Interview by Kevin Striegle

TODD KIMMEL

Driver Tidbits:
Name: Todd Ryan Kimmel
DOB: October 6, 1990
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 125lbs
Birthplace: Avon, IN
Residence: Avon, IN

Hobbies: Track and Field, Cross Country, Girls, R/C Cars
Aspirations: I would like to make it to Nascar.  Obviously that is the goal of every young racer.  If I can just make it in racing in some way I would be very happy, but Nascar is the ultimate goal, but being someone like Jon Stanbrough or Eric Gordon isn't a bad thing.

Todd's Favorites:

Racetrack: Quarter Midget-Lansing Mich.  Micro-TK Raceway Sprint Car Dirt-Eldora Sprint Car Pavement-IRP
Type of Music: Country or Rock Bands: Any of them
TV Show: Home Improvement or anything on SPEED
Food: Chinese
Sport other than Racing: Football
Movies: Days of Thunder, Passion of the Christ, Talladega Nights, CARS
Actor: Will Ferrell
Actress: Jessica Simpson
Car: Corvette
Driver: Jeff Gordon & Kasey Kahne

Color: Red   

Todd Kimmel.com

Todd, when did you make your first career race start and in what series?

I was 6 years old.  It was at Mini Indy Speedway in Indianapolis, IN in quarter midgets.    

Talk about what your favorite series that you've run in so far, through your early years of open wheel racing.

I would have to say running the midgets was pretty awesome.  They are a really tough car to drive due to the small wheel base and horsepower.  It just makes the cars fun, but hard to drive.    

How do your fellow competitors treat you as a driver, being so accomplished in Micros?

Well its not as good as most people think considering that I was 13,14, and 15 when I won those 3 championships and I was racing with adults.  Its not an all bad, but you do get dogged alot, but at the same time they respect you a little bit more if your not wrecking them.  I made some great friends and maybe a few enemies, but I credit my quarter midget and micro racing for my driving abilities.  

What helped you get into the current racing position that your in right now?

My dad would have to be that person.  Other then that guys like Jack Yeley, Joe Devin, Casey Shuman, Danny Drinan have been big parts in that area of getting me going in the sprint car and midget deal.  

What are your plans for the 2007 racing season?

Well we are planning on racing the sprint car around the midwest.  Also planning on running some midget stuff out west.  I have some other deals that are being talked about, but I really cant say anything right now.  

What is the biggest key to success that you have found in your few years of racing up until this point?

Just being around the car.  You have to work on it to win races in my opinion.  If the driver doesn't work on his car he wont trust it or understand what its doing.  I am my crew chief and I make all the calls on what goes on set up wise.  So I would have to say that working on the cars is the greatest thing to be involved in.  

What is your long term goal, for your racing career?

NASCAR, IRL, F1, ect. I would say Nascar or F1, but Nascar is the ultimate goal.

Also at this point I would like to thank all the people that have helped me through my years:

My dad and mom, Pete Clements, Carla and Andy Baber, the Bennetts, the Kirkmans, Connie and Dwayne from Miami County Speedway, Trucks in Action, Keizer Wheels, Impact Racing, Hoosier Tire, Concept Chassis, DRC Chassis, Gotta Race, Goodridge, Indy Powdercoating, Indy Race Parts, Blackwell Motorsports, Kidwell Race Cars and everyone that has helped me through the years. Thanks to Flat Foot Racin for all that you do in the racing world! With out those people none of this would have been possible.

Todd racing at his first career Chili Bowl event January of 2006