Frank Kimmel Jupiter PBIR test wrapup

Frank Kimmel and the No. 44 Ansell/Menards Team Prepare for First ARCA Race at Palm Beach International Raceway

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (February 9, 2010) - In preparation for the Tire Kingdom 150 presented by ModSpace set for Feb. 27, Frank Kimmel and the Ansell/Menards team left Daytona Beach, FL and headed south to Palm Beach International Raceway for the scheduled ARCA Racing Series Presented by RE/MAX and Menards open test session.

The No. 44 Ansell/Menards Ford was the tenth quickest overall out of nineteen cars in the morning session with an 81.99 second best-lap and an 88.83 mph best-speed. The afternoon session found the No. 44 Ansell/Menards Ford ninth fastest with a lap time of 80.98 seconds. The nine-time champion finished tenth fastest overall and was the quickest of the six Ford cars at the test.

"The test went really well. I learned a lot today. Anytime I go road course racing, I learn a lot. I thought we had an excellent test overall. We put a set of tires on in the morning and stayed with them all day," Kimmel said.

Kimmel also tested the Hoosier rain tire, in preparation for wet weather. "The Hoosier rain tire did just fine," the ARCA veteran said. "There were no major problems. I hope we won't be in a situation where we have to use it, but if we do, I think thebest-lap and an 88.83 mph best-speed. The afternoon session found the No. 44 Ansell/Menards Ford ninth fastest with a lap time of 80.98 seconds. The nine-time cham tire will perform just fine."

The nine-time champion commented on his first impression of the track. "It's a nice racetrack. I was impressed with the facilities. I'm really looking forward to coming back. I know we were reaching speeds of 170 on that back straight, and that's getting with it. It is going to be a fun race."

The 75-lap event scheduled for the end of the month will be the first-ever ARCA race at PBIR, and the first of two scheduled ARCA road course races this season. Kimmel and the Ansell/Menards team will look to make their mark in the history books when the checkered flag falls after 150 miles of road course racing at the 11-turn track.

-source: frank kimmel