Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 15, 2019) – Brady Bacon is starting off the 2019 season on a strong note as he raced into Saturday night’s 33rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals 55-lap championship by virtue of a runner-up finish in Monday’s opening night of preliminary action.
On a rare occasion to race in front of scores of friends and family close to his native Broken Arrow, OK, upbringing, Bacon shook some Chili Bowl demons that have plagued him at the Tulsa Expo Raceway in recent years to lock into his third finale and first since the 2013 edition of the prestigious event.
“It’s such a relief to get locked into this,” Bacon commented. “Now we can relax some the next several nights and focus on getting the car right for Saturday’s feature.”
Running a limited slate of Midget events in 2019, Bacon was consistent throughout Monday night’s preliminary action aboard the FMR No. 76 with a run from third to second in the night’s second Heat Race and then climbing from fourth to second in the fourth Qualifying Race to put the Imperial Wagyu Beef entry fifth in the 25-lap feature starting grid.
Bacon made his way to third by the time the first caution flew after seven laps and had the topside working to his favor until a red flag flew at the midway point.
From there, Bacon kept the pressure on Brad Sweet and finally made the move for the second and final lock-in position on the 23rd lap.
“I think we had a car capable of winning, then everyone else found the top after the red,” Bacon commented.
With the second-place run among Monday’s field of 63, Bacon will start among the top ten in Saturday’s finale pending the results of the Pole Shuffle.
Bacon will be looking to top a career best Chili Bowl finish of 7th in 2008 with his next championship feature start resulting in a 22nd place finish in 2013.
Brady Bacon Racing is bolstered by the support of partners including Fatheadz Eyewear, Tel-Star Technology/Port City Raceway, Gene Frankowiak, Cimarron Cycle Works, Priority Aviation, Triple-X Race Co., FMR Racing, FK Indy, Heath Clips Lawn Care, Elliot’s Custom Trailers and Carts, B&S Cattle, Lucas Oil Products, Kiser’s Truck and Auto, Smiley’s Racing Products, Keizer Wheels, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, FK Rod Ends, DMI, Walker Filters, ProGlide Coatings, Octane Ink, CP Carrillo, PAC Racing Allstar Performance, Simpson Racing Products, Driver Websites, Engler Machine and Tool, Wilwood Engineering, Schroth Racing, Smith Precision Products, KSE Racing Products, King Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, FSR Radiators, LRB Mfg. Indy Race Parts, Imperial Wagyu Beef, Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts, Tony Elliott Foundation, Frolic Bar & Grill.
2019 Quick Stats: 1 race, 1 top-five, 1 top-ten.
Up Next: Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals championship “A” Feature at Tulsa Expo Raceway on Saturday, January 19.
Keep Track: Keep track of Brady Bacon’s on-track action including schedule and results at http://www.bradybaconracing.com/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Brady-Bacon-278125555137/ and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BradyBaconRacin.
If you would like Brady Bacon Racing press releases e-mailed directly to you, send your e-mail address to Lonnie Wheatley at lonniewheatley@gmail.com.