Will Kimmel Bio
Will Kimmel III, born on May 11, 1988, is an American stock car racing driver from Sellersburg, Indiana. He competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series behind the wheel of the No. 68 and No. 69 Ford for the family-owned Kimmel Racing operation. Over the course of his career, Kimmel has also made starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, building a reputation as a determined short-track specialist rooted in a deep family racing tradition.
Early Life and Background
Will Kimmel III was born in Sellersburg, Indiana, a small community just north of the Ohio River that has long produced competitive short-track talent. Growing up surrounded by motorsports, he was introduced to racing at a young age through the Kimmel family’s long involvement in the sport. His father, Bill Kimmel Jr., competed on short tracks across the Midwest and helped establish the foundation for what would become Kimmel Racing.
The Kimmel family name carries significant weight in American stock car racing. Will’s uncle, Frank Kimmel, is one of the most successful drivers in ARCA Menards Series history. That family connection gave Will early access to race shops, equipment, and a network of experienced crew members, shaping his understanding of the sport from childhood.
Path to NASCAR
Kimmel began his racing career in 1998, working his way through local short tracks in Indiana. In 2006, he stepped up to Salem Speedway, one of the most respected short tracks in the country, and won the track’s Rookie of the Year award in the Super Late Model division. The following season, he captured the Salem Speedway track championship, becoming the youngest driver ever to earn that title.
Those early accomplishments drew the attention of ARCA team owners, and in 2008 Kimmel made his debut in the ARCA Racing Series at Cayuga. Between 2008 and 2013, he competed in 62 ARCA races, posting a career-best finish of second at Salem Speedway in 2011. He also won the Polar Bear 150 street-stock race at Rockingham Speedway in 2010, a notable victory that came against a field that included Cup Series star Kurt Busch.
Will Kimmel Career
Early Career (1998–2007)
Will Kimmel’s formative years were spent on the short tracks of Indiana, where he developed the driving instincts that would later define his style. His success at Salem Speedway in 2006 and 2007 marked him as a young talent worth watching, and the Kimmel family expanded their racing efforts to prepare for his move up the ladder.
By the end of 2007, Kimmel had built a solid reputation at the regional level, and the family-owned Kimmel Racing operation had grown enough to field cars in higher-profile series. That foundation paved the way for Kimmel’s transition into the ARCA Racing Series the following year.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough (2008–2013)
Kimmel made his ARCA debut in 2008 at the Cayuga ARCA Re/Max 250 and quickly became a regular in the series. Over the next six seasons, he balanced driving duties with the realities of running a small family team, logging 62 starts between 2008 and 2013. His best result came at Salem Speedway in 2011, where he finished second, and his best championship position was eighth in 2013.
Throughout this period, Kimmel drove the No. 69 for Kimmel Racing, building consistent top-ten finishes and earning two pole positions. His work ethic behind the wheel and his ability to adapt to a variety of track types helped establish him as a dependable presence in the ARCA garage.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Debut (2010)
In 2010, Kimmel made his first NASCAR national series start in the Camping World Truck Series at Kentucky Speedway, driving the No. 44 Ford. He finished 21st in that debut event, a solid result that introduced him to NASCAR’s national stage.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2011–2014)
Kimmel’s first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series start came in 2011 at Kentucky Speedway, where he drove for Go Green Racing and finished 35th after an accident. In January 2014, he announced that he would drive part-time for TriStar Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, competing in five events behind the wheel of the No. 44 Toyota. He closed out his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series career with a start at Charlotte in 2014, ending the year ranked 41st in the standings.
NASCAR Cup Series (2015)
On May 12, 2015, Kimmel joined Go FAS Racing for his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut in the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway. He finished 38th in that race, five laps behind the leaders. Later that season, he added a second Cup start at Kansas Speedway in the Hollywood Casino 400, where he finished 39th. Those two starts gave him a best Cup Series points result of 46th in 2015.
Kimmel Racing Era (2009–Present)
Since 2009, Kimmel has continued to drive part-time for the family team, Kimmel Racing, in the ARCA Menards Series. The operation fields the No. 68 and No. 69 Ford entries, and Kimmel has remained a steady presence in the garage, contributing to the team’s development while also stepping in as a crew chief for the No. 68 car. In 2026, he crew chiefed Kimmel Racing’s No. 68 car at Daytona in the ARCA season-opener.
Driving Style and Strengths
Will Kimmel is best known for his short-track racing instincts, sharpened through years of competition at Salem Speedway and other regional ovals. His ability to maintain consistent lap times over long runs, combined with a patient approach to race strategy, has made him a reliable finisher in the ARCA Menards Series. Working closely with his family-run operation, Kimmel has developed a steady partnership that emphasizes preparation and mechanical understanding.
Notable Races and Milestones
Among the highlights of Kimmel’s career is his 2010 win in the Polar Bear 150 at Rockingham Speedway, where he beat Cup Series regular Kurt Busch. His second-place finish at Salem Speedway in 2011 stands as his best ARCA result, and his 2015 Sprint Cup debut at Kentucky Speedway marked a significant personal milestone. Becoming the youngest Salem Speedway track champion in 2007 remains one of his proudest early achievements.
Will Kimmel Career Wins
Will Kimmel’s career has been built more on consistency and longevity than on outright victories at the national level. Across his starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he has not recorded a win. His competitive highlights have come in regional and short-track events, most notably his 2010 win in the Polar Bear 150 at Rockingham Speedway.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
In the ARCA Menards Series, Kimmel has made 49 top-ten finishes and earned two pole positions, even though he has not won a series race. His best championship result was an eighth-place finish in 2013. Kimmel’s most recent ARCA start listed in the records came at Michigan in 2026, underscoring his continued involvement with the family team.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his ARCA efforts, Kimmel captured the Salem Speedway track championship in 2007, becoming the youngest driver ever to earn that title. He also won the Rookie of the Year award at Salem Speedway in 2006 and claimed the Polar Bear 150 street-stock race at Rockingham Speedway in 2010, a result that remains one of the most talked-about short-track performances of his career.
Will Kimmel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Will Kimmel III comes from one of Indiana’s most recognized racing families. His father, Bill Kimmel Jr., is a veteran short-track racer who helped build the foundation of Kimmel Racing. His uncle, Frank Kimmel, is widely regarded as one of the greatest ARCA Menards Series drivers in history, with multiple series championships to his name. That family legacy has played a central role in shaping Will’s career path and his approach to the sport.
Personal Life
Will Kimmel was born and raised in Sellersburg, Indiana, and continues to be closely tied to the community that shaped his early racing career. He remains actively involved with Kimmel Racing, balancing driving duties with crew chief responsibilities for the family team. Public details about his personal life, including marital status and children, are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Will Kimmel continued his long-standing role with the family-owned Kimmel Racing team, driving the No. 68 and No. 69 Ford entries part-time in the ARCA Menards Series. His schedule reflected the balance he has struck between competing behind the wheel and helping manage the team’s day-to-day operations. The season allowed Kimmel to stay sharp on track while contributing to the growth of the Kimmel Racing program.
As a part-time entrant, Kimmel’s 2025 results were measured in selective starts rather than a full championship campaign. His experience and familiarity with ARCA rules and short-track setups remained valuable assets for the team, and his presence continued to provide stability in the garage. Teaming with family crew members and longtime supporters, Kimmel approached each race with the same preparation that has defined his career.
Looking ahead, Kimmel remains an important figure for Kimmel Racing, with the team continuing to develop the No. 68 and No. 69 programs for future ARCA Menards Series competition. His mix of driving skill, mechanical knowledge, and team leadership suggests he will remain involved in the sport for years to come.
