ARCA: Kimmel wins his first race of the year at Kentucky

Courtesy Tri-State Motorsports

SPARTA, Kentucky, (May 15, 2005) – It’s been two years since Frank Kimmel won a race at Kentucky Speedway, but the six-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champ went to victory lane after winning the Harley-Davidson 150 of Cincinnati Sunday.

“This is just terrific,” said an elated Kimmel after the race, the fourth event in the 2005 ARCA RE/MAX Series. “We were really dialled in, and even with a few late-race incidents on the track, the Advance Auto Parts Ford Taurus sponsored by Pork really was flying.”

The Indiana driver qualified 17th out of 43 starters for the race, but by lap 16 on the 1.5-mile oval Kimmel was in fifth spot, chasing pole-sitter Chad Blount. After a four-tire pit-stop on lap 34, Kimmel got back on the track in second spot behind Blount, and the two diced for the lead with Ken Weaver getting in the mix. On lap 67 Kimmel took the point, and started to distance himself from the rest of the pack.With 30 laps to go, Kimmel had built a two-second lead, and even with several cautions in the closing stages, Kimmel just powered away from the rest to win with a two-second margin.

“Everything came together well,” stated Kimmel. “We had a great pit stop on lap 34. The crew did a great job in getting me back out there in a hurry. We were patient, stayed out of trouble, and had a strong car.”

The Kentucky win was Kimmel’s first of the year, and although he was leading the series before this race, he now has a commanding lead in the 22-race tour. His victory today was also the fourth time he has won at this track.

Frank Kimmel (www.FrankKimmel.com), from New Albany, Indiana, is the six-time ARCA RE/MAX Series driving champion, and the only driver in series history to win an unprecedented five consecutive titles, along with 56 posted series wins.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is a leading retailer of automotive parts and accessories in the United States. The Company has over 2,600 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. Advance Auto Parts has also been involved with all six of Kimmel's championships.

Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, services, as well as on-line purchase of parts and accessories can be found on the Company's web site at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com