JACKSONVILLE, NC – ARCA legend Frank Kimmel is looking forward to the challenge the unique layout of the 4/10-mile Goodyear All American Speedway will present during Saturday’s Summer Classic.
Kimmel, 60, from Clarksville, Indiana, is a 10-time champion and 80-time race winner in the ARCA Menards Series and a recent inductee into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame. After retiring from racing several years ago, he has been able to climb back in the cockpit of a racecar in the Grand National Super Series, which will make its inaugural visit to Eastern North Carolina on Saturday and will be the veteran racer’s first trip to Jacksonville.
“I’m really looking forward to it because I always enjoy going to someplace I’ve never been before,” Kimmel said. “I never raced on it, so that was a lot of fun. I always enjoy going to those types of racetracks. The short tracks are where we all come from so, I did look it up [the other night] when Bob told me that’s where it’s going to be. I saw some video of it and it’s a weird shaped track which is great. That’s how it out to be. I’m very much looking forward to it.”
Kimmel watched video of April’s CARS Tour race in preparation for Saturday’s Grand National Super Series event, which will consist of two 50-lap races.
“The CARS Tour cars are not exactly like the cars we’re using but they’re closer than a Super Late Model or Street Stock or something,” Kimmel added. “I’m running an old [USAR] Pro Cup car. It looks like a really racey little racetrack.”
Kimmel, who is now a spotter in NASCAR and ARCA, returned to the cockpit of a racecar earlier this year when the series competed at Tri-County Speedway in Caldwell County, North Carolina. At first, the longtime racer was nervous.
“Honestly, I was pretty nervous about going to Tri-County when it actually happened and the rain didn’t get us,” Kimmel explained. “I think it’s been six years since I drove an ARCA short track type car. You just hope you don’t go out there and look like a 60-year-old man who can’t do it. I was a bit apprehensive and nervous. It’s much more difficult to race the short tracks than the big tracks. People think that’s weird but it’s the truth. The activity and the action is so much quicker on the smaller racetracks so you have to be ready to go and on top of your game. I was a little bit nervous.”
Kimmel ended up sweeping at Tri-County, but the race was not easy as he had to battle with Clay Rogers, a five-time champion of the USAR Pro Cup Series (now the Solid Rock Carriers CARS Tour).
“Clay Rogers was there, he won a couple races. We raced against each other many times in ARCA and he’s just a great racer. He done well and I was hoping I could still do something, so it was a pleasant surprise. He and I actually talked, and we got over the driving thing, it’s been the same since he drove. You put it out of your mind and realize you’re going to be working on cars for young guys which is fine. Still making a living in the racecar world, something we never thought we would do, still a dream come true.”
After being back in the car, Kimmel had the need for speed that he craved his entire career.
“The second time I took the car out at Tri County, I said this is trouble because I remember why I liked doing this,” Kimmel added. “It’s a sport that gets in you and it’s as bad as any drug that you want to take, I think.”
For the first time this season, Kimmel will also race head-to-head against Jeremy Mayfield, a five-time winner of the NASCAR Cup Series and the series’ most recent winner. The two used to race each other often at Kentucky Motor Speedway.
“Jeremy and I go back a long time, racing street stocks in Whitesville, Kentucky,” Kimmel stated. “That’s where David, Jeff and Mark Green, and the Waltrips all started there, in Whiteville. We came down from Southern Indiana and raced against him. We were pretty big rivals. He was the guy to beat and I would come down and steal some of his thunder every now and then and it was a lot of fun.”
On top of his success in ARCA, Kimmel also made seven starts in the NASCAR Cup Series in the early-2000s.
“Getting to race Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace was a great opportunity,” Kimmel commented. “In order for me to do better, I needed to do it full time and be one of the guys every race, being there for the long picture. I think I would’ve been able to race them better if I did. It was a great opportunity to do something that you never dream you’d get to do.”
Kimmel is one of several drivers who will compete in the two 50-lap Grand National Super Series features on Saturday night, which is part of the Summer Classic. Legends, Bandoleros, Bombers, and Champ Karts will also be in action.
Grandstands open at 6pm and the green flag will wave at 8pm. Tickets are available at the gate for $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and kids five (5) and under are admitted free. Trackside parking and suite seating are also available, concessions are on site, and discounts are available for active/retired military and veterans and senior citizens.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
