DANA KIMMEL

Age:	46
Place of Residence:	Puyallup, Washington
Position:	Upper Engine Specialist

Dana began his drag racing career in the early seventies with his own Super Stock winning the division 6-year-end title in 1979. His first full-time race position was with Jerry Ruth in 1976. Starting at the bottom, he eventually learned all aspects of nitro racing and experienced his first nation event win at Pomona in 1977.

After leaving Ruth in 1979, he took a position with Mardy Maltia's Funny Car team, which gave him the opportunity to work on engine and cylinder head development (dyno testing) with the late John Eike.

With a move to Don Prudhomme's team in 1987, he got the chance to tour nationally and work on the development of the fuel systems, the engine, and the drive train. The team made a lot of improvements and learned a lot, thanks to the input of Jim Stewart, who has proved to be invaluable throughout Dana's racing career. The team dominated the '89 U.S. Nationals, winning the race and the Big Bud Shootout. The set the elapsed time record twice and finished the year with a total of 10 wins.

In 1991, Dana accepted a position to join up with Gary Ormsby's team, but Gary's untimely death was a very sad experience and the team was sold to Walt Austin. The only bright spot that year were the two wins and a runner-up spot with Pat Austin at the wheel starting at the Nationals in Indianapolis. The team added Darren Capps and Dick Venables for the '92 season. Together they won two more races and set both ends of the national record.

For the chance to work alongside of John Medlin, he returned to Prudhomme's team for the '93 season, and then moved to Bob Vandergriff to help him get licensed for Top Fuel.

Dana is currently a Dispatch Supervisor with Supervalu Inc., the nation's largest grocery supplier, but stated, "I am looking forward to the opportunity to go racing with a team I've respected and admired over the years. Evaluating the talented crew Shirley has assembled, they bring to the table a wealth of experience. With those kinds of assets we can make a serious run at the championships."