Kimmel Racing returns to hometown roots 30th annual Halloween 200 next at Salem

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 15, 2018) – Kimmel Racing’s connection to Salem Speedway Fueled by the Hoosier Lottery reaches back to the 1950s, when team founder Bill Kimmel, Sr. first circled the storied half-mile oval in ’55. From open wheel sprint cars without roll cages to the much safer modern-day ARCA stock cars, three generations of Kimmels have been going in circles in Salem for decades.
 
On the ARCA Racing Series side, it’s been twice each season. But thanks to an old Salem standby, and a lot of help from Crosley Brands, the Kimmels are staying home more these days; and that’s just fine with them.
 
Next stop – the 30th annual Smoker Friendly Discount Tobacco Halloween 200 for the Lucas Oil Great American Stocks coming to the “High-Banks” Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20-21. It’s not just the biggest street stock race of the year at Salem that brings the Kimmels back; it’s the lure of returning to their Salem roots as often as they can.
 
“The Great American Stocks take you back to your roots,” said team owner Bill Kimmel, Jr. “We tend to forget how racing is supposed to be fun. The Salem street stocks remind us that racing is still fun. And it’s nice that you don’t have to drive all night to get home. The pressure is still on though. If you’re competitive, you still want to win. That pressure doesn’t change.”
 
You might think winning in the local street stock division would come more easily for Bill Kimmel and his son Will. It’s worth noting that Bill won nine ARCA national championships as crew chief for his brother Frank Kimmel. But not so fast in the Salem street stock division.
 
“There’s nothing easy about the Great American Stock series at Salem. There is a regular core group of these racers that pour their hearts and souls into this division. These guys are really excellent racers, in really good cars. It takes a big commitment to run well. We wouldn’t be as well off as we’ve been without Crosley’s help.”
 
And while the Kimmels have not won yet at Salem in 2018, they’re in the hunt each race, finishing runner-up four times already this season. The team, with Will in the driver’s seat, has been campaigning nearly full-time in the Lucas Oil Great American Stocks this year in the No. 69 Crosley Brands Chevy Nova.
 
“This is one of the toughest local divisions in the country; I’d put these guys up against anyone,” said Will Kimmel. “These guys understand this track as well or better than anyone. And they’re all really good racers. They take care of their own race cars and drive with more respect. They don’t run you over. They figure out how to pass you without knocking you out of the way. They’re really a good bunch to race with.
 
“But I’d say overall, it’s more relaxed racing. There’s not as much pressure. My car doesn’t have to be as close coming off the trailer as the ARCA car. The street stock lets you make up for it in the seat, and that helps teach you as a driver. If it’s not working good, just move around on the race track and find your groove.
 
“Having Crosley as our sponsor this year, let’s us go to the track when we want to go, or when we have time. But if we’re not out of town with the ARCA car, you can bet we’re at Salem with the Crosley Brands-TNT Chevy Nova. Crosley helps us stay competitive in the street stock without taking away from our ARCA program. I think the street stock racers at Salem, and that class of car, are the best in the country at what they do. They all take care of their own cars so they don’t want to tear it up. They don’t want to wreck you; they want to race you. Thanks to Crosley Brands, we’re having a lot of fun, and doing it here at home.”
 
Currently, there are nine former Halloween 200 winners expected for this year’s race. That list includes all-time winner (7) Chuck Barnes, Sr., four-time winner Brett Hudson, two-time winner Chuck Barnes, Jr., Frankie Kimmel, Blake Hillard, Todd Kempf, Johnny Magee, Tony Conway and Phil Jenkins.
 
Practice for the Halloween 200 is Saturday, Oct. 20 from 1 – 3 p.m. Spectator gates open at 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning with final practice following at 10. The start of the Smoker Friendly Discount Tobacco Halloween 200 is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21.
 
Advanced general admission tickets are $14 for adults and $5 for kids, ages 7-12. Kids, 6 and under, are free when accompanied by an adult. All prices are $2 more weekend of the race. Tickets can be purchased online at SalemSpeedway.com or by calling 812-883-6504 or toll free at 888-246-7223 during regular business hours.
 
Saturday’s practice session is free with free weekend camping available outside the main gates.

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