By Meredith Burns
Brownsburg, Indiana (January 4, 2012) — Nine Racing, Inc. is pleased to announce the signing of three excellent drivers for the 26th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Presented by General Tire midget event that will take place January 10–14, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Drivers Billy Wease, Kyle Steffens and Levi Roberts will race the pearl white midgets around the indoor, quarter-mile dirt track in front of more than 15,000 race fans.
Billy Wease, of Noblesville, Indiana, last participated in the Chili Bowl Nationals in 2008, and made it all the way to the ‘A’ Main event. He’ll drive the #19 of Nine Racing at this year’s event. “I am excited to be a part of the Nine Racing Chili Bowl team and look forward to getting back to racing with the nation’s best midget drivers,” said Billy Wease. “I know Glenn Martin will give me a car that I can race hard and I look forward to doing everything I can to again make the ‘A’ Main on Saturday night.” Billy’s sponsors for the Chili Bowl are Ed Pink Racing Engines, and Adams & Mehling Accounting, Inc. of Indiana.
St. Charles, Missouri’s Kyle Steffens is making a return engagement to the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, but this will be his first time driving a Nine Racing midget, and will compete in the #91. Kyle is an accomplished driver and has participated in a variety of racing endeavors, which include Legend cars, UMP Modifieds, World of Outlaws Late Models, USAC Silver Crown, and ASA asphalt Late Models. “It feels great to be a part of the Nine Racing Chili Bowl program and I very much look forward to working with the team,” exclaimed Kyle Steffens. “We will do whatever it takes to get the job done. The Chili Bowl is a special event and I look forward to racing with the best in midget racing.” Kyle is sponsored by Performance Plus Global Logistics.
The third member of the Nine Racing Chili Bowl effort is Broomfield, Colorado’s Levi Roberts, who will pilot the #9. Levi ran a varied schedule this past year in USAC National Pavement and Dirt Midget events, in addition to a number of races in the POWRi series. Levi has been fast both on pavement and dirt and has demonstrated the desire and ability to record an excellent finish this year at the Chili Bowl. “Glenn and I have worked well together this past season and I am pleased to be a part of the Nine Racing program for the 2012 Chili Bowl race. It is going to be fun,” added Levi Roberts. Levi’s sponsor for the Chili Bowl is Majestic Metals.
“We are very pleased to have this strong lineup of midget drivers in our Nine Racing midgets for the 26th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals,” said Steve Lewis, Nine Racing team owner. “Each driver brings something special to the team and I look forward to working with them. We will give each driver the opportunity to do well at this very competitive midget race. It is always fun to go to Tulsa to see the best in midget racing compete, along with the packed grandstands and all of the activities in the pit area.”
Nine Racing’s 2012 sponsor lineup includes K&N Engineering, Eibach Springs, Weld Racing, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Penske Racing Shocks, Performance Friction Brakes, ASE, Earl’s Performance Plumbing, SSi Decals, PJ1, and Hoosier Racing Tire.