Cunningham Motorsports Back on Track at Salem Speedway MOORESVILLE, N.C. - September 19, 2011) - Cunningham Motorsports returned to the race track Saturday at Salem Speedway for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers ARCA Fall Classic presented by Federated Car Care after a four-race hiatus.    The team brought two race cars, each to be driven by a rookie.  Frank Kimmel II drove the #77 Mars Trucking-Jim French Builders-Clarksville Schwinn Ford for the 200 lap event on his home track, where he won back to back Super Stock championships in 2009 and 2010.  The #22 Texas Wildfire Relief Fund Dodge was piloted by Ryan Lynch, in his first ever ARCA Series race. Frank Kimmel II After testing the prior week at the .555 mile oval, Kimmel II, son of 9-time ARCA Series champion Frank Kimmel, was looking forward to returning for the race and actually competing for the win.  With all of the experience he has had on the Salem bullring, he felt he could put those laps to good use.  The practice session led to some uncertain moments when Kimmel II continued to tell crew chief, Howard Bixman, “The car is not right, it is still uncomfortable.”  After multiple adjustments and a mock qualifying run, Kimmel II could tell his crew chief, “It’s very, very comfortable.”  After qualifying in the 9th spot, Kimmel II was excited about competing in his first full ARCA Series race.  As the race began, Frank II fell back slightly from his starting spot, falling as far as the 13th position.  As his father passed him, Kimmel II fell in line and followed in his dad’s tire tracks.  In spite of running slightly different lines through turns 1 and 2, Frank and Frank II moved through the field toward the front.  As the caution came out on lap 65, most of the leaders pitted for fresh rubber.  With Kimmel II staying out during this caution period, he assumed the lead.  Since the leaders had new tires, Kimmel II dropped steadily back to 7th after the race restarted.  As the caution flag flew on lap 85, Kimmel II brought the #77 into the pit crew’s attention for four tires and fuel, returning to take the green in 11th.  One position at a time, Frank II picked off the cars in front of him.  At one point during the race, it was the Kimmel show as cousin Will, dad Frank, and Frank II ran 1, 2, and 3.  As the caution came out on lap 149 he was riding in 2nd, commenting, “This car is awesome!”  As he came into the pits for right side tires, he took the lead and with a great stop by his crew, he came out of the pits first.  With seven cars remaining on the lead lap and 47 laps to go in the race, Kimmel II led the next 17 laps, until lap 168 when he got a tap from his eventual Salem nemesis, Tim George, who moved him up the track, allowing the 2nd place car to move around him into the lead.  As this was happening, the caution came out for fluid on the track.  Kimmel II lined up in 2nd on the restart on lap 180.  With Kimmel II in 3rd, on lap 190, the final caution of the night came out when Tim George, who was in 4th, put Kimmel II into the wall on the front stretch.  Kimmel lost a lap as he came into the pits to allow his crew to take a look over the car.  Kimmel returned to the track to take the checkered flag one lap off the pace, in 7th. After the race, the younger Kimmel said, “Wow, what a great car.  The guys worked so hard, they deserved a top 3 finish.  Thanks to everyone that helped out.  Gotta watch who I’m racing around next time.”   - Cunningham Motorsports Press Release -