From Lonnie Wheatley, David Cochran Photo
TULSA, Okla. (December 23, 2010) – It’s getting closer. Yes, that celebration of a quarter-century of world class auto racing at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway is just around the corner as the 25th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals brings the City of Tulsa to life for a full week with racing action on January 11-15, 2011.
And with 258 entries from 29 different states as well as Australia and New Zealand prepping for the annual pilgrimage to Tulsa’s QuikTrip Center, the qualifying night assignments for the Silver edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals have been determined.
The star-studded field has been quartered and distributed among the four Qualifying nights running from Tuesday through Friday. The top three finishers from each night’s main event will be locked into the Saturday night, January 15, 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event with the balance of Saturday’s lineups determined by qualifying night finishing positions.
A glance at each night’s qualifying lineups is as follows:
Tuesday, January 11 – Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Two-time and reigning National Midget Driver of the Year Bryan Clauson, Midget master Brad Kuhn, Kiwi Michael Pickens, Okie hopeful Brady Bacon, NASCAR Nationwide Rookie of the Year Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and Indiana wingless ace Jon Stanbrough headline a rugged Tuesday night lineup.
In addition to 65 or so drivers officially christening the Chili Bowl clay inside the QuikTrip Center, the Vacuworx Race of Champions is also included on Tuesday night’s card.
Past Feature Starters (17): Brad Kuhn (5), Jon Stanbrough (5), Matt Westfall (5), Joe Boyles (3), Mike Hess (3), Michael Pickens (2), Josh Wise (2), Brady Bacon (1), Brent Beauchamp (1), Chad Boat (1), Bryan Clauson (1), Ryan Durst (1), Dean Franklin (1), Mike Goodman (1), Kyle Larson (1), Tony Roney (1), Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (1).
2010 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Brent Beauchamp, Chad Boat, Mike Hess, Brad Kuhn, Kyle Larson, Michael Pickens, Tony Roney.
Rookies (13): Dustin Arnall, Christopher Bell, Britton Bock, Orval Zane Burke, Kyle Chady, Mario Clouser, Jr., Mike Daniels, Chris Gurley, Cameron Hagin, Cory Mallo, Evan Margeson, Chris Shields, Bill Stines,
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Jackie Burke 13, Dean Franklin 13, Joe Boyles 12, Mike Hess 12, Nick O’Neal 12, Matt Westfall 12.
Tuesday’s Entries: http://www.chilibowl.com/2011qualtuesday.asp
Also, Tuesday’s Chili Bowl Race of Champions information is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/2011roc.asp.
Wednesday, January 12 – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Past winners Tracy Hines, Damion Gardner and Scott Hatton dot the Wednesday night field as the likes of 2010 runner-up Cole Whitt, J.J. Yeley, Bobby East, Brad Sweet, Thomas Meseraull, Gary Taylor, 2010 Tuesday winner Zach Daum and more try to position themselves for a first Golden Driller.
Past Feature Starters (15): Tracy Hines (11), Scott Hatton (8), J.J. Yeley (6), Jimmy Sills (5), Bobby East (4), Tony Elliott (4), Damion Gardner (3), Rick Hendrix (3), Cole Whitt (3), Donnie Ray Crawford (2), Thomas Meseraull (2), Daniel Adler (1), Zach Daum (1), Brad Sweet (1), Gary Taylor (1).
2010 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Daniel Adler, Zach Daum, Bobby East, Thomas Meseraull, Brad Sweet, Cole Whitt.
Rookies (12): Dalton Armstrong, Mike Baker, Jason Cox, Courtney Erfurth, Layne Himebaugh, C.J. Johnson, Seth Motsinger, Jimmy Owens, Brian Rieck, Levi Roberts, Kent Schmidt, Brandon Sheppard
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Scott Hatton 18, Dave Camfield, Jr. 16, Tracy Hines 14, J.J. Yeley 14, Tony Elliott 13, Rick Hendrix 12.
Wednesday’s Entries: http://www.chilibowl.com/2011qualwednesday.asp
Thursday, January 13
Sammy Swindell begins his bid for an unprecedented sixth Golden Driller on Thursday night, but past Chili Bowl champ Tim McCreadie along with Jerry Coons, Jr., Steve Buckwalter, Levi Jones, Jason Leffler, Casey Shuman, Josh Ford and others will make it difficult.
Past Feature Starters (17): Sammy Swindell (17), Jerry Coons, Jr. (11), Jason Leffler (10), Steve Buckwalter (4), Josh Ford (3), Tim McCreadie (3), Casey Shuman (3), Garrett Hansen (2), Wayne Johnson (2), Levi Jones (2), A.J. Fike (1), Shane Golobic (1), David Gough (1), Jonathan Hendrick (1), Shane Hollingsworth (1), Bobby Michnowicz (1), Brandon Waelti (1).
2010 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Jerry Coons, Jr., Shane Golobic, Sammy Swindell.
Rookies (12): Bud Carroll, Tyler Courtney, Brian Deegan, Mike English, Matthew Fox, Dalten Gabbard, B.J. Martin, Rowdy McClenon, Joey Price, Justin Sanders, Alex Sewell, Chris Springer.
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Sammy Swindell 20, Jason Leffler, 14, Jerry Coons, Jr., 13, A.J. Fike 12.
Thursday’s Entries: http://www.chilibowl.com/2011qualthursday.asp
Friday, January 14 – Vacuworx International Qualifying Night
Kevin Swindell kicks off his effort to become the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl history against a field that includes six-time prelim feature winner Cory Kruseman, Dave Darland, Shane Cottle, three-time Bowl Hard Charger Chris Windom, Daryn Pittman and reigning VIROC champ Brad Loyet among others.
Past Feature Starters (16): Dave Darland (11), Cory Kruseman (9), Shane Cottle (7), Jay Drake (7), Davey Ray (4), Johnny Heydenreich (3), Bud Kaeding (3), Chris Windom (3), Aaron Berryhill (2), Rich Camfield (2), Don Droud, Jr. (2), Brad Loyet (2), Daryn Pittman (2), Danny Stratton (2), Kevin Swindell (2), Paul White (1).
2010 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Shane Cottle, Cory Kruseman, Brad Loyet, Danny Stratton, Kevin Swindell, Chris Windom.
Rookies (13): Rico Abreu, Mike Boesel, Dustin Boney, Troy DeCaire, Steven Drevicki, Chris Ennis, Tyler Groenendyk, Dustin Hapka, Conner Kassik, Darren Kingston, Kevin Michnowicz, Robbie Ray, Adam Tischhauser,
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Rich Camfield 20, Johnny Heydenreich 19, Steve Newman 19, Dave Darland 13, Jay Drake 13, Cory Kruseman 13, Johnny Murdock 13, Tim Siner 12, Shane Cottle 11, Bud Kaeding 10.
Friday’s Entries: http://www.chilibowl.com/2011qualfriday.asp
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Quick Facts:
What: 25th 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 11-15, 2011
Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus Vacuworx Int’l Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Qualifying Night
Friday – Vacuworx International Qualifying Night
Saturday – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events
Past Winners: Kevin Swindell (2010), 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 Third 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 TV: Portions of the 25th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals will be broadcast on SPEED TV on a tape-delayed basis.
Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 25th 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.