Frank Kimmel Sweeps Grand National Features in Summer Classic
Frank Kimmel stole the show on Saturday night – picking up his third and fourth wins of the season in the series in his first time racing at Goodyear All American Speedway.
Kimmel started second in the first of two 50 lap races and made the pass for the lead on pole sitter and series points leader A.J. Henricksen in the opening laps. Once he took the lead, he never surrendered it, navigating through lapped traffic and crossing the line first. The second 50 lap feature was almost an encore, with Kimmel surging to the lead in the first five laps after an invert and driving away for the victory.
“I’ll tell you, all the guys at Bob Schact Motorsports, really good racecar tonight,” Kimmel said in victory lane. “We struggled in practice but I think it was a lot driver, and once I started to figure out this little place, it got better and better and the car just kept going faster and faster. Had a great racecar tonight, good run. A.J. had a really fast racecar too. I had to stay on my toes to stay away from him. I’m just glad to be able to get back first.”
The 60-year-old from Clarksville, Indiana had previously retired from racing after winning 80 races and 10 championships in the ARCA Menards Series. He came back to race for Bob Schact in the Grand National Super Series at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, North Carolina and said he remembered why he enjoyed racing – and he enjoys the winning part especially.
It’s always fun to get to come and race and to get to come and run a car like that which runs so well meant a lot. It definitely feels good when you win it, that’s for sure. I really enjoy these cars and it’s a great concept Bob’s come up with and just glad to be a part of it.
A.J. Henricksen finished second and Jeremy Mayfield finished second and third respectively in both features.
Hubert’s Eddie Humphrey picked up his first win since early April in the Bomber feature, snapping a four race winless drought at Goodyear All American Speedway. Humphrey did so in dominant fashion, leading wire-to-wire in the 25-lap feature to take home the $555 check that went to the first place finisher.
“It’s been a while, that’s why I had to do a victory lap,” Humphrey said in victory lane. “Almost feels like the first one, it’s been so long. They always feel good. That was a blast. It’s so hot man, that was tough. Having to do restarts and pace laps didn’t help. Man, glad to be back in victory lane. That was a lot of fun.”
With the victory, Humphrey also extends his lead atop the championship standings in the division.
Raleigh’s Phoenyx Kimball, who has been the most dominant driver in the Bandolero division at Goodyear All American Speedway, returned to victory lane for the first time since April 23 – and then doubled down later in the evening with a victory in the second race in the Bandolero doubleheader.
“It wouldn’t be able to happen without my team and sponsors,” Kimball said in victory lane. “It feels great. It feels good to win twice in one night.”
Snow Hill’s Aaron Layden scored his first career win in the Champ Kart feature, while Charlotte’s George Phillips and California driver Jake Bollman split the Legends doubleheader.
Goodyear All American Speedway brings the action again on Saturday, July 30 with the WRNS All American Showdown presented by Atlantic Turfscapes, which features 10 divisions of racing after two previous races were rained out earlier this month. The WRNS All American Showdown will mark the one year anniversary of the relaunch and reopening of the track under the management of Anthony and Tonya Goodyear.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook
