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24th Chili Bowl just weeks away
By: Lonnie Wheatley
KANSAS CITY, MO (December 2) - Worse yet, at least for those many afflicted
with that incurable passion for auto racing, the soothing sounds of
radically souped-up engines screaming beyond comprehensible rev limits are
few and far between, virtually silent for the time being in anticipation of
the eventual whoosh of Santa's reindeer-powered sleigh.
There is an upside to the temporary silence of dirt tracks around the
country though, as the Holiday season doesn't truly conclude until the final
checkered flag has flown upon the best of America's Bowl events. It means
that the premier auto racing event of the year, Tulsa, Oklahoma's Chili Bowl
Midget Nationals, is little more than a month away.
Closing in on that quarter of a century mark, the 24th edition of the Lucas
Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is slated for January 12-16, 2010, at the
QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds.
A tradition that started humbly enough as a two-day show that attracted 52
competitors and perhaps a handful or two more than 52 spectators in 1987 has
evolved, if not mushroomed, into a worldwide showcase event that draws
nearly 300 competitors and packs the spacious QuikTrip Center full of
frenzied fans from around the world for five straight nights after a Monday
afternoon practice session that whets the appetites of the most dedicated
Chili Bowlers.
Competing in the ranks of the mighty Midget race cars atop the ¼-mile clay
oval annually are drivers from all variety of motorsports disciplines,
including Sprint Cars, Midgets, Dirt Late Models, DIRT Modifieds, NHRA Drag
Racing and even NASCAR.
Drivers come from far and wide, comprising a truly international field that
will include at least one Aussie and a pair of Kiwis from New Zealand in
2010.
It annually sets up perhaps one of the most challenging, competitive events
in all of sports. What other major sporting event hasn't had a back-to-back
winner in its 23 previous renditions?
In 23 previous editions of the Chili Bowl Nationals, snaring that coveted
Golden Driller winner's trophy on back-to-back occasions has proven a
difficult task. So difficult in fact, that there has not yet been a
back-to-back Chili Bowl champion.
That's something that Tennessee's Sammy Swindell will try to change in
January. And, if anyone can pull off the repeat, Slammin' Sammy could be
just the guy.
After all, few can boast the past Chili Bowl success that Swindell can.
Actually, nobody can, as no other driver has accumulated five Golden
Drillers.
After reaching the top step of the podium in 1989's Third Annual Chili Bowl,
Swindell added on wins in 1992, 1996 and 1998 before waiting eleven years to
add an unprecedented fifth Chili Bowl to kick off the 2009 racing season.
Care for some perspective? While Sammy has five Chili Bowl wins, the only
other drives to score multiple wins include NASCAR star Tony Stewart,
California's Cory Kruseman and Wisconsin's Dan Boorse. And they've won it
just two times apiece, with another elite dozen drivers reveling in Chili
Bowl glory on one occasion.
Those other twelve past Chili Bowl champions include Damion Gardner, Tim
McCreadie, Tracy Hines, Jay Drake, Billy Boat, Donnie Beechler, Andy
Hillenburg, Dave Blaney, Lealand McSpadden, Jon Heydenreich, Scott Hatton
and inaugural race winner Rich Vogler.
After an event record 281 competitors took part in the 2009 edition of the
Chili Bowl, the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals kicks off with a
Monday, January 11, practice session. Four full nights of qualifying action
follow on Tuesday through Friday, January 12-15, setting the grid for the
Saturday, January 16, Chili Bowl Championship feature events.
While all four qualifying nights will include full cards of heat races,
qualifying races and feature events, the Tuesday night, January 12, card
will also include the Second Annual Chili Bowl Race of Champions.
The top three finishers from the Qualifying Night features will
automatically lock into the Saturday night, January 16, 50-lap Chili Bowl
championship feature with the balance of Saturday's championship feature
events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes.
A limited number of reserved seats remain for Tuesday night's Qualifying
event and Race of Champions for just $26 apiece. Tickets may be obtained by
calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Only pit passes remain for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
is available at www.chilibowl.com .
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