Will Kimmel Racing News

Kimmel and MGR Persevere To Top 20 Finish At
Iowa SpeedwayNewton, Iowa.

Enduring scorching summer temperatures and mechanical gremlins, Will Kimmel and team
fought through to finish the ARCA Racing Series Prairie Meadows 200 at Iowa Speedway in 18th position Saturday night. The Clarksville, IN driver made his first start of the year in the ARCA Racing Series after receiving the call to pilot the 59 Dodge for Mark Gibson Racing out of Statham, GA. Early in the week Gibson stated “I’ve always wanted to run Will in one of my cars. He’s obviously got the talent. Let’s just go!” Kimmel commented “I’m really excited to get to drive Mark’s car. Every chance to get more seat time is so important!” Referring to his recent racing schedule, Kimmel said “It’s great that in the last month I’ve gotten to drive three really different styles of car: Super Late Model, the Street Stock and now an ARCA car.” Early in practice a problem with the fuel pump sidelined the 59 costing them valuable track time. By the time the faulty unit was replaced Kimmel was only able to make 8 practice laps. Fighting a
tight handling condition, Will commented that “The engine feels good. When I get it turned, it really picks up good down the straightaways. We’ve just got to get it turning through the center.” Qualifying 21st fast, Will stated “We out qualified some good cars. With a little more practice I think we could have been top 15!” Beginning the 200 lap event, Kimmel had definite goals, “I want to run the laps and get the experience.” Also high on his list of priorities was to show respect to the faster cars and perhaps most important: “roll the car back on the trailer” in one piece! A high speed ¾ mile D shaped track, Iowa Speedway features progressive banking and multiple racing lines. Due to the limited practice time, Will had to spend the early portion of the race searching for which line was fastest for the car on either end of the track. A soft right rear tire at lap 40 set the team back; “It would dart left one turn, then to the right the next!” Additional valuable laps were lost as Kimmel was forced to pit under green to replace the tire. “Once we changed the tire, I was able to get my confidence back and we really started getting
faster. I found that the car really liked the high line on both ends of the track, and then we were pretty competitive. I could drive in with most anybody.” Gibson, serving as Crew Chief for the race, asked Kimmel at one point if he would like a chassis adjustment to loosen up the car. Kimmel answered “Mark, there are so many different lines around this place, let me just stay out here and search for the fastest way.” Post-race, Gibson commented “Will did fine! Did a great job! He was very cautious at the start, with us only getting a handful of laps in practice due to the fuel pump. We had the tire trouble early on, but he recovered well. Heck with 20 laps to go in the race he turned his fastest lap – a 25:50 which was very respectable. He passed the 76 and chased down the 31 at the end!” referring to the Richard Childress Racing entry of Tim George which had competed for the lead early. “We did what we set out to do, and now we’re going to run Will again at Pocono. Funding is really tight right now but if things come around we may do a few other things.” Kimmel was very appreciative of the crew’s efforts: “Mark and his guys worked really hard through some tough situations. I really appreciate all of their work and the confidence Mark showed in me to give me this great opportunity!” Dad – and champion Crew Chief of Frank Kimmel– Bill Kimmel Jr agreed, “This is a really good experience for Will. All in all – a really good deal!” With an undamaged racecar parked behind the MGR hauler post race, Will announced with a smile “And we can roll the car onto the trailer!” Will is currently scheduled to compete in the ARCA Racing Series Presented by Re/Max and Menards at the following races:

Pocono Raceway Weis Markets 125 July 31 Broadcast live on SPEED TV

Illinois State Fairground Allen Crowe 100 Aug 22

DuQuoin State Fairground Federated Car Care 100 Sept 6

And also in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series:
Kentucky Speedway Built Ford Tough 225 Sept 3 Broadcast live on SPEED TV


Will Kimmel Racing is currently seeking marketing partners. If you are interested in being associated with Will and WKR, please visit our website for sponsorship information: www.sponsorwillkimmel.com
or call: (502) 645-9370.