| Frank Kimmel, driver of the #44 Ansell/Menards: With your 3rd place finish in the 2009 championship battle, are you fueling 2010 with momentum built from last season? "Last year was definitely a reality check for us. We have the momentum from 2009's successes with top-5 and top-10 finishes, but along with that comes preparation in the off-season. This team has prepared non-stop for the 2010 season, and we're ready to go out there and win some races and be a championship contender all year long." Being a veteran in the sport, what would it mean for you to win at Daytona?
"I've never won here before so it would be amazing to win at Daytona. Winning at this track ultimately makes a drivers' career and is the first thing that comes up when asked of their accomplishments. I'm very optimistic, and I'm hoping the Ansell/Menards team can enjoy the feeling together in victory lane this weekend." How do you feel about seven out of the last eight tries resulting in top-5 finishes at Daytona, but no win?
"This Ansell/Menards team is as prepared as we've ever been for Daytona. We're using a car that Boris Said drove and had the fastest qualifying time at Talladega. Even though he didn't 'legally' get the pole due to the rain delay, it was the car with the quickest time. I don't think we have a pole sitting car, but definitely a top-10 car for qualifying." Striving towards your unprecedented 10th championship this year, what changes have been implemented for your team to leap ahead of the competition?
"Our desire and will to win has been set to another level after coming off a winless season last year. A Ford hasn't been in victory lane in a year, so we're hoping to change that starting with the big race. We hope to continue to learn and get better as the season progresses." What are your thoughts on Danica Patrick racing ARCA at Daytona? "I think it's great that she's here in Daytona. It's a really neat deal for ARCA and everyone involved. She's going to bring a lot of press to the series, whether it's good or bad press, she's going to make this race one of the biggest in ARCA's media history. It'll be great for my sponsors, as well as the other drivers and series as a whole. Danica can definitely drive a racecar, but it's going to be a challenge to make the transition and deal with all the media attention she gets. I hope she does well, and I think it'd be great if she finished second-right behind the #44 Ansell/Menards Ford!"
"Kimmel's Top Ten" Top ten things to do and places to see in Daytona Beach, Florida: 10. Prime Outlets (For my wife and daughter!) 9. The beach...of course! 8. Ponce Inlet Lighthouse 7. North Turn - The birthplace of the Daytona 500. 6. Daytona 500 Experience 5. Cow Licks Ice Cream Parlor 4. Volusia Speedway Park 3. New Smyrna Speedway 2. Mario's Italian Restaurant 1. Visit Daytona International Speedway and watch the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200!! (And see those other guys qualify for the Daytona 500- whatever that is?!)
2.5 mile paved oval Superspeedway SCHEDULE On-track: Thursday, Feb. 4 Practice, 12 noon-4:50 PM Friday, Feb. 5 Pole Qualifying, 11 AM
(positions 1-32/2 laps) Final Practice, 5:40-6:30 PM Saturday, Feb. 6 Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, 4:30 PM Race Coverage: Sat., Feb. 6, 4:00 PM ET, SPEED (LIVE)
For additional information about Frank Kimmel, please visit www.frankkimmel.com. | 
