Right Place, Right Time, Right Car

By Jason Jarrett

I remember back when I had my attempt at the NASCAR Busch Series. Those were a couple of the most stressful but somehow still rewarding years of my life. And, I remember how much more special my next win was once I positioned myself with the right people. I am sure Brent Sherman had some of the same feelings on Friday night as he captured his first win in the ARCA/ReMax Series. He has had a tough last couple of years with trying to find the right combination of people and equipment in the NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. I remember having a feeling of accomplishment although I did not have much success as others would classify success. I guess what I am getting at is I am sure Brent has learned a lot. There were things that I remember learning that I took with me to the ARCA ReMax Series that help me when I settled in with people that wanted me around.

The race Friday at Michigan International Speedway had an exciting finish with three of ARCA’s top players in contention at the end. There were many turning points of the race but I saw the hope in everyone’s eyes light up when Burney Lamar had a tire problem late in the race. This allowed a battle between Frank Kimmel and T.J. Bell to turn into a battle for the lead with just a few laps remaining.

I am going to leave you hanging on the end of the race for now and let you know some of the other things that I thought were worth mentioning.

A.J. Hendrickson is the driver that I was spotting for in the ARCA race so I wanted to talk a little about his race. Although A.J. and his team have had fast cars in recent weeks he just can’t buy a break He started in the top 10 and made his way up to second position before having an engine malfunction. I am not sure exactly what went wrong but after losing power he had to retire his car for the day. He has run a strong race at every track that I have spotted for him and I am sure he will have some good finishes in the future.

I did not even know that T.J. Bell was driving the number 20 car in the ARCA race. T.J. has been on the verge of breaking through for his first ARCA/ReMax Series race despite not being able to compete in all of the races. If he stays in the 20 car with Jeff McClure calling the shots he will get that first win soon. They have worked together in the past and really seem to have good chemistry.

Frank Kimmel was going for the win! I know he is 7 time champion and all of that but he looked like he was going for his first win. Some people told me they thought Frank should have just settled in and come home with the points lead. My opinion is that Frank and his team know how to win the ARCA/ReMax Series championship and that is by winning races. As he entered the corner, on the inside of T.J., his car just did not get air on the rear spoiler. He lost the grip that he needed and slid up into T.J. Bell. This ruined both of their days. Frank is tied for the points lead but he has the Springfield mile on the table today and he is hard to beat on the dirt.

T.J. Bell and Frank Kimmel enter turn three side by side with just a few laps remaining. Frank gets loose inside of T.J. and they both have their day ruined. Behind them comes a ready and waiting Brent Sherman. Sherman takes the lead coming to the checkered, but wait, it is not over yet. The race will have one more restart. I know Brent did not want to restart the race again. You just never know what is going to happen on the restarts when you have everyone right up on your bumper for a one lap shootout. Luckily, the car restarting behind Brent was T.J. Bell and as soon as the green and white flew T.J. had a tire go down, stacking up other competitors and giving Brent some breathing room to make it home to the checkered flag.

I know Frank, T.J., and several others were probably upset with themselves and each other but I think the win by Sherman is a popular one with many in the ARCA/ReMax Series garage. He has been a steady competitor in that series for several years now.

We all have our own opinions about whether Brent got lucky but I remember my first ARCA win in Kansas was surrounded by the same type of thing. Frank had engine problems and Ryan Newman had tire problems but as I remember it, I got the trophy.

Brent Sherman and his team were in position to win at the end. I hope to see he and Lee Leslie, his crew chief have more success as they rekindle there race team.