Catchfence

MOORSVILLE, N.C. (May 19, 2010) – Frank Kimmel rolls into Toledo Speedway this weekend with high hopes of returning to victory lane in the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care. As the most prolific ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards driver to circle the half-mile oval, it would not be a shock to anyone if Kimmel finds Victory Lane for the 10th time in his storied career at Toledo Speedway Sunday afternoon.

Kimmel, who will be making his 30th-consecutive start at Toledo Speedway, always looks forward to returning to the half-mile short-track. “Toledo has been such a good track for me over the years, and I like short track racing,” said Kimmel. “It’s a half-mile, the type of track I was born and raised running. Short track racing goes back to the driver a little more; if the car is off a little bit, you can drive it a little different and make it competitive. It’s a really good race track. We are treated really well there, and they take good care of us. Toledo is a good place to come racing.”

Frank Kimmel earned his first of 74 ARCA Racing Series career victories in 1994 at Toledo Speedway. He never looked back from there; winning nine times while earning 21 top-five finishes in his 29 career starts at the track.

After a three-week hiatus, the ARCA Racing Series will resume on-track activities for the Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care with practice on Saturday, May 22 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. EST and Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell at 3:30 p.m. Grandstands for Sunday’s Menards 200 open at 10:30 a.m. with the green flag set to drop for 200 laps of racing action at 2:08 p.m. EST.

Frank Kimmel and the No. 44 Ansell/Menards Fast Facts

Toledo History: Kimmel comes to Toledo Speedway as ARCA’s most prolific driver. Kimmel has nine victories and 21 top-five finishes in his 29 starts at the half-mile oval.

Kimmel’s Last Race: Frank Kimmel overcame two pit road penalties and an equalized tire to score an 11th-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in the Talladega ARCA 250. Kimmel ran in the top-five for a majority of the race but was shuffled to 11th on the last lap after he had to slow up for a spin in front of him on the final lap of the race.

Meet Kimmel at Menards: Kimmel fans will have three opportunities to meet Frank Kimmel and see his No. 44 Ansell/Menards Ford Fusion in the Toledo area Menards stores this week. Kimmel will be at the Menards store in Holland, Ohio from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. and Toledo North, Ohio from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 20 and will be at the Menards store in Oregon, Ohio from 12:00 – 1:30 on Friday, May 21.

Autographs: Fans will have two opportunities to get Frank Kimmel’s autograph at Toledo Speedway this weekend. He will be signing autographs during Fan Fest 2010 on Friday, May 21 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. and will also participate in the ARCA driver autograph session on Sunday, May 23 from 12:00 – 1:15 p.m.

Did You Know?: Kimmel’s son, Frank Kimmel II, will be atop the spotters stand spotting for him on Sunday. Kimmel II also served as spotter for his father earlier this season at Palm Beach International Speedway.

Chasing the Record Books: If you look at the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards record books, there are not many lists that do not include Frank Kimmel. This season, Kimmel looks to break his own record of nine championships and win a record-setting 10th ARCA Racing Series Championship. His sights are also set on breaking the all-time ARCA win record. With 74 career ARCA victories, Frank is six wins shy of breaking the record held by Iggy Katona.

Tune In: Live race coverage for the Menards 200 Presented by Federated Car Care begins at 1:30 p.m. EST on BAS Racing Network. Log on to ARCAracing.com for live audio streaming and timing and scoring during the event.

Chassis Info

No. 44 Ansell/Menards Ford Fusion: Chassis No. 249. Crew Chief, Bill Kimmel Jr., has chosen to run chassis No. 249, “Yorkie II” at Toledo Speedway this weekend.

Frank Kimmel Quotes

What will be your keys to success at Toledo Speedway? “The first thing you have to do is finish. At these short tracks the first goal is to make it to the end in one piece. Qualifying well, having good track position as well as good pit strategy are all important at these short tracks. With any short track staying out of trouble is the major key. We need to keep the fenders on the car, don’t tear it up, so at the end of the race we have something to race with.”

Do you think having a teammate at Toledo this weekend will benefit you? “I think so; Matt and I have been to a lot of autograph sessions at Menards and have struck up a friendship. It is always good to have someone else that understands the race cars and what changes to make. They will take a different approach with their car then we do.

Even though it is one of our cars they are going to handle it differently then we will. If they strike on something that makes the car better they will share with us, and we will try to get better with it too and vice versa. I think both of us will learn from it. I’m sure Matt will be looking out for me on the race track and I will do the same for him. To have a helper and teammate on the race track is a good thing too.”

- Kimmel Racing Press Release