| Birth name | Francis James Kimmel |
|---|---|
| Birth date | April 30, 1962 (age 64) |
| Birth place | Clarksville, Indiana, U.S. |
| Total cup races | 7 |
| Years in cup | 4 |
| Best cup pos | 54th (2002) |
| First cup race | 1998 Pepsi 400 (Michigan) |
| Last cup race | 2002 Pocono 500 (Pocono) |
| Cup wins | 0 |
| Cup top tens | 0 |
| Cup poles | 0 |
| Total busch races | 1 |
| Years in busch | 1 |
| Best busch pos | 94th (2001) |
| First busch race | 2001 Pepsi 300 (Nashville) |
| Busch wins | 0 |
| Busch top tens | 0 |
| Busch poles | 0 |
| Total truck races | 14 |
| Years in truck | 10 |
| Prev truck pos | 48th |
| Prev truck year | 2013 |
| Best truck pos | 44th (1996) |
| First truck race | 1995 Ford Credit 200 (Louisville) |
| Last truck race | 2013 Ford EcoBoost 200 (Homestead) |
| Truck wins | 0 |
| Truck top tens | 2 |
| Truck poles | 0 |
| Total arca races | 503 |
| Years in arca | 27 |
| Best arca pos | 1st (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013) |
| First arca race | 1990 Toledo Arca 125 (Toledo) |
| Last arca race | 2016 Eddie Gilstrap Motors Fall Classic (Salem) |
| First arca win | 1994 Toledo Arca 150 (Toledo) |
| Last arca win | 2013 Kansas Lottery 98.9 (Kansas City) |
| Arca wins | 80 |
| Arca top tens | 374 |
| Arca poles | 45 |
Francis James Kimmel (born April 30, 1962) is an American former stock car racing driver. He competed primarily in the ARCA Racing Series, from 1990 through 2016. Kimmel is the most successful driver in ARCA history, winning the ARCA championship ten times; first in 1998, then the 2000 through 2007 championships, and again in 2013.[1] Kimmel also holds the all-time record for race wins in the ARCA Racing Series with 80.
Kimmel is currently the crew chief for Jason Kitzmiller and CR7 Motorsports, which fields the No. 97 Chevrolet in the ARCA Series.[2] From after the end of his driving career in 2017 through 2019, he returned to Venturini Motorsports (the team he drove for part-time in 2015) as a crew chief and a driving coach for their drivers, such as Leilani Münter, Gavin Harlien, and Hailie Deegan.
Personal
Kimmel was born in Clarksville, Indiana on April 30, 1962. His father, Bill Kimmel, Sr., was a three-time ARCA race winner.[3] Frank resides in Borden, Indiana[4] with his wife Donna. He has two children Holly and Frank II.[5] He also has two years of college education. Kimmel is involved in his community, participating in school events and coaching youth sports.[5]
Early career
Kimmel made his first career start racing a street stock at the age of fifteen. Seven years later, he moved to late models. Before racing in ARCA, Kimmel won three championships racing Late Models.[6]
Motorsports career
ARCA
Kimmel's first ARCA start was in 1990. His first full season was 1992, driving the No. 02 Indiana Steel Co. Pontiac for Wallace Racing. Kimmel was consistent and was able to claim Rookie of the Year honors. Kimmel joined Shirley Racing in 1993, still driving in the No. 02. Kimmel won his first race at Toledo Speedway in 1994 en route to finishing second in the points that year.[citation needed]
Kimmel would join Steve Rauch Racing in 1996 on a part-time schedule and transitioned from the No. 02 to the No. 46. Despite being part-time that year, Kimmel won three races and finished eighth in the points. He would return to full-time in 1997 in the No. 46, winning one race en route to finishing second in the points.
In 1998, Kimmel joined Clement Racing, driving the No. 46 Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet. Kimmel found immediate success, winning nine races en route to his first ARCA championship. After finishing second in the points in 1999, Kimmel won eight championships in a row (2000–2007). During this streak, Kimmel broke Iggy Katona's record for the most championships in ARCA Series history. He became the first ever ARCA Racing Series driver to be assigned a seat in the IROC (International Race of Champions) Series in 2006.
In 2006, the crew chief on Kimmel's team was his brother, Bill Kimmel Jr.[4]
In 2008, Kimmel left Clement Racing after ten seasons, where he won 63 races and nine championships. Kimmel would form his own team with his brother Bill, known as Kimmel Racing in the No. 44. The team initially ran a Dodge with the support of Cunningham Motorsport and sponsorship from Riverside Auto at Daytona before joining forces with Ford Racing for the remainder of 2008.
On August 2, 2008, Kimmel was injured in a three car crash on lap 68 at Pocono Raceway, suffering a concussion.[5] He was taken to the hospital for observation overnight.[7] Though lacking a title sponsor for the entire year of 2008, Kimmel and his team won three races and were able to pull out a second-place finish in points by a margin of 50. The loss of the championship was not the surprising part of that year but rather the surprise was how close Kimmel was to winning a tenth title. As a result of his performance, Ansell and Menards joined forces with him the following season, a partnership that continued until the end of his racing career.
Following the 2011 ARCA Racing Series season, Kimmel left the Kimmel Racing team, and drove for ThorSport Racing in the ARCA Racing Series starting in 2012.[8]
On June 30, 2013, under crew chief Jeriod Prince, Kimmel tied Iggy Katona's record for most wins in the ARCA Racing Series, winning his 79th career victory at Winchester Speedway.[9] On October 4, 2013, he clinched his tenth ARCA Racing Series championship at Kansas Speedway.[10] Kimmel went on to win the race, surpassing Katona to become the all-time win leader in ARCA Racing Series history.
For the 2014 season, Kimmel moved to Win-Tron Racing, retaining his No. 44.[11] His final start came in 2016.
Kimmel holds ARCA records in a number of categories, including starts, wins, and poles.
On December 20, 2019, KBR Development hired Kimmel as team general manager.[12]
NASCAR
Kimmel made seven starts in the NASCAR Cup Series,[13] five of those coming with Travis Carter Motorsports in 2002.[14] He found little success in the series. His best finish to date was a 26th-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He had one Busch Series start.[13] Through 2010 he had two top-ten finishes from twelve Craftsman Truck Series starts.[13] and ran the 2011 and 2013 Camping World Truck Series season finales at Homestead-Miami Speedway for ThorSport Racing.[8]
IROC
Kimmel was invited to participate in the 2006 edition of the International Race of Champions, IROC XXX. Kimmel was the first ever ARCA Racing Series driver to be assigned a seat in IROC.
That season, Kimmel placed seventh in points[15] with a best finish of third in the first race[16] of the four-race IROC season.[15]
Motorsports career results
Career summary
NASCAR
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Nextel Cup Series
Daytona 500
| Year | Team | Manufacturer | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Fast Track Racing Enterprises | Ford | DNQ | |
Busch Series
| NASCAR Busch Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | NBSC | Pts | Ref | ||
| 2001 | HighLine Performance Group | 8 | Chevy | DAY | CAR | LVS | ATL | DAR | BRI | TEX | NSH 11 | TAL | CAL | RCH | NHA | NZH | CLT | DOV | KEN | MLW | GLN | CHI | GTY | PPR | IRP | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | KAN | CLT | MEM | PHO | CAR | HOM | 94th | 135 | [21] | ||
Camping World Truck Series
Winston West Series
| NASCAR Winston West Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | NWWSC | Pts | Ref | ||
| 2001 | Clement Racing | 46 | Chevy | PHO | LVS | TUS | MMR | CAL | IRW | LAG | KAN 1* | EVG | CNS | IRW | RMR | LVS | IRW | 42nd | 185 | [32] | ||
| 2002 | Ford | PHO | LVS | CAL | KAN 22 | EVG | IRW | S99 | RMR | DCS | LVS | 53rd | 97 | [33] | ||||||||
ARCA Racing Series
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
International Race of Champions
(key) (Bold – Pole position. * – Most laps led.)
| International Race of Champions results | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Pos. | Pts | Ref |
| 2006 | Pontiac | DAY 3 | TEX 8 | DAY 8 | ATL 7 | 7th | 40 | [61] |
References
- ^ "The Official Website of ARCA - Kimmel Claims 9th ARCA RE/MAX Series National Title". Archived from the original on 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
- ^ Rutherford, Kevin (January 27, 2025). "Jason Kitzmiller Running Full ARCA Schedule". Frontstretch. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ "The Official Website of ARCA - All-Time Winners". Archived from the original on 2007-07-18. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
- ^ RoundAbout Entertainment Guide - Harley-Davidson of Cincinnati 150 Archived 2007-05-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Official website of Frank Kimmel". Archived from the original on 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2010-04-21.
- ^ "Racing beat - Truckers News"
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
- ^ "ThorSport Racing Expanding to ARCA Series with Frank Kimmel in '12". ThorSport Racing PR. Iowa Speedway. 11 November 2011. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
- ^ "Looking back at big ARCA race weekend"
- ^ "Kimmel clinches 10th ARCA Racing Series title". Rotoworld. NBC Sports. October 4, 2013. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-04.
- ^ Kerchner, Mike (December 22, 2013). "Short-Track Roundup: ARCA champion Frank Kimmel changing teams". Autoweek. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- ^ "KBR Relocating, Hires Kimmel As General Manager". Speed Sport. December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ "Driver Frank Kimmel Career Statistics - Racing-Reference.info". www.racing-reference.info
- ^ "Driver Frank Kimmel 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Results - Racing-Reference.info". www.racing-reference.info
- ^ "IROC Results for 2006 - Racing-Reference.info". www.racing-reference.info
- ^ "Driver Frank Kimmel's IROC Results at Daytona International Speedway - Racing-Reference.info". www.racing-reference.info
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2001 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1995 NASCAR SuperTruck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1996 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1997 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1998 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1999 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2001 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2001 NASCAR Winston West Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2002 NASCAR Winston West Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1990 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1991 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1992 ARCA SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1993 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1994 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1995 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1996 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1997 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1998 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 1999 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2000 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2001 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2002 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2003 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2004 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2005 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2006 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2007 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2008 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2009 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2010 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2011 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2012 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Frank Kimmel – 2006 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 3, 2023.