Catchfence

September 12, 2010 – (Mooresville, NC) – After missing the last five ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards races, Cunningham Motorsports will return to the scene of a recent victory lane celebration, Salem Speedway on Saturday night, when the ARCA cars arrive in Salem, Indiana. The Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic presented by Federated Car Care is a one day event taking place on September 17. In the fall Salem event in the 2010 season, Cunningham Motorsports took the checkered flag with current Camping World Truck Series driver, Dakoda Armstrong and also had a third place finish that night with their second car. Cunningham Motorsports has been forced to compete in only 7 of the 16 races in the 2011 season because of the lack of sponsored drivers. Two Cunningham teams unloaded at Salem Speedway to test at the short track prior to the race this past week.

Ryan Lynch will drive the #22 Dodge in the 200 lap event. The 25 year old from New Boston, Texas has been racing since he was 8 years old, initially competing in Go-Karts and continuing through IMCA Limited Modifieds, INEX Legends, United States Super Trucks and K&N Pro Series. While racing, Ryan earned his college degree from The University of Texas at Tyler and used it while developing and maintaining the website, points system and lap timing system at the 201 Go-Kart Speedway in New Boston, Texas, which his dad and family own. In 2010, Lynch competed in the United States Super Truck Series, finishing 5th on the national circuit. Ryan has experienced some new challenges in 2011, making his first career NASCAR K&N Pro Series start at South Boston Speedway and testing at Daytona International Speedway with the ARCA Racing Series. After getting his first look at the .555 mile track during the test last week, Lynch commented, “The track is unique…it’s wild. This is my first opportunity to drive a car with this much horsepower. It was so different going down a front stretch with that kind of power. With a little more track time, I think we can be real competitive during the race.”

Frank Kimmel II, the son of 9-time ARCA Series champion, Frank Kimmel, is going to pilot the #77 Ford at Salem. “Frankie”, as he is known to those of us who have watched him grow up, has won three championships at Salem Speedway. He won the super stock championship in 2010 and 2009, in addition to the street stock championship at Salem in 2008. The fact that Salem Speedway is only 30 minutes from his home should be enough incentive for Frank II to put on a good show for his many fans at the speedway. But, he has additional incentive in the fact that he will be racing against his father, Frank, who has won at Salem 9 times and his cousin, Will. Bragging rights in the Kimmel family are at stake! When asked about the opportunity to race with the Cunningham team at Salem, “We have Briggs Cunningham and Kerry Scherer helping us out and I can’t be more excited for that,” explained Kimmel. “That really made all of this possible. My dad put the car together and Paul Andrews and his team are going to put the finishing touches on it. I know the car will be capable of winning; the driver is another story.”

The 90 minute practice session will begin Saturday at 1:05 ET, followed by Menard’s Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell scheduled for 4:00pm ET. An autograph session will take place right after qualifying, currently planned for 4:45-5:15. The 200 lap, 110 mile main event will start at 7:30 ET. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage of all events.

For live updates from Salem, follow Cunningham Motorsports on Twitter @cunningham_race

- Cunningham Motorsports Press Release