Kimmel to make Cup Series debut at Kentucky

All his life, Clarksville's Will Kimmel has gathered around a TV when it comes time for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. His perspective will be a bit different next week at the Kentucky Speedway.

Kimmel has been tabbed to make his first start on NASCAR's top-level circuit with the July 11 Quaker State 400, driving Go Green Racing's No. 32 car at the Sparta, Ky., track.

"I've got a lot of respect for those guys," Kimmel said. "I'm looking forward to it, but at the same time, I'm kind of nervous."

The 27-year-old doesn't have a certain finish as a goal for once he's behind the wheel of a car that has NASCAR champion Bobby Labonte hired for this weekend's race at Daytona. Rather, Kimmel said he just wants the experience -- "and to make all the laps."

"It's neat to see your kid achieve what he's always wanted to achieve," said Bill Kimmel, his father. "What comes next, it remains to be seen. But at least he gets the opportunity. It's pretty cool, because it's really tough to get to that level. It's like making it to the NBA or Major League Baseball."

Last year, Will Kimmel competed in five NASCAR Xfinity Series races. He's driven at a high level since 2008, running for his family's race team based in southern Indiana.

In nine ARCA races this season, Kimmel has two top-five and three top-10 finishes. But oftentimes, the operation shows up, completes a couple laps and takes last-place money, saving for the next time out.

Even when allowed to race, "He has to finish races in our ARCA cars, because we simply don't have the money to rebuild them every week," Bill Kimmel said.

Still, he says his son's talent is apparent. It's in his genes, too. Uncle Frank is a 10-time ARCA series champion and won eight titles in a row from 2000-2007.

For now, Kimmel's deal to drive the No. 32 stands at one race.

"In order to make it at the next level, it's going to take equipment and a team that has millions of dollars to spend," Bill Kimmel said. "At that point, I think he'd be a great fit there."