FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (6-23-02)

TOLEDO, OH: Defending race winner and Series champ Frank Kimmel bided his time, worked his way to the front and took the lead with 55 laps to go on his way to victory in the Jasper Engines and Transmissions 200 for the ARCA RE/MAX Series Sunday afternoon at Toledo Speedway on an extremely hot and humid day. Layne Parker of Jasper Engines presented Kimmel with a Gold Cup in victory lane ceremonies.

The 35 car starting field was set through time trials and provisionals. 41 cars were on hand Sunday, with rookie Chad Blount setting the Old Milwaukee Beer fast time at 17:237 on the ½ mile paved oval. On the start of the 200 lap event, Damon Lusk jumped into the lead as Blount fell back quickly with mechanical problems, something that would keep him off the pace all day. Lusk was strong and lead the race for 88 laps. A rash of yellows allowed Kimmel and several other front runners to pit and make adjustments to their machines. Ron Cox assumed the lead as he stayed on the track, and he stayed there until AJ Henriksen worked his way to the point. Jason Jarrett, Chris Moore and Andy Belmont stayed in the top 5 most of the day, but Belmont retired late in the day with mechanical woes. Lusk, who also pitted just past the half-way mark, lost a lap in the pits, but stayed in the lead pack, desperately trying to get back on the lead lap. Jarrett took the point from Henriksen on lap 120, but Kimmel was on the fly. Frank worked his way to the point on lap 144, with Lusk glued to him. Damon got his lap back on lap 158, but Kimmel slipped by just before a yellow, keeping Lusk 1 lap down. The Jeffersonville, IN native avoided a late-race spin by several cars in turn 2 and a green-white-yellow restart at the finish to nail down the victory over Jarrett, Moore, Fred Campbell, Henriksen, rookie Michael Simko, Billy Venturini, Vern Slagh, Lusk and Todd Bowsher. The top 8 cars all finished on the lead lap.

In the companion Michigan Legends Car 25 lap feature, Sean Jennison recorded his first-ever feature win, holding off Tim Sloan in the final laps for his big victory. The caution-free race saw 4 different leaders as Jennison moved to the front with 10 to go. Sloan charged up through the 18 car field and looked to the low groove but settled for second. John Turnbull Jr., Rick Hanson, Tom Adis, Rick Kilbourn, Levi Rouster, Mike Satkowiak, Todd Clees and Steve Jancar completed the top ten. Kilborn, Tommy Jordan and Sloan took the heat race wins.

Toledo Speedway goes back to its Friday night racing schedule through August 23. Friday, June 28 is Roadway Express Night, when the ARCA Late Models, Sportsman and the return of the Figure 8 class will make up the racing card of fun and excitement. Time trials begin at 6:15 and racing starts at 7:30 p.m. The track is located on Benore Road at the I-75/Alexis Road exit on the Michigan-Ohio border.