Frank Kimmel and the No.25 Ansell HyFlex INTERCEPT-Menards Toyota team finished 11th in Saturday’s ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Pocono ARCA 200 at Pocono Raceway.
Kimmel, who had a strong week of practice and high hopes going into the weekend, qualified third for the event.
“The car was really good all week and it showed in qualifying. We were really happy. The guys in the garage did a nice job preparing the car for the race. I think that was a really positive thing for the day,” said Kimmel.
Starting in a good spot the veteran driver fought a loose handling car at the onset and then lost a cylinder midway through the race adding to the drivers’ frustration.
“We fought a really free car all day long. As we started the race we fell into line but the car was free and we just never were able to get it tightened up,” said Kimmel.
“We held our own and I thought we were going to be fine but then a plug wire came loose and we dropped a cylinder midway through the race putting us a lap down so then it was just a matter of trying to stay out and not mess up the car. The guys were able to fix the plug wire under the pit stop and we came back out and got the lucky dog spot putting us in good position but it just went green the rest of the way and ended up where we did.”
Kimmel, ready to rebound, looks ahead to this weekend’s event at Michigan International Speedway.
“I’m excited to have the chance to get back in the car in a few days at Michigan. We had a strong car this weekend and think we can apply a lot of what we learned here. I have a lot of confidence in this team and expecting good things next weekend.”
Kimmel and the Ansell-Menards race team will be back on track Friday evening for the Corrigan Oil 200 at Michigan International Speedway.
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