Jason Kitzmiller and his A.L.L. Construction Racing team are gearing up for a crucial race this Friday night at Madison International Speedway in Wisconsin. With four <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/motorsports/nascar/arca-menards-series/”>ARCA Menards Series short-track events left on the 2025 calendar, Kitzmiller aims to capitalize on recent successes to push his campaign forward during the season’s final stretch.
The Petersburg, West Virginia native arrives at Madison following a hard-fought top-10 finish in the Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Despite battling electrical difficulties during the dirt track race, Kitzmiller and his family-owned team persevered to deliver a strong performance in their first dirt event of the year.
Adapting Quickly After Weather Challenges at Springfield
At Springfield, Illinois, where persistent morning rain wiped out both practice and qualifying sessions, Kitzmiller faced his first true test on a one-mile dirt oval without much preparation. Despite these setbacks, he adapted to the conditions once the race began, maintaining his No. 97 car within the top-10 for a large part of the event.
A late mechanical problem threatened to end the race prematurely, but swift action by the crew allowed him to return to the track, where he gained more positions before the finish, marking his 14th ARCA top-10 result this season.
Targeting Strong Performance on a Familiar Half-Mile Circuit
Now back on a more familiar surface, Kitzmiller looks to build on his momentum at the storied Madison International Speedway, a challenging half-mile track known for its tight turns and rhythm-dependent racing style. The veteran driver hopes to secure his sixth top-10 finish on a short track this year under the Friday night lights.
Kitzmiller expressed enthusiasm about his first start at Madison, stating,
“I’m excited to make my first start at Madison, Anytime you go to a new short track there’s a lot to learn, but I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of adapting quickly.”
—Jason Kitzmiller
He acknowledged the demanding nature of Madison as a technical venue, adding,
“Madison has a reputation as a tough, technical place, and I’m looking forward to seeing how our A.L.L. Construction Racing Ford stacks up. If we can get comfortable early and keep making gains, I think we’ll have a chance to put together another solid finish.”
—Jason Kitzmiller
Leaning on Veteran Crew Chief Frank Kimmel’s Expertise
Kitzmiller continues to rely on the seasoned experience of crew chief Frank Kimmel, a 10-time ARCA champion with deep knowledge of Madison International Speedway. Kimmel’s impressive history includes two top-five and four top-10 finishes as a driver on the half-mile oval, along with notable success calling the race from the pit box.
Though Kitzmiller has not raced there in six years, he feels confident that Kimmel’s insight will give him an edge. Reflecting on this partnership, he shared,
“Having Frank on the box gives me a lot of confidence going into Madison, Even though it’s my first time there, he’s been around the place as both a driver and a crew chief and knows what it takes to be competitive.”
—Jason Kitzmiller
He continued,
“That kind of knowledge is huge for me, and I’m looking forward to leaning on his experience to help us get up to speed quickly and hopefully put together another strong run.”
—Jason Kitzmiller
Facing a Demanding Season with Determination
As the ARCA Menards Series pushes through a demanding seven-race stretch, smaller teams like A.L.L. Construction Racing are tested to their limits. Nevertheless, Kitzmiller and his crew have delivered remarkably consistent results, maintaining an average top-10 finish since mid-July as they strive to complete the full 20-race schedule.
Their main focus remains on sustaining this positive momentum leading into the season’s final six races, starting with Bristol Motor Speedway in September. Kitzmiller highlighted the team’s resilience by saying,
“We’ve been really happy with the way our team has performed during this grueling stretch, It hasn’t been easy running week after week, but our guys have continued to dig in and give me a fast car every race.”
—Jason Kitzmiller
He emphasized their hunger for improvement, adding,
“At the same time, we’re never completely satisfied — we’re always looking for more speed and better finishes. That mindset keeps us motivated, and it’s what we’ll lean on to help us tackle the races still ahead on the schedule.”
—Jason Kitzmiller
Strong Manufacturer and Sponsor Support Bolsters Efforts
For the Madison race, Kitzmiller’s No. 97 Chevrolet SS will continue to feature primary sponsorship from Carter Machinery, marking the company’s 15th event as the leading partner this season. Carter Machinery is a highly regarded Caterpillar dealer with deep roots in Virginia and West Virginia, now operating more than 30 locations across the Mid-Atlantic region.
The company supports a full range of Cat® equipment and services, enhancing customer success through a broad rental fleet, extensive parts availability, and expert service teams. This partnership holds particular significance in the Midwest, where agriculture and heavy machinery play integral roles in daily life.
Kitzmiller expressed gratitude for this long-standing collaboration, stating,
“It means a lot to have the continued support of Carter Machinery and the Cat® brand on our No. 97 Chevrolet, Being in the Midwest this weekend, where farming and machinery are such a big part of everyday life, it feels even more special from a partnership standpoint.”
—Jason Kitzmiller
He added,
“They’ve been with us every step of the way this season, and we’re proud to represent such an iconic brand as we look to deliver another strong run at Madison.”
—Jason Kitzmiller
In addition to Carter Machinery, associate marketing partners for the Madison event include A.L.L. Construction Inc., Grant County Mulch, A&J Excavating, Cobra Mining, Champion Power Equipment, and Volt Battery Technology, all supporting the No. 97 team’s efforts in their ninth national ARCA race at the Wisconsin track.
Current Standings and Career Highlights Fuel Ambitions
At 52 years old, Kitzmiller currently holds fourth place in the ARCA Menards Series driver standings, trailing third-place Lawless Alan by 76 points and leader Brenden Queen by 117 points, with six races remaining on the schedule. His team keeps a strong position as well, sitting seventh in the championship owner rankings.
Since debuting in 2020, Kitzmiller has competed in 41 ARCA Menards Series races, collecting 18 top-10 finishes and two top-five results, including a career-best third-place run at Daytona International Speedway earlier this year in February 2025.
Race Weekend Schedule and Broadcast Information
The upcoming Badger 200 event consists of 200 laps covering 100 miles, marking the 15th race in the 20-race ARCA Menards Series 2025 season. On Friday, August 22, drivers will begin with a 45-minute practice session from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time.
Qualifying for the General Tire Pole will follow at 5:15 p.m., with the race start set for approximately 8:00 p.m. Central Time (9:00 p.m. Eastern). Fans can watch the race live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), while ARCARacing.com will provide live timing and scoring throughout the day’s activities.