Following a difficult race at Watkins Glen International, Jason Kitzmiller and his A.L.L. Construction Racing team are preparing to make a strong comeback in Sunday’s Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Kitzmiller Springfield Dirt Rebound is the focus as the driver looks to improve his standing on a completely new racing surface.
In just his second attempt on a road course, Kitzmiller showed promising growth while competing on Watkins Glen’s 2.45-mile circuit. Before a late-race incident with seven laps to go dropped him to 17th place, the Petersburg, West Virginia racer had been on track for a top-10 finish in the General Tire 100.
With the road course event now behind him, Kitzmiller turns his attention to the Springfield Mile dirt track, where he will make his ARCA Menards Series debut on dirt and race on his ninth different track of the season.
Adjusting to the Unique Challenge of Dirt Racing at Springfield
Racing the one-mile dirt oval at the Illinois State Fairgrounds presents unfamiliar challenges for Kitzmiller, but he is eager to embrace the learning process. The team aims to quickly adapt and vie for a top-10 finish.
Watkins Glen was definitely another step forward for me on road courses,
said Kitzmiller.
We had good speed all weekend and I felt like I was getting more comfortable every lap, but sometimes things just don’t go your way.
—Jason Kitzmiller, Driver
Now we’ve got a whole new challenge ahead of us with Springfield. I’ve never raced on dirt before, but I’m excited to learn, have some fun with it, and hopefully put ourselves back in the top 10.
—Jason Kitzmiller, Driver
Expert Guidance from Veteran Frank Kimmel Boosts Confidence
Kitzmiller will benefit from the expertise of crew chief Frank Kimmel, a 10-time ARCA Menards Series champion with extensive history at Springfield. Kimmel competed at the Illinois State Fairgrounds for 24 consecutive years between 1992 and 2015, amassing five poles, eight wins, and an average finish of 7.3. His deep knowledge of the dirt track will be a vital asset for Kitzmiller’s debut.
Along with this support, the upcoming experience will help Kitzmiller prepare for the final dirt race of the season at DuQuoin State Fairgrounds on August 31.
Having Frank in my corner for Springfield is huge,
Kitzmiller shared.
He’s been there, done that, and had a lot of success at the track — including winning four races in a row — so I know I’ll be able to lean on his knowledge all weekend.
—Jason Kitzmiller, Driver
I’ve never raced on dirt before, so having someone with his experience guiding me is a big confidence booster. Our goal is to learn as much as we can, stay out of trouble, and be in position for a strong finish when it counts.
—Jason Kitzmiller, Driver
Small Team Determination During a Grueling Season Stretch
The ARCA Menards Series is in the fifth race of a demanding seven-race stretch, which tests the endurance and resources of smaller teams like A.L.L. Construction Racing. Despite these challenges, Kitzmiller’s team has maintained a top-10 average finish since mid-July.
As the season progresses toward its crucial final segment, the crew is focused on consistency and equipment preservation to stay competitive.
It’s definitely a grind for a small team like ours,
Kitzmiller said.
But over the past month, we’ve shown we can run with some of the best in the series.
—Jason Kitzmiller, Driver
If we keep doing the little things right, stay consistent, and take care of our equipment, we’ll put ourselves in great shape for the next couple of weeks and be ready for the final stretch of the season.
—Jason Kitzmiller, Driver
Strong Partner Support from Carter Machinery and Others
For the Springfield event, the No. 97 Chevrolet SS driven by Kitzmiller will again carry the primary sponsorship of Carter Machinery, featuring the Caterpillar® brand for the 14th consecutive race of the season. Beginning in 1928, Carter Machinery grew from serving Virginia and southeastern West Virginia to operating over 30 locations across the Mid-Atlantic region, including Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Their commitment to providing reliable equipment and top-tier support parallels the demands of dirt racing, a comparison Kitzmiller recognizes.
Racing on dirt is all about having the right tools and adapting to the surface, and that’s exactly what Caterpillar and Carter Machinery are all about,
Kitzmiller noted.
Just like on a construction site, you’ve got to have equipment you can count on to get the job done. Our team is grateful for their support all year long, but especially this weekend as we take on the dirt at Springfield and work to build a strong finish for our team.
—Jason Kitzmiller, Driver
Additional associate marketing partners for this race include A.L.L. Construction Inc., Grant County Mulch, A&J Excavating, Cobra Mining, Champion Power Equipment, and Volt Battery Technology.
Championship Standings and Career Highlights Heading into Springfield
Approaching the 14th race of the 20-event 2025 ARCA Menards Series schedule, Kitzmiller holds fourth place in the driver championship standings. He trails third-place Lavar Scott by 75 points and the leader Brenden Queen by 110 points, with seven races left in the season.
The A.L.L. Construction Racing team also maintains a strong seventh position in the owner championship standings. Since 2020, Kitzmiller has competed in 40 ARCA races, earning two top-five and 17 top-10 finishes. His career-best comes from a third-place result at Daytona International Speedway in February 2025.
Race Day Details for the Allen Crowe 100 at Illinois State Fairgrounds
The Allen Crowe 100 will cover 100 laps, equivalent to 100 miles, on the historic Springfield Mile dirt track. On Sunday, August 17, teams will begin with a half-hour practice session from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Central Time, followed by General Tire Pole Qualifying at 11:15 a.m. The race itself is scheduled to start shortly after 1:00 p.m. CT.
This event will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1, while ARCARacing.com will provide live timing and scoring updates throughout the day. All times reflect local Central Time.