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Chili Bowl Early Entries Released at 126 & Counting!
by: Lonnie Wheatley
TULSA, Okla. (December 9, 2011) – The days are ticking away to the biggest
racing event of the year, and with that the first glimpse of the entry list
for the upcoming 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals is
now available for all to see.
The current count
for the annual extravaganza at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway on
January 10-14, 2012, stands at 126 with entries already representing 25
states from coast to coast as well as Australia, Finland and New Zealand.
The current list of
entries for the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals is
available at
www.chilibowl.com/2012chilibowlentries.asp.
Driver entry is just $150 if filed by December 15, with entries submitted
after the pre-entry deadline at $200.
Among the early
crop of entries is two-time and defending Chili Bowl champion Kevin Swindell
and five-time event winner Sammy Swindell along with other past winners
including Damion Gardner, Tracy Hines and Cory Kruseman.
Initially a
two-day event that attracted approximately 50 cars in 1987, the entry count
topped the century mark in 1994 and then surged past 200 for the first time
in 2003. Last year, a total of 256 competitors took part in the Chili Bowl
for the second year in a row after a record number of 281 in 2009.
Kevin Swindell
became the 17th different winner in Chili Bowl history in January
2010 and then became the first back-to-back winner in event history last
January, joining Sammy Swindell, Tony Stewart, Cory Kruseman and Dan Boorse
as the only drivers to claim multiple Chili Bowl triumphs since Rich Vogler
won the inaugural event in 1987.
After a practice
session on Monday, January 9, the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili
Bowl Nationals kicks off one night later with the first of four qualifying
nights. Tuesday's Warren CAT Qualifier will also include the Fourth Annual
Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions, featuring past event
winners and other top Chili Bowl contenders squaring off in a special
feature race.
Action continues
with Wednesday’s River Spirit Casino Qualifier, Thursday’s Suburban
Chevrolet Qualifier and then Friday’s Vacuworx International Qualifier.
The top three
finishers from each of the Qualifying Night features will automatically lock
into the Saturday night, January 14, Lucas Oil Chili Bowl championship
feature, with the balance of Saturday's Lucas Oil championship feature
events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes.
A limited number of
reserved seats remain for Tuesday night's Warren CAT Qualifying event and
Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions for just $43 apiece.
Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Additional
information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available
at
http://www.chilibowl.com/.
Lucas Oil Chili
Bowl Nationals Pre-Entry Stats:
Most Chili Bowls
Competed In (Among Pre-Entered Drivers):
Sammy Swindell 21,
Tracy Hines 15, Jason Leffler 15, J.J. Yeley 15, Dave Darland 14, Cory
Kruseman 14, Joe Boyles 13, A.J. Fike 13, Tim Siner 13, Matt Westfall 13,
Bud Kaeding 11, Floyd Alvis 10, Josh Ford 10, Shane Hollingsworth 10, Thomas
Meseraull 10, Don Droud, Jr. 9, Damion Gardner 9, Gary Taylor 9, Daryn
Pittman 9, Travis Berryhill 8, Brad Loyet 8, Doug McCune 8, Todd McVay 8,
Jon Stanbrough 8.
Chili Bowl
Championship Feature Starts (Among Pre-Entered Drivers):
Sammy Swindell 18, Dave Darland 12, Tracy Hines 11, Jason Leffler 11, Cory
Kruseman 10, Jon Stanbrough 6, J.J. Yeley 6, Matt Westfall 5, Damion Gardner
4, Cole Whitt 4, Joe Boyles 3, Donnie Ray Crawford 3, Josh Ford 3, Bud
Kaeding 3, Brad Loyet 3, Thomas Meseraull 3, Michael Pickens 3, Daryn
Pittman 3, Kevin Swindell 3, Chris Windom 3, Bryan Clauson 2, Don Droud, Jr.
2, Jac Haudenschild 2, Brady Bacon 1, Jonathan Beason 1, Zach Daum 1, A.J.
Fike 1, Darren Hagen 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Kyle Larson 1, Brad Mosen 1,
Gary Taylor 1.
Lucas Oil Chili
Bowl Nationals Quick Facts:
What:
26th
Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where:
Tulsa Expo Raceway
– ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When:
January 10-14, 2011
Tuesday – Warren
CAT Qualifying Night plus Vacuworx Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday – River
Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Suburban
Chevrolet Qualifying Night
Friday – Vacuworx
International Qualifying Night
Saturday – Lucas
Oil Championship Feature Events
The five nights of
racing action will be preceded by a practice session on Monday, January 9.
Past Winners:
Kevin
Swindell (2010 and 2011), Sammy Swindell (2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989),
Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Tim McCreadie (2006),
Tracy Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and
1999), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy
Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon
Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Trade Show:
Always a
popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show,
which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday) free of
charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with
well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000
square feet.
Tickets:
A limited
number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Warren CAT Qualifying Event and
the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions are
available for $43 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or
at the gate if still available. Pit passes for all five nights are
available at the gate as well.
Chili Bowl on the
Net:
All official news pertaining to the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili
Bowl Midget Nationals, including official entry lists, race results and
recaps, is available first at
www.chilibowl.com. Also, all five
nights of the Chili Bowl Nationals will be broadcast live (audio) on
www.racinboys.com.
Additional
information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available
at
http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by
calling 918-838-3777.
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