Frank Kimmel Ready for the Charge at Daytona

Frank Kimmel will make his 21st ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards start at Daytona International Speedway Saturday, and his thirst for a first victory is as fresh as ever before.

Kimmel has seven top-fives and 11 top-10s in his previous 20 starts dating back to 1992, and finished second in both 2004 and 2005. As he drives for his first Daytona win, he'll use ThorSport Racing's No. 5 chassis, just a part of a new fleet at ThorSport's shop in Sandusky, Ohio.

The nine-time ARCA champion answered several questions before his first race with ThorSport. 

After a solid year in 2011? Is this your year?

Kimmel: "I get that question quite a bit these days. It has been a great learning experience so far with ThorSport Racing. They bring great resources to the table, and with the partnership with Toyota, the resources expand even further. We can call up the engineers at any time with a question, or something that is stumping the guys in the shop, and the engineers can't wait to tackle it. It's really refreshing to see in a make relationship, and we've provided a lot of good feedback from the test sessions. Now we've just got to see how these engines do on the biggest superspeedway we've got!"

What do you think of ThorSport Racing so far?

Kimmel: "This is a great time to be joining a racing organization with momentum. These teams, in both series, are so focused on winning championships, it's unbelievable. Duke and Rhonda Thorson have slowly and steadily grown their program for 16 years, and they didn't do it in a 'fly-by-night' way. It's the same way I look at my career. I've been blessed with a lot of opportunities from different team owners, and I knew to grow steadily. Coming from a family of 'money racers' - ones who did it for a living and knew that they had to put bread on the table each weekend based on their racing results - it's the same way they run their shop. Every week, it's a run for a win and a championship. Top 10 is great, but it's time to pay the bills with trips to Victory Lane. It changes everyone's focus."

Are you ready for Daytona this weekend?

Kimmel: "I can't wait for Daytona. I have so many memories here; so many good times and challenging times. That's what racing is all about, and it's fitting that we have such highs and lows at the 'Super Bowl' of racing every year. Last year, I was able to pull off a top 10, but it wasn't where I wanted to finish obviously. We've got some understandable nerves, with a new team and a new crew chief - but everyone has worked tremendously hard to prepare these race cars and be professional. I'm excited to get out on track for first practice and see how we can work out the details. Jeriod (Prince), my crew chief, and I have worked together quite a bit to fine tune the details in the offseason. It's a good partnership already."

Are you thinking of breaking records?

Kimmel: "Iggy was one of my heroes in racing - I say that a lot. I grew up watching him race my dad, then racing him myself. It would be such an honor to be able to get past his win record, but it isn't something I think about daily. My dad always told me to get out there every race and be prepared. You really can't think past each race, since so much can happen. Especially at a superspeedway like Daytona, there are so many other factors at work, from luck to weather to other drivers' skill around you. We have a traditionally full field at Daytona, and my eye is always on safety. So I'll start conservative, but for sure my eye will be on Victory Lane. It's one place that I've never gotten a trophy, and I want that trophy!"

Kimmel's quest for a first Daytona victory will begin today in ARCA Racing Series practice, which lasts from 1-5. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring.

Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, with final practice at 10 a.m. and the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.