From 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.