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Chili Bowl Entry Count Closes in on 200!
by: Lonnie Wheatley
TULSA, Okla. (Dec 10, 2008) With the December 15 pre-entry
deadline rapidly approaching, the entry count for the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil
Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire is nearing the 200 mark as of
the close of business on Wednesday.
Thus far, 189 entries representing 29 different states as well as Canada
have been filed for the event that is set to take place at the QuikTrip
Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway on January 13-17, 2009.
Among the group of entries that has been filed over the early portion of the
week are nine past Chili Bowl championship main event starters, including
Tulsa-area hotshoe Brady Bacon.
Bacon is part of the three-car Tel-Star Communications team that also
includes Washington-native Gary Taylor and Donnie Ray Crawford, who finished
fifth as a Chili Bowl rookie in 2007. For Bacon, it marks a reunion with
Mike and Megan Eubanks, who fielded the entry for Bacon's Chili Bowl rookie
effort as a 14-year-old in 2005.
In addition to Bacon and Crawford, other past Chili Bowl championship
feature starters to file entries this week include Oklahoma's Shane Carson,
Nebraska's Don Droud, Jr., Wisconsin's Chad DeSelle, Arizona's Nathan High,
Tennessee's Paul McMahan, Illinois' Kevin Olson and Texas' Paul White.
Also, Illinois shoe Mat Neely was named the driver of the Scooter Ellis No.
73x previously listed as a TBA, filling out a team that includes 19-year-old
Samantha Taylor, a top-five finisher in 2008 ASCS Rebel Region points, and
Chili Bowl rookie contenders Tanner Mullens and Austin Wheatley. Neely
finished tenth in the 2007 edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals.
Included among the latest rookies is Washington Sprint Car shoe Brock Lemley,
who joins a rookie crop that currently numbers 36. Some other notable rookie
contenders thus far include two-time All Star Sprint Car champion Greg
Wilson, BCRA Midget champion Nick Foster, Jr., USAC Western States Midget
champion Nic Faas, and Posse Sprint Car shoes Cody Darrah and Aaron Ott
among others.
New York lady racer Jessica Zemken has also joined the Chili Bowl field. Set
for her third Chili Bowl, Jessica runs the number of female competitors to
seven as she joins previous event competitors Shannon McQueen, Michelle
Decker, Randi Pankratz and Samantha Taylor along with rookie shoes Julee
Jamison and Jennifer Greenberg.
The 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
kicks off Tuesday night, January 13, with the first of four qualifying
nights. Tuesday's card will also include the Chili Bowl Race of Champions,
featuring past event winners and other top Chili Bowl contenders squaring
off in a special feature race.
The top three finishers from the Qualifying Night features will
automatically lock into the Saturday night, January 17, Chili Bowl
championship feature, with the balance of Saturday's Bass Pro Shops
championship feature events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes.
Originally a two-day event that attracted 52 entries in 1987, the Lucas Oil
Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire has evolved into a
five-night extravaganza of indoor, dirt track midget racing, and ranks among
the worlds most prestigious auto racing events with the 2008 edition of the
event attracting a record number of 274 competitors.
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, as
those tickets were depleted in May.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
presented by General Tire is available at
http://www.chilibowl.com/ .
Additional Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire Information:
What: 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General
Tire
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway Ό-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at
the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When:
January 13-17, 2009
Tuesday Qualifying Night plus Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Friday Qualifying Night
Saturday Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday Feature Events
Past Winners: Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Sammy
Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan
Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), 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: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 23rd
Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire were
depleted by the end of May. A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday
night's Qualifying Event and Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for
$26 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate.
Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Chili Bowl on TV: Portions of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals presented by General Tire will be broadcast on SPEED TV on a
one-week tape-delayed basis on Saturday night, January 24. Additional
details will be available soon.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
presented by General Tire is available at
http://www.chilibowl.com/ or
by calling 918-838-3777.
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