Kimmel Holds Off Sherman at South Boston

Kimmel Holds Off Sherman For Top South Boston Brass
 

By Don Radebaugh - SOUTH BOSTON VA (6-26-04) Frank Kimmel dominated most of the ARCA RE/MAX 200 Saturday night at South Boston Speedway en route to victory lane, but it did not come without a challenge or two.

 

Kimmel, after leading the majority of the laps, found himself playing catch-up in the end, and then had to hold off the hard charge from Pork polesitter Brent Sherman to earn his 52nd career ARCA RE/MAX Series triumph in his 268th attempt.

 

"I have to say the Advance Auto Parts-Pork Ford was near perfect tonight," said Kimmel from victory lane. "We got one set of tires we didn't like as much, but once we got that behind us, we were good to go. We knew Brent (Sherman) was coming, but he ran out of time. Not sure what happened to Jason (Jarrett); if he broke something or what. Just a total team effort tonight; these guys on this team are consistently the best in this league."

 

Sherman, in his own Serta Mattress-Hickory Farms Ford, finished second less than a length away.

 

"I'm not at all ashamed to finish second to Frank Kimmel," said Sherman. "He's a class act, and he's the guy to beat here, and he beat us again. It's that simple. But we're getting closer all the time. I'm really proud of all my guys. They really stepped up big tonight."

 

Jason Jarrett, with Kimmel on fresher tires in tow, was leading with less than 20 laps to go when his car broke loose and spun in turns one and two. Jarrett's car would not re-fire prompting series officials to wave the yellow flag. With only four machines now on the lead lap, Sherman ducked into the pits for fresh tires while Kimmel stayed out and inherited the lead. Back under green, Sherman quickly disposed of the third and second place cars and set his sights on Kimmel, who by now had built a ten-car-length advantage. With time running out, Sherman made it all the way to Kimmel's rear bumper just as the checkered flag fell. Jarrett, who did not return to competition, finished a disappointing 19th.

 

Billy Venturini, in the Tucson-Lumber Liquidators Chevrolet, finished third. Norm Benning, in his own unsponsored Chevrolet, finished fourth tying his career-best finish. Benning was the last car on the lead lap. Joe Cooksey, in the SERVPRO Chevrolet, finished fifth, one lap down. 

 

Kimmel, who started outside pole, got the jump on Sherman at the onset and stepped out to a full straightaway lead over the field. Kimmel led right up through the halfway point before the Jeffersonville, Indiana driver pitted for new tires and gas. By lap 110, Kimmel had already raced his way back into the lead while Sherman, Venturini, Benning and Cooksey jockeyed for position. Not as happy with his second set of tires, Kimmel, under caution, opted for another pit stop on lap 155 while most of the other front-runners stayed out. By that time, Jarrett, who had only pitted once during the 200-lap, 80-mile race, had a sizeable lead over Sherman, Venturini, Benning and Kimmel. But Kimmel, on fresher tires, whittled away at the leaders before passing Sherman for second with 20 laps to go. Kimmel soon reeled in Jarrett and was getting ready to make a move on the leader when Jarrett spun on lap 184. 

 

Leading ARCA Rookie of the Year contender TJ Bell, in Brad Kemp's unsponsored Chevrolet, finished sixth in front of Christi Passmore, who finished seventh in the GAP Roofing-Asphalt & Fuel Supply Ford. Mark Gibson, in the Williams Bros Lumber Chevrolet, finished eighth with rookie AJ Fike trailing in ninth in the Ray Farms-Loberg Construction Pontiac. Bob Aiello, who started last, finished 10th in his own unsponsored Ford.

 

Bell's Brad Kemp Motorsports team, who went well above and beyond the call of duty, earned the Gladiator GarageWorks Gladiators of the Race award. Kimmel picked up the Bennigan's Halfway Lap Leader award. Todd Bowsher, who qualified fifth but got caught up in an early wreck, received the Landrum Spring Hard Luck honors.

 

The ARCA RE/MAX Series returns with more short-track action Saturday night, July 3 at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan for the GFS Marketplace 200.

 

TOP-10 ARCA RE/MAX SERIES POINTS AFTER SOUTH BOSTON:  1) Frank Kimmel 2660; 2) Billy Venturini 2350; 3) Brent Sherman 2315; 4) Mark Gibson 2130; 5) Jason Jarrett 2085; 6) TJ Bell 2020; 7) Todd Bowsher 1955; 7) AJ Fike 1955; 9) Christi Passmore 1890; 10) Darrell Basham 1875.