Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 14, 2011) – With the December 15 pre-entry discount deadline just one day away, the official entry count for the upcoming 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway broke through the 200 barrier on Wednesday.
With the blockbuster event set for January 10-14 less than four weeks from firing off, the current entry count is at 204 with drivers representing 26 states throughout the nation as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Finland.
Twenty-one of last year’s 24 Chili Bowl championship feature starters, including two-time and defending Chili Bowl champion, are among the current entries as are all four of last year’s preliminary “A” Feature winners.
While preliminary feature winners Bryan Clauson, Donnie Ray Crawford and Sammy Swindell each return to the same team they cracked victory lane with last year, Friday night winner Shane Cottle makes the shift to the No. 71xx of Dr. Kenneth Love for the 2012 Chili Bowl.
Sixteen of last year’s feature starters return to the same team they represented last year, with a handful of drivers finding themselves in a new ride for the 2012 edition. In addition to Cottle, others making changes include Cole Whitt, Jon Stanbrough, Jerry Coons, Jr., and Jason Leffler.
Whitt, the 2010 Chili Bowl runner-up, makes his first Midget start since last year’s Chili Bowl aboard a Dooling Machine-owned No. 63 wrenched by Rusty Kunz, a team with ties to Jerry Coons, Jr., Danny Lendich-owned No. 3nz. Coons, Jr., has started eight consecutive Chili Bowl championship feature events, the longest active Bowl streak. Cottle and Brad Kuhn are next on the list at six in row.
Coming off a ranking of sixth in NASCAR Nationwide points, Leffler is ready for his 16th Chili Bowl try. This time around, Leffler teams with the Keith Kunz Motorsports camp that also includes fellow Cali shoes Kyle Larson, Bud Kaeding and Rico Abreu.
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): Rich Camfield 21, Sammy Swindell 21, Steve Newman 20, David Camfield, Jr. 17, Tracy Hines 15, Jason Leffler 15, J.J. Yeley 15, Jerry Coons, Jr. 14, Dave Darland 14, Cory Kruseman 14, Joe Boyles 13, A.J. Fike 13, Nick O’Neal 13, Tim Siner 13, Matt Westfall 13, Shane Cottle 12, Bud Kaeding 11, Floyd Alvis 10, Josh Ford 10, Shane Hollingsworth 10, R.J. Johnson 10, Thomas Meseraull 10, Davey Ray 10, Paul White 10, Don Droud, Jr. 9, Damion Gardner 9, Brad Kuhn 9, Gary Taylor 9, Daryn Pittman 9, Travis Berryhill 8, Cody Brewer 8, Steve Buckwalter 8, Brad Loyet 8, Doug McCune 8, Todd McVay 8, Matt Sherrell 8, Jon Stanbrough 8, Danny Stratton 8.
Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts (Among Pre-Entered Drivers): Sammy Swindell 18, Jerry Coons, Jr. 12, Dave Darland 12, Tracy Hines 11, Jason Leffler 11, Cory Kruseman 10, Shane Cottle 8, Brad Kuhn 6, Jon Stanbrough 6, J.J. Yeley 6, Steve Buckwalter 5, Matt Westfall 5, Damion Gardner 4, Davey Ray 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, Casey Shuman 3, Kevin Swindell 3, Chris Windom 3, Rich Camfield 2, Bryan Clauson 2, Don Droud, Jr. 2, Shane Golobic 2, Jac Haudenschild 2, Levi Jones 2, Danny Stratton 2, Brady Bacon 1, Jonathan Beason 1, Brent Beauchamp 1, Chad Boat 1, Zach Daum 1, A.J. Fike 1, Mike Goodman 1, Darren Hagen 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Kyle Larson 1, Bobby Michnowicz 1, Brad Mosen 1, Tony Roney 1, Gary Taylor 1, Paul White 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.