ARCA Series Star Frank Kimmel Talks 2012 Season, Legacy in Ranting and Raving Exclusive

When talking about the ARCA Racing Series, one name always rises to the forefront of conversation.
Frank Kimmel.
Kimmel’s identity is synonymous with winning at short track racing’s highest level. With 74 race wins and nine championships, Kimmel is the most decorated champion in ARCA Series history.
After four mediocre seasons driving for his brother, Bill, at Kimmel Racing, Frank Kimmel is looking to christen ThorSport’s inaugural ARCA season with a championship.
Kimmel sat down with NASCAR Ranting and Raving and discussed his legacy, sponsors, and the season’s first two races at Daytona and Mobile. Kimmel is a virtual lock to be one of the championship contenders come the season finale at Kansas and could cement his legacy with a tenth Series championship.
Matt Weaver: The 2012 season is a new beginning of sorts. Long-time Truck Series owners ThorSport Racing recently expanded into ARCA and signed you to be their driver. How did this deal come together?

Frank Kimmel: At the end of the year, I just decided it was time to do something different because we kind of got stale at Kimmel Racing. Bill’s ready for Will to race - my nephew, his son - so they’re going to go and do their thing and I’m going to go try my hand with ThorSport.

My sponsors approached me about a potential ARCA ride with ThorSport, so I reached out to those guys and we put a deal together pretty fast. It’s really exciting to move to a team that’s had such great success in the Truck Series. Hopefully, we can turn that over to some really good success in ARCA Racing.

The rest of the Q&A can be found beneath the jump!

Matt: You’ve had a long-standing relationship with the guys at Ansell’s/Menards. How has that relationship endured over the years?
Kimmel: They’re just a great company. They understand racing. They have a long history in IndyCar and now stock cars with Paul in the Sprint Cup Series. They just get the business of racing.
Matt: You’ve raced in the Series for over 20 years. In many ways, you’re the face of ARCA. How would you define the legacy you’ve left in the ARCA Series?

Kimmel: I really don’t think about leaving a legacy. I’m a race car driver and I want to keep winning races and championships. That’s what drives me. It’s flattering that people say that I’ve left a legacy but at the end of the day, I just want to win.
Matt: You’re second on the all-time wins list, five behind Iggy Katona. But you’ve also never won at Daytona. How important is it that you get the season started on a high-note and possibly win at Daytona and Mobile?
Kimmel: Daytona is a big one on my personal bucket list. It’s the grandest stage in motorsports and we’d definitely love to win it. At the same time, this is a new group and we haven’t even tested the car yet. We’re a little behind on our speedway program but ThorSport carries a proven track record. We definitely have a shot at coming away with a real good finish.
Mobile will be a ball. Tracks like this and Toledo are some of our best shows. We cut our teeth on tracks like this. Mobile, from what I’ve seen, is a great facility and I can’t wait to turn laps.
Matt: You’ve been around the Series for over 20 years. As such, you’ve seen a lot of guys come and go. My last question is two-fold. Name me a former ARCA Series driver that’s had a lot of talent and made it to the upper level and then name one who hasn’t, be it for politics or sponsorship reasons?
Kimmel: Kyle Busch and Ryan Newman drove some ARCA races but were never really considered ARCA guys. However, those two are immensely talented.
As for who’s deserved more success, that would be Justin Allgaier and Parker Kligerman - hands down. Justin grew up in a racing family and has worked so hard to get where he’s at. To watch him grow up at so many levels of racing has been rewarding.

Parker Kligerman could win championships if he got hooked-up with the right situation. He’s just a pure racer.

Frank Kimmel drives the #44 Menards Camry in the ARCA Racing Series. Follow him on Twitter @frankkimmel.