TULSA, Okla. (Oct. 18, 2002) - The 17th Annual Chili Bowl will feature the 1st Annual Ford Focus Midget Race of Champions presented by Ford. The 20-lap event will feature the Ford Focus powered midget racecars introduced in 2002 as part of the United States Auto Club (USAC) Western Midget Championship Series. The event will run as a preliminary race to the 50-lap Chili Bowl Nationals on Saturday night, January 11, 2003.
The 20-lap invitational race will offer the opportunity for 8-10 championship drivers from national and regional series, including NASCAR, IRL, NRHA, USAC, WoO, ASCS, UTDRA and DIRT, to compete against each other in equally powered state-of-the-art racecars on the famous Tulsa Expo ¼ mile dirt track. Each of the drivers invited will have been successful in open wheel racing. According to Emmett Hahn, President of the Chili Bowl, "race fans at the Chili Bowl, as well as those watching ESPN2 the next day, can see these champion drivers let it all hang out in this exciting charity event. And when it's over a number of them will climb into their regular ride for another 50-laps".
Ford, through the Ford Dealers and Ford Racing, will sponsor the event has been developed to provide awareness and financial support to a number of charities located in Oklahoma, the home of the Chili Bowl for 16 years. Each of the drivers will be racing for a different Oklahoma Charity as selected by the Chili Bowl management and area Ford Dealers. The winning driver will present his "charity sponsor" with at least $5,000. Each charity participating will receive at least $1,000.
The USAC Ford Focus Midget has been developed to provide a cost effective and affordable step into the highly competitive world of oval track racing on dirt and pavement. These cars combine the reliability of the Ford Focus twin overhead cam engine that powers the #1 selling car in the world with the latest technology in racing chassis and components. The engine package, developed by Keith Iaia and SCREAM Cars in California, retains the standard internal components as assembled by ford while adding "racing" systems for fuel, ignition and getting power to the rear wheels.
Many of today's racing champions enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, success in midget race cars: Tony Stewart, 2002 Chili Bowl Champion and current NASCAR Winston Cup points leader, Al Inser Jr., Indy 500 Champion, Doug Kalitta, former USAC National Sprint Champion and one of today's top NHRA Top Fuel Champions; Dave Blaney (NASCAR) and Billy Boat (IRL), former Chili Bowl Champions.
The USAC Ford Focus Midgets used for the Midget Race of Champions will be provided by the car owners that travel to the Chili Bowl to run a 2-race exhibition program. On Thursday night the regular drivers will run a 15-lap feature, with the finish inverted for Friday nights 20-lap event. The overall winner of both nights based on average finish will be invited to run the Race of Champions.
The Chili Bowl is held inside the 500,000 square foot Tulsa Expo Center, one of the largest such buildings without any center supports. The ¼ mile race track, 125,000 square foot Fan/Trade Show, and pits for over 175 race teams with their transporters - all inside - creates a very fan friendly environment. For the drivers of the many different sanctioning organizations, the Chili Bowl presents a relaxed and friendly atmosphere during the week where their personal and professional time is respected by fans the media. In turn the drivers always make time to visit with them.
The 20-lap invitational race will offer the opportunity for 8-10 championship drivers from national and regional series, including NASCAR, IRL, NRHA, USAC, WoO, ASCS, UTDRA and DIRT, to compete against each other in equally powered state-of-the-art racecars on the famous Tulsa Expo ¼ mile dirt track. Each of the drivers invited will have been successful in open wheel racing. According to Emmett Hahn, President of the Chili Bowl, "race fans at the Chili Bowl, as well as those watching ESPN2 the next day, can see these champion drivers let it all hang out in this exciting charity event. And when it's over a number of them will climb into their regular ride for another 50-laps".
Ford, through the Ford Dealers and Ford Racing, will sponsor the event has been developed to provide awareness and financial support to a number of charities located in Oklahoma, the home of the Chili Bowl for 16 years. Each of the drivers will be racing for a different Oklahoma Charity as selected by the Chili Bowl management and area Ford Dealers. The winning driver will present his "charity sponsor" with at least $5,000. Each charity participating will receive at least $1,000.
The USAC Ford Focus Midget has been developed to provide a cost effective and affordable step into the highly competitive world of oval track racing on dirt and pavement. These cars combine the reliability of the Ford Focus twin overhead cam engine that powers the #1 selling car in the world with the latest technology in racing chassis and components. The engine package, developed by Keith Iaia and SCREAM Cars in California, retains the standard internal components as assembled by ford while adding "racing" systems for fuel, ignition and getting power to the rear wheels.
Many of today's racing champions enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, success in midget race cars: Tony Stewart, 2002 Chili Bowl Champion and current NASCAR Winston Cup points leader, Al Inser Jr., Indy 500 Champion, Doug Kalitta, former USAC National Sprint Champion and one of today's top NHRA Top Fuel Champions; Dave Blaney (NASCAR) and Billy Boat (IRL), former Chili Bowl Champions.
The USAC Ford Focus Midgets used for the Midget Race of Champions will be provided by the car owners that travel to the Chili Bowl to run a 2-race exhibition program. On Thursday night the regular drivers will run a 15-lap feature, with the finish inverted for Friday nights 20-lap event. The overall winner of both nights based on average finish will be invited to run the Race of Champions.
The Chili Bowl is held inside the 500,000 square foot Tulsa Expo Center, one of the largest such buildings without any center supports. The ¼ mile race track, 125,000 square foot Fan/Trade Show, and pits for over 175 race teams with their transporters - all inside - creates a very fan friendly environment. For the drivers of the many different sanctioning organizations, the Chili Bowl presents a relaxed and friendly atmosphere during the week where their personal and professional time is respected by fans the media. In turn the drivers always make time to visit with them.
