(June 21, 2010) - As the ARCA Racing Series Presented by RE/MAX and Menards heads to Iowa Speedway July 10, nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel will drive his No. 44 Ansell/Menards Ford Fusion to a huge milestone: his 400th career start.
Along the way, Kimmel racked up nine championships, 74 wins, and 41 poles. Just as important as his on-track success is the respect he earned from ARCA Racing Series officials, competitors, and fans alike, all the while becoming an icon in the series. Kimmel has proven a champion is more than a race winner; he is a true champion in life and on the racetrack. Kimmel is respected and admired by drivers in ARCA, NASCAR, and several other series, and every single one echoes the impact he has had on this sport.
2008 ARCA Racing Series Champion and current NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Justin Allgaier described Kimmel with adoration.
"When you think of the ARCA Series, you instantly think ‘Frank Kimmel'. Frank is the guy who has ‘been there and done that' for that series," Allgaier said. "His family has been around, winning races and championships, for quite some time. To be making his 400th start really says something about his dedication not only to the sport, but to everyone in the ARCA community. To see my name included in the list of series champions alongside his, it's very special to me. So, congratulations to Frank and his family on making this truly monumental start."
NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader, a longtime friend to and competitor of Kimmel, placed the driver in historical perspective.
"NASCAR has Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, and ARCA has Frank Kimmel. He's just a racer, a true racer. He has done so much for the series. He's the name of the ARCA Series," Schrader said. "I have always looked forward to racing against Frank, and we always have great races together. I can't think of one particular race, there's been so many."
ARCA Racing Series regulars know and respect Kimmel as more than a nine-time champion, but also an icon and a mentor. Several of them look up to him and know he has made an impact on their career in one way or another.
Craig Goess, driver of the No. 81 Eddie Sharp Racing Toyota, described Kimmel's humble nature.
"I started racing in the series last year. Everyone, before they start to race in the series, knows at least one name, and that is Frank Kimmel," said Goess, who achieved his first victory 16 days ago at Pocono. "I don't know how many years he's been in the series, but he has certainly accomplished more than anyone else. Probably more than anybody else ever will. The best thing about it, I found out from real early on last year, is that you would never know it if you met him. That's probably the coolest thing about him. He has no ego, he has no chip on his shoulder, and a lot of other people with the stats that he has would."
Tom Hessert, driver of the No. 77 Dodge, also explained his perception on the great driver.
"He's more than just the icon of the series," Hessert said. "He's a mentor to all the younger guys in the series. Everyone is comfortable going to him for help, and he always lends his advice to anyone when they are struggling or just looking for some help. It's really cool because he's somebody you race against, but you can also go to him for help. I have often called him for advice or just picked his brain at the race track, and he's always been really helpful."
Steve Arpin, driver of the No. 55 car at Venturini Motorsports, and a part-time Nationwide Series driver for JR Motorsports, credits Kimmel for helping him when he first came to the series last year.
"He has accomplished much more than anybody in the ARCA Series. He's got more respect than anybody in the ARCA Series, and he earns it. When I came into this sport last year, it was my first year racing on asphalt, and Frank was the first guy to come over to me and offer me help. We were at Daytona and he brought me around the track and told me the dos and don'ts. He did the same thing at Salem, and he even drove me around the track. He's just a genuinely good person. When you see someone with that kind of attitude and that kind of dedication to the sport that he has, it is incredible. I wish the guy the best. It is incredible; 400 starts in the ARCA Series, nine championships. There is nobody that has accomplished that, and he is still going strong."
Even current points leader Patrick Sheltra attributes part of his success to Frank Kimmel.
"Without a doubt, Frank has helped me tremendously in my four years of competition. He is one of the first to come and tell me we had a good day, but he isn't afraid to tell me if I did something stupid either," Sheltra said. "That's what you look for in a role model. We've earned respect for one another in the series and that has been able to show on the racetrack. His advice and guidance has been meaningful to me on and off the track, and I appreciate that."
Kimmel is not only known for his professionalism, helpfulness, and passion; the driver is also known as a light-hearted, fun guy. Sheltra explained his fondest moment with Kimmel.
"Back in 2008, Frank and I were battling for the win at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. Frank just beat me to the line, and I finished what was then a career-best second. After the race, it was extremely hot, so Frank and I decided to celebrate by jumping in the lake right behind victory lane. Needless to say, our suits were pretty much junk after that. It took a lot of cleaning and air freshener to get it where I could wear it again, but it was one of the coolest celebrations I've ever done," Sheltra said.
As Frank Kimmel takes the green flag for his 400th start at Iowa Speedway, everyone will know who Frank Kimmel is, that he was there, and what he has done for the ARCA Racing Series. The drivers on the track will know they are truly a part of something monumental, not only to Frank Kimmel and his Kimmel Racing team, his sponsors Ansell and Menards, but also to the entire ARCA Racing Series.
As Goess and Sheltra explain best, ARCA would not be the same without Frank Kimmel.
"I think he's the classiest person in the business to be honest with you, from everybody that I've met," said Goess. "I think that this series is very, very fortunate to have somebody like him. He's got to be the ambassador of the ARCA series by far, and hopefully, he continues. For ARCA's sake, hopefully he continues to be a part of the series because he's a great asset to have."
Said Sheltra: "I don't care what you say, ARCA wouldn't be the same without Frank Kimmel involved."
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