Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Since I have read this on several different boards, I guess it must be true. Sprint Car driver Billy Kimmel,27, was fatally injured on the 24th lap of Sunday night's 410 feature at Williams Grove. According to reports, Kimmel's car began flipping in turns three and four before being struck by several other cars and catching fire.

This was Kimmel's first full year in 410 racing and he was the ultimate low dollar driver. Maybe some of the members of the Beerhill Gang can share some more information about Kimmel, since I know he was hugely popular with many of the fans and posters on Beer Hill.

I am just shocked. Kinda glad I chose not to attend the Grove tonight.

Kimmel is the first driver to be fatally injured at Williams Grove since Daryl Gohn in 1988.

What a terrible tragedy, I'm saddened by this and hope that Billy's family and everyone involved tonight can find some peace. Rest easy Billy.

A very tragic night to be in attendance at The Grove. Billy indeed was the one driver everyone cheered for. The motto of Run What Ya Brung couldn't have been truer in this case. He was a great guy to talk to in the pits and loved to be a racer. He had a few sponsors that were in reality friends of his who wanted to see him have success running the ever tough Central Pa circuit. Trailer Trash Chili (Gramm) was his biggest help as well as Sea Bass Chili (Kevin) that were proudly displayed on his sprinter. These were friends of his. I know the Beer Hill Gang was a supporter of Billy as well as to many others to list.

You could tell he was as proud as hell to be doing what he was doing, racing against the guys he was racing against. We had him as one of the drivers for our autograph session last year during the Natty Open Chili Cook-Off and you could tell he was enjoying every minute of it.

To all his family and friends I offer you my sincerest sympathy and I pray for each and every one of you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers for the tough days that lie ahead.

But I offer you the uplifting support of the fans, photographers, and fellow teams as we try to remember Billy .........

To Billy...you were a great racer to watch, a privlege to have met and above all you were great towards your family and friends!!!

Lap 25 is for you my friend.....the checkered flag is waiting.......

.

Skinner, very classy post. One of the most touching posts I have ever read on here. For anyone who is interested, check out www.billkimmel.com to learn more about the driver.

I never had the pleasure of watching this man race, as I have only heard of him a few times and that has been on dirtvision when the Outlaws are in the area, but this is a very sad deal.. I cringe everytime someone says anything about a bad accident, and I had tears in my eyes when I heard this tonight and I dont even no the man.. Thoughts and Prayers go out to Billy and his whole family.

We just got back from the Outlaw race at Calistoga and it is sad to hear such tragic news on a drivers death. We are sending our condolenses and prayers from Northern California to everyone who knew this young man who is the same age as me, 27. This reminds us that sprint car racing can be a dangerous sport and these drivers risk their lives everytime they get into the seat. We should honor all of them for their bravery. Godspeed Bill Kimmel.

Just got home from Hilltop (Ohio) and read this. Terrible news. Thoughts and prayers are with the Kimmel family.

Former Owner/President of FAST and Black Swamp Media
Group. Currently just another fan in the stands.

My humble prayers, from the state of Iowa, go out the the Family and people of Williams Grove.

If you sit and have a real conversation with some people from the Grove you realize they are a proud bunch, rightfully they can be. Grove drivers have a unique track to race on, and a track they know very well. If The racers there didn't have so much pride I would have no respect for them.

"God bless the soul of another Sprintcar racer lord. A man who loved to just race a car. Bless this mans family and bless the crew he had working for him. Be with the Williams Grove family too. Please protect the lives of all Drivers, Crews, Officials, Owners and Fans. Under your Hand and with every twitch of the throttle...AMEN"

-----------------------------------------------------
A healthy diet of dirt in my nachos and beer.

Rest in Peace Billy. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

I have never experienced anything quite like that, and I never care to again.  Even though I sat through every feature last night & didn't know this outcome 'til after the races, nothing has felt quite right since lap 24. 

Although I never met Billy, I feel like I've lost a friend.  My thoughts & prayers go out to Billy, his family & friends. 

_

Man, I don't know what to say. Billy was indeed a true weekend warrior. He did what he could to get to the track. He was the only one left with an open trailer pulled behind a chevy van. The true race fans understand what Billy was doing. He was living a dream that most of us will never know as fans.

My last memories of Billy will be from the Kipona Chili Cookoff in Harrisburg on Saturday as he was helping our good friend serve chili. He was fired up and into it.

I was in the process of designing a special car for him to debut at the National Open. He said, "I want a car that the kids will tell their parents, that's who I'm rooting for tonight." Now sadly I'll have to do some kind of tribute instead, with honor.

RIP Billy. Thoughts and Prayers go out to the entire Kimmel family,Billy's girlfriend and the entire racing community.

Skinner, awesome Post brother!

Very sorry to hear of such a tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kimmels and the entire Williams Grove family.

9th Annual Northern Ohio Sprint Car Show
March 18-20, 2011
Featuring the FAST sprint cars
NOSCS Hall of Fame, and much more...
At the Tiffin Mall in Tiffin, Ohio
Official home of the Hoserville Ohio Benefit Auction

RIP

Thoughts and Prayers are with the Kimmel Family.

Brian 

"TURN AROUND; MATE !"

Deepest heart-felt thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Billy Kimmel.

Rest in peace, Billy. You will be missed.

God Speed.

Link: Track issues force delay at Williams Grove

Link: Let's Learn From This...

The last two people killed in Central PA were spiked in the helmet through the top of the cage, a cage halo would have helped.

 
 
 
They don't even know how to spell sprint car 
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com

so sorry to hear this news, god bless all those touched by this tragedy and rest in peace billy.we're thnking of you all here in minnesota

Thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kimmel family during this hard time. RIP Billy.

It was an honor and a privelage to know Bill if only briefly. The backbone of Central PA Sprint Car Racing has lost one of it's best people. Props and respect to Bill. RIP. You are and will be loved.

"The Outlaws have people out here that don’t know 
anything about racing. I don’t understand how they 
come up with some of the calls they do. It makes me 
think that they just might be that stupid. It’s 
scary."     -Steve Kinser

From all the good sprint car fans in the great state of North Dakota, RIP Billy!!! WE all come on these boards and fight about this sport sometimes, but when a driver is lost doing what they love, it becomes personal. In the end, all of us that love this sport come together in a time of need. My prayers go out to Billy's family and friends. We will all be thinking of you in the coming days and weeks!!!

r.i.p from texas.thoughts and prayers are with the entire kimmel family