair of Ansell Gloves. More information can be found at www.frankkimmel.com , www.ansellracingus.com http://www.ansellracingus.com/ , www.menardsracing.com http://www.menardsracing.com/ , and www.arcaracing.com http://www.arcaracing.com/ .