Kimmel Becomes First ARCA RE/MAX Driver To Surpass $2 Million in Winnings.

Business Editors/Sports Editors/Racing Writers & Columnists

DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2002

Three-time ARCA RE/MAX champion Frank Kimmel became the first $2 million winner in ARCA history by taking his 40th career checkered flag in Sunday's Allen Crowe Memorial 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Dominating the competition from the very beginning of the 100-lap race, Kimmel led 84 laps in his Advance Auto Parts/Pork. The Other White Meat(R) Ford on his way to winning his third consecutive event at the Springfield, Ill., track.

"It's a tremendous honor to have seen such success doing something that I love," said Kimmel. "I have nothing but respect for this racing series and know that I owe a great deal of my success to the support of my fans, my team members and my sponsors. This is a great team, and I hope we can continue down this path through the remainder of the season."

While it took Kimmel about 160 races to earn his first million dollars in winnings, it took only half as many events to earn his second million. Since joining forces with car owner Larry Clement and partner E.T. Sharp in 1996, Kimmel has been the dominant force in ARCA and has won 38 of his last 140 races. Kimmel is currently leading the series by 280 points.

"Frank and his brother (crew chief Bill Kimmel) have put together a great team that refuses to lose," said team owner Clement. "No matter how well we run, they're always looking for ways to improve."

Kimmel is the lap leader among all ARCA drivers on record with 5,860 laps led in 105 races. He also leads all recorded drivers with 128 top-five finishes and 164 top-10 finishes. Kimmel's wins have taken place on 21 different tracks throughout the country.

"We think it speaks well of the ARCA RE/MAX Series that a team the caliber of Frank Kimmel and the Advance Auto Parts/Pork. The Other White Meat Ford group has chosen to race here and has achieved a level of success making it a long-term, full-time race team in our series," said ARCA president Ron Drager. "Frank's on-track accomplishments in the series are well-documented, and surpassing this significant earnings milestone is yet another measure of the team's success."

Clement said, "Frank's record is the result of one talented driver and the dedication of many supportive partners. Our sponsor partners, Advance Auto Parts and Pork. The Other White Meat, as well as our associate sponsors, enable us to do the things that make a difference."

"Frank and the race team have brought such a positive response from the Advance Auto Parts customers and team members," said Wendy Delano, Advance Auto Parts motorsports marketing manager. "Our customers and team members can relate to the hard work and dedication that has been put forth at the race shop and on the track. We're looking forward to continuing to celebrate the successes that Frank and his team experience."

"Support of Frank and his driving career comes from every corner of our organization," said John Hagerla, assistant vice president of retail and foodservice marketing for the National Pork Board. "From our CEO to our 80,000 pork producers -- everyone is proud to have their dollars behind Frank and the team."

With six races left, the Advance Auto Parts/Pork. The Other White Meat team is poised to win its fourth ARCA championship. The next race for the team will be Aug. 31 at Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Ind.