Jason Kitzmiller Eyes Madison ARCA Debut with Momentum, Aiming for Another Top-10 Finish

Jason Kitzmiller and his A.L.L. Construction Racing team are set to compete at Madison International Speedway in Wisconsin this Friday night during the Badger 200, as the 2025 ARCA Menards Series approaches its final short-track races. Riding a wave of momentum from a top-10 finish in the Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Kitzmiller aims to maintain his strong form on the half-mile dirt oval.

The Petersburg, West Virginia native and his crew are looking to capitalize on this momentum as they pursue another solid result in one of the remaining four short-track events in the season’s stretch run. This race follows a grueling schedule and intense competition where every point counts toward the championship.

Turning Around Recent Setbacks with Determination at Springfield

Kitzmiller entered the Allen Crowe 100 at Springfield determined to recover from a disappointing finish at Watkins Glen International in New York. At Watkins Glen, a challenge late in the General Tire 100 cost him a top-10 result on the road course. Compounded by weather delays, Kitzmiller did not get to practice or qualify, forcing him to face the unique one-mile dirt track for the first time under race conditions.

Despite these challenges, Kitzmiller adapted quickly once the race began, keeping his No. 97 car well within the top-10 for much of the event. A late mechanical issue almost ended his day prematurely, but swift work from the crew allowed him to get back on track and regain ground. He ultimately secured his 14th top-10 finish of the season, demonstrating resilience and the ability to overcome adversity.

Jason Kitzmiller
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Insight Into Madison International Speedway’s Challenges and Opportunities

Returning to a half-mile dirt track, Kitzmiller welcomes the challenge Madison International Speedway presents. Known for tight corners and rhythm-based racing, Madison demands patience and precision from drivers to succeed. Having never competed at Madison before, Kitzmiller is eager to learn the nuances of this legendary venue and believes it suits his and his team’s methodical approach.

I’m excited to make my first start at Madison,

Kitzmiller said.

Anytime you go to a new short track there’s a lot to learn, but I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of adapting quickly.

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.

Leveraging Veteran Experience from Crew Chief Frank Kimmel

One of Kitzmiller’s greatest assets at Madison is the guidance of crew chief Frank Kimmel, a 10-time ARCA champion with extensive knowledge of this track. Kimmel has both driven and crew-chiefed in multiple races at Madison, including several top finishes as a driver and a sixth-place result as a crew chief in 2018 with Natalie Decker behind the wheel. Although Kitzmiller has not raced here before, Kimmel’s experience is expected to be a vital factor in quickly adapting to the unique demands of the speedway.

Having Frank on the box gives me a lot of confidence going into Madison,

Kitzmiller explained.

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.

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.

Maintaining Consistency During a Demanding Season Stretch

Kitzmiller and the A.L.L. Construction Racing team are racing in the sixth event of a rigorous seven-race sequence, stretching their endurance and resources. Throughout these challenges, the team has remained committed to their goal of completing the full 20-race ARCA Menards Series schedule. Their efforts have resulted in a consistent top-10 finish average since mid-July, highlighting their competitive resilience and reliability in a demanding field.

We’ve been really happy with the way our team has performed during this grueling stretch,

Kitzmiller reflected.

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.

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.

Key Partnerships Powering the No. 97 Chevrolet

For the Badger 200 at Madison, the team continues to benefit from the steadfast support of Carter Machinery, marking its 15th race as the primary partner on Kitzmiller’s No. 97 Chevrolet SS this season. Carter Machinery is a well-established organization with roots dating back to 1928, originally serving Virginia and southeastern West Virginia. Since then, it has expanded across the Mid-Atlantic region, now operating over 30 locations and offering a full range of Caterpillar equipment, engines, and electric power systems.

It means a lot to have the continued support of Carter Machinery and the Cat® brand on our No. 97 Chevrolet,

Kitzmiller noted.

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.

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.

In addition to Carter Machinery, other associate marketing partners backing the team for this ninth ARCA national race at Madison 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 Madison

At age 52, Jason Kitzmiller currently ranks fourth in the ARCA Menards Series points standings, trailing third-place contender Lawless Alan by 76 points and leader Brenden Queen by 117 points, with six races remaining. Meanwhile, his team sits seventh in the owner championship standings.

Since his debut in 2020, Kitzmiller has started 41 ARCA Menards Series races and earned two top-five and 18 top-10 finishes. His career-best result came in February 2025 with a third-place finish at Daytona International Speedway, underscoring his capability to compete at the highest level across diverse track types.

Upcoming Race Schedule and Broadcast Details for the Badger 200

The 200-lap (100-mile) Badger 200 marks the 15th race of 20 on the 2025 ARCA Menards Series calendar. On Friday, August 22, teams will begin with a 45-minute practice session from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, followed by General Tire Pole Qualifying at 5:15 p.m. The green flag is scheduled to wave shortly after 8:00 p.m. CT (9:00 p.m. ET). Fans can watch the race live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), while ARCARacing.com will provide live timing and scoring throughout the event.

With his team’s confidence bolstered by recent results, Jason Kitzmiller’s campaign at Madison International Speedway promises to build upon his growing ARCA momentum, setting the stage for a determined push through the closing stages of the 2025 season.