TULSA, Okla. (January 10, 2016) For the eighth year, the best of the best will square off in a 20 lap shootout as the Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions is set to take place on Tuesday, January 12 during the Warren Cat Qualifying Night.
A collection of 19 drivers made the cut for this year’s VIROC. An elite field of talent, the standards of qualification are being a past driver champion, driving for a past owner champion, being a past VIROC winner, or being the reigning National Midget Driver of the Year.
Drivers who will chase the $2,500 winner’s purse include:
No. 1 – Sammy Swindell (Germantown, Tenn.) The one name that has dominated the VIROC, Sammy has collected four wins in the Tuesday showdown. Making the trip to the Tulsa Expo Raceway for the 26th time, Swindell comes in chasing Golden Driller No. 6.
No. 1st – J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, Ariz.) Racing under the banner of 1996 owner champion, Jay McKinnie, Arizona’s J.J. Yeley enters his fifth VIROC. Still chasing that white rabbit, Yeley looks to make up for a DNF in the 2014 VIROC.
No. 05 – Brad Loyet (Sunset Hills, Mo.) The winner of the inaugural VIROC, Brad Loyet 2014 attempt ended with a DNF. A part of Tuesday’s overall qualifier in 2014, the driver Vacuworx No. 05 made it all worthwhile; putting his ride in the show with a runner up finish to Kyle Larson.
No. 5 – Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, Ariz.) The choice of Wilke-Pak Racing, Jerry Coons, Jr. has competed in the last three VIROC events with a record of fifth, seventh, and tenth. The most consistent man in the River Spirit Expo Center with a dozen straight Saturday A-Feature appearances, his 2016 bid is the third year for the 2005 Chili Bowl owner champions.
No. 6K – Dave Darland (Lincoln, Ind.) “The People’s Champion” will be driving for Brandon and Brad Gray for his qualifying night, but for the VIROC, he’s taking his seat to the Kruseman/Potter mount reserved for Josh Lakatos on Wednesday night.
No. 15X – Chad Boat (Phoenix, Ariz.) Still in search of a Golden Driller, Arizona’s Chad Boat makes the cut via car owner, John Lawson, who claimed his owner championship in 1997 with Billy Boat behind the wheel.
No. 21K – Cory Kruseman (Ventura, Cali.) “The Kruser” has topped the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl
Nationals twice, but is still hunting for a VIROC win. The California veteran went from fifth to third in last year’s champion’s showdown.
No. 22H – John Heydenreich (Bloomsburg, Penn.) The 1990 champion of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was the benefactor of the revenge draw in 2014, taking the No. 1 spot from Sammy Swindell. Unfortunately, John was not able to finish, but looks to better his best finish of ninth.
No. 24 – Tracy Hines (Wilkinson, Ind.) Retired, but not retired. The Chili Bowl is one event that Tracy Hines is not planning on missing anytime soon. Still looking for a VIROC win, the 2005 even champion finished eighth in 2014.
No. 39S – Kevin Thomas, Jr. (Cullman, Ala.) For the first time in a long time, the No. 39 will not be occupied by Kevin Swindell, but that doesn’t mean he’s not involved as he enters the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals for the first time as an owner for Alabama’s Kevin Thomas, Jr. Going ARCA racing in 2016, this is the first time Thomas will be a part of the VIROC field.
No. 47 – Danny Stratton (Riverside, Cali.) Andy Bondio’s pick for VIROC VIII, the two time owner champion will put Danny in for the first time in 2016.
No. 47X – Tim McCreadie (Watertown, N.Y.) Proving to be a most versatile shoe, New York’s Tim McCreadie picked up his Golden Driller in 2006 for Steve Smith, he was able to finish 11th in last year’s edition of the VIROC.
No. 63 – Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, Ind.) First joining the VIROC in 2014 on Rusty Kunz credentials, Clauson punched his own card the same year with his first Golden Driller. Hard charger in 2014, Clauson came from 12 to second in VIROC VII.
No. 67 – Tanner Thorson (Minden, Nev.) Tanner’s first trip to the VIROC, the Keith Kunz Motorsports No. 67 makes the show as the 2015 National Midget Driver of the Year. Overall, Tanner rattled off 7 wins in NMDoTY competition and topped Rico Abreu by 92 markers.
No. 67Z – Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, Wash.) The star of NASCAR takes the green in this year’s VIROC under Zarounian credentials. With brother Willie Kahne turning wrenches, Kasey’s last appearance in the VIROC was 2014 in the Lefler Memorial car.
No. 71 – Christopher Bell (Norman, Okla.) The 2014 NMDoTY joins this year’s lineup on the card punched by Keith Kunz. A master of both dirt and asphalt, Bell’s best finish in the VIROC is a third place in 2014.
No. 71G – Damion Gardner (Concord, Cali.) The driver known far and wide as “The Demon” the 2008 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Champion’s best finish came in 2014 with a runner-up to Kyle Larson.
No. 71K – Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, Cali.) The 2014 winner of the VIROC, Larson will look to get the job done again in his fifth consecutive appearance. Larson’s 2015 showing resulted in a fifth place showing.
No. 97 – Rico Abreu (Rutherford, Cali.) The choice of Keith Kunz in 2015, Rico rides in on his own ticket in 2016 as the defending champion of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. While he is piloting a Keith Kunz Motorsports entry, Rico’s 2015 VIROC attempt ended with a seventh place finish.
Vacuworx Global is the title sponsor of the VIROC which brings past Chili Bowl Champions as well as champions from around the world together for a single 20 lap race to see who is the best of the best. For more information about Vacuworx log onto www.vacuworx.com. For more information on past champions of the VIROC, log onto www.theviroc.com.
The 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire will begin moving teams in on Sunday, January 10, 2016.
Practice is scheduled for Monday, January 11 with the first night of competition getting underway with Tuesday’s Warren CAT Qualifying night as well as the seventh eighth Vacuworx Invitational
Race of Champions.
Competition continues with Wednesday’s River Spirit Casino Qualifier, Thursday’s John Christner Trucking Qualifier, and Friday Vacuworx Global Qualifier with everything culminating on Saturday’s Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Championship.
The top three in each Qualifying Night A – Feature will transfer directly into the Saturday championship event with the remainder of Saturday’s features lined up according to the Qualifying night finishes.
General Admission seating is available along the back straight-a way and can be accessed with the purchase of a Pit Pass. Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire can be found online at http://www.chilibowl.com. For more updates follow the Chili Bowl on Facebook and on Twitter.
Past VIROC Finishes:
VIROC VII: Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions 2015
1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN
63 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN
21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA
71 Christopher Bell, Norman, OK
71K Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA
39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN
97 Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA
24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN
71L Damion Gardner, Concord, CA
5 Jerry Coons Jr, Tucson, AZ
47X Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY
6K Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Olive Branch, MS
5 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO
1ST J.J. Yeley, Charlotte, NC
15X Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ
22 John Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA
VIROC VI: Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions 2014
71K Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA
47 Damion Gardner, Concord, CA
97 Christopher Bell, Norman, OK
5 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO
24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN
5 Jerry Coons Jr, Tucson, AZ
21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA
71 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA
63 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN
1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN
39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN
1ST J.J. Yeley, Charlotte, NC
15X Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ
47X Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY
4AU Mathew Smith, Brandy Hill, NSW
VIROC V: Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions 2013
39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN
1ST J.J. Yeley, Charlotte, NC
1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN
15X Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ
63 Jerry Coons Jr, Tucson, AZ
47X Tim McCreadie Watertown,
71 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA
24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN
21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA
05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO
67X Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA
47 Damion Gardner, Concord, CA
56P Jason Lef?er, Long Beach, CA
5 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA
14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN
VIROC IV: Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions 2012
1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN
39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN
24 Tracy Hines, Greenfield, IN
05G Damion Gardner, Concord, CA
67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN
39C Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN
14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN
05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills MO
67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA
Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ
5 (11) Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK
71 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA
21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA
DNS – 39i Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS
VIROC III: Vacuworx Invitational of Champions 2011
1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN
4X Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN
91X Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA
1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ
Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN
24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN
05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO
39M Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY
21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA
71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA
05G Damian Gardner, Concord, CA
39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN
15M Jay Drake, Val Verde, CA
35 Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN
47X Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA
15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL
VIROC II: Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions 2010
05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO
17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN
71K Jay Drake, Val Verde, CA
71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA
47 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA
15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL
91X Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA
21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA
57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN
1AU Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA
44D Damion Gardner, Concord, CA
39B Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN
11W Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY
40 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA
1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN
11 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN
VIROC I: Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions 2009
1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN
5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN
11W Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY
67 Jay Drake, Val Verde, CA
1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ
Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA
7C Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN
15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL
38 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA
21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN
2S Damion Gardner, Concord, CA
25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA
57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN
47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA.
Event Information:
What: 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway – quarter mile clay oval inside the River Spirit Expo Center at Tulsa’s Expo Square
Location: 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74114
When: January 12-16, 2016
For questions regarding entries, please contact Bryan Hulbert at (918) 838-3777. For questions regarding Parking, as well as event procedure and rulings, please contact Matt Ward at (918) 995-1650.
Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus 8th annual VIROC
Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – John Christner Trucking Qualifying Night
Friday – Vacuworx Global Qualifying Night
Saturday – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events
Viewing: Online PPV of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals is available on http://www.racinboys.com until the event goes live on Saturday night on MAVTV. Along with the live telecast on Saturday night, the event will also be shows on the all new www.lucasoilracing.tv.
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Champions:
Year – Driver (Owner)
2015 – Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2014 – Bryan Clauson (Joe Dooling/Rusty Kunz/Curb Records)
2013 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2012 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2011 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2010 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2009 – Sammy Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2008 – Damion Gardner (Jason Leffler)
2007 – Tony Stewart (Tony Stewart Motorsports)
2006 – Tim McCreadie (Steve Smith)
2005 – Tracy Hines (Wilke – Pak)
2004 – Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
2003 – Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
2002 – Tony Stewart (Keith Kunz)
2001 – Jay Drake (Keith Kunz)
2000 – Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
1999 – Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
1998 – Sammy Swindell (Pete Willoughby)
1997 – Billy Boat (John Lawson)
1996 – Sammy Swindell (Rusty Kunz / Jay McKinnie)
1995 – Donnie Beechler (Zarounian Motorsports)
1994 – Andy Hillenburg (Keith Kuntz / Rusty Kunz)
1993 – Dave Blaney (Ralph Potter)
1992 – Sammy Swindell (Dave Ellis)
1991 – Lealand McSpadden (Andy Bondio)
1990 – John Heydenreich (Tony Finley)
1989 – Sammy Swindell (Jack Runyon)
1988 – Scott Hatton (Jerry Hatton)
1987 – Rich Vogler (Bob Lowe)
Trade Show: A long standing tradition at the Chili Bowl, the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday), is free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 vendors. The Trade Show still has space available. Anyone looking to be a part of the Trade Show can contact the Chili Bowl office at 918-838-3777. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. More information about the products available from Lucas Oil can be found at http://www.lucasoil.com. General Tire is the presenting sponsor of the Chili Bowl. A complete inventory of tires offered by General Tire can be found at http://www.generaltire.com.
Vacuworx Global is the title sponsor of the VIROC which brings past Chili Bowl Champions as well as champions from around the world together for a single 20 lap race to see who is the best of the best. For more information about Vacuworx log onto www.vacuworx.com. For more information on past champions of the VIROC, log onto www.theviroc.com.
Sammy Swindell Dave Hill photo
