Drivers excited about Kentucky NASCAR Truck Series race

Kimmel and Crawford hope a good showing will spark their  truck seasons.

AP Photo Kyle Busch leads the field in his No. 51 Toyota truck during the Built Ford Tough 225 race at Kentucky Speedway in 2008.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By John Bombatch, Staff Writer Updated 8:40 AM Thursday, July 2, 2009

CINCINNATI — There are at least two drivers who will be looking to turn their fortunes around July 18 at Kentucky Speedway.

That’s when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will pair up with the ARCA RE/MAX Series for a pair of races at the Sparta, Ky., racetrack.

Nine-time ARCA Series champion Frank Kimmel, of Clarksville, Ind., and Truck Series contender Rick Crawford, of Mobile, Ala., were on hand Wednesday, July 1, at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse in Cincinnati to preview the upcoming races. Both drivers said the Kentucky event could be where they turn around their seasons.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Kentucky,” said Crawford, who currently sits ninth in the Camping World Truck Series point standings. “It’s not your typical track layout. It’s a D-shaped oval with three really unique turns, but it’s got enough track width where you can really get a little speed going. It’s a fun place to race, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Crawford said he and his racing team may get back to a more basic approach to the races from here on out. He said he hopes to “bring something new” to the Built Ford Tough 225 race, which is set for a 7 p.m. start.

Everyone in the Truck Series is trying to stop points leader Ron Hornaday. He’s won the last two events and is gunning to become the first repeat winner at Kentucky. In nine races in Sparta, there have been nine different winners. Hornaday won the race in 2006. Previous winners Mike Skinner (2007) and Dennis Setzer (2005) also are entered.

Kimmel is third in the ARCA points standings, but with no wins and two top-fives, the four-time Kentucky race winner grades his season out to be a “C” through nine races.

“Our finishing average just isn’t as good as I believe it can be,” he said. “We just haven’t had a strong year so far. Hopefully, we can turn that around at Kentucky.”

One of Kimmel’s top-five finishes came May 9 during the series’ first trip to Kentucky, when he finished fifth.

Parker Kligerman of Westport, Conn., leads the points standings. He’s also the series’ most recent winner, having won the Tim Richmond Memorial race June 20 in Mansfield.

The Kentucky 150 will follow the Truck Series race with a scheduled 9 p.m. start.