Chili Bowl Ticket Renewal Deadline Draws Near
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (May 7, 2009) – While the 2009 racing season is just getting up to full swing in most parts of the country, it's never too soon to start making plans for 2010.  Especially when those plans include the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire.

And with demand for tickets already at record levels, Chili Bowl ticket holders are reminded that the deadline for renewal is just a couple of short weeks away with May 22 the cutoff date to retain seats held during the 2009 edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals.

The 24th edition of the prestigious event held indoors atop the QuikTrip Center's ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval is set for January 12-16, 2010.  Tickets for four nights (Wednesday through Saturday) are just $185 apiece, with tickets for all five nights of intense competition available for $211.  A $1 per ticket handling charge is applied if paying by credit card.

Any tickets not renewed by the May 22 deadline will be filled by new orders on a first-come, first-served basis, with new orders accepted at any time.  New orders will only be filled based upon availability, increasing the impetus upon placing new orders as early as possible.

Tickets are available by calling the Chili Bowl ticket office at 918-838-3777 or online at www.chilibowl.com.

Earlier this year, Sammy Swindell kicked off the 2009 season by capturing an unprecedented fifth Golden Driller trophy, besting a record field of 281 competitors from throughout the nation and beyond in the process.

The veteran Germantown, TN, racer is one of just four drivers to earn multiple Chili Bowl triumphs, with Tony Stewart, Cory Kruseman and Dan Boorse each posting two event wins.  Another dozen drivers have claimed one Chili Bowl triumph including Damion Gardner, Tim McCreadie, Tracy Hines, Jay Drake, Billy Boat, Donnie Beechler, Andy Hillenburg, Dave Blaney, Lealand McSapdden, Jon Heydenreich, Scott Hatton and Rich Vogler.

Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire is available by calling 918-838-3777 or at www.chilibowl.com.

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Sammy Swindell Gets One for the Thumb with Fifth Chili Bowl Win!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 17, 2009) – Sammy Swindell put the finishing touches on a perfect week by racing to victory lane in Saturday night's 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire 50-lap championship feature event, besting an event record of 281 competitors.
 
After slipping back as far as fifth for a brief moment at the race's midway point, the Tennessee shoe took to the upper reaches of the QuikTrip Center's ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval and blitzed to the head of the pack in short order, taking the lead away from Tracy Hines on the 34th circuit.
 
"To pull this off the way we did, to be undefeated here in every race, it was fun," Swindell commented afterward.  "We had a great car and a lot of good fortune that we didn't get in trouble, and didn't tear up anything or get banged around." 
 
Swindell survived a set of cautions in the final handful of circuits along with a foray or two above the turns one and two cushion to capture an unprecedented fifth Chili Bowl title and the coveted Golden Driller trophy that goes along with it.
 
Swindell was chased to the line by Hines, with Brad Kuhn making a last-corner move around Jerry Coons, Jr., to snare the show position.  J.J. Yeley rounded out the top five.
 
The triumph, his first since reeling off four wins over the stretch from 1989 to 1998, capped an undefeated week of competition for "Slammin' Sammy" aboard the unique Esslinger-powered Venture Racing/ARIENCO/John Christner Trucking No. 1 Spike that sported an old-school appearing super modified tail tank.
 
Swindell opened the week with a Race of Champions victory on Tuesday and then swept Wednesday night's card with wins in heat race, qualifying race and main event competition to establish himself as a strong favorite in Saturday night's finale.
 
"Sometimes you can really get in trouble when you have a car that's really good," Swindell explained.  "This place here is a little bit of momentum and rhythm, if I can get in that one little zone there I don't make many mistakes."
 
For the first half of Saturday's finale, third-starter Swindell was chasing front row starters Hines and Coons, who paced the initial 26 circuits that ran off in rapid fire fashion with the only interruption a lap 19 spin in turn four by Josh Ford.
 
While Coons led from the outset, Hines persistently pressured for the lead with Swindell, Kuhn and Levi Jones in pursuit.  A Hines bobble exiting turn two on the tenth round briefly moved Swindell into second, only to have Hines battle back by two laps later as the leaders worked the tail of the field.
 
The pace continued after the lap 19 caution, with Hines taking quick advantage to take the lead by ducking underneath a Coons' push exiting turn four on the 27th lap.
 
Meanwhile, Swindell turned up the jets after slipping behind Kuhn and then Jones.  "I tried to slow down a time or two and slowed down too much."
 
Stepping up the pace, Swindell quickly negated Jones' move and took to the top side of the track, blasting by Kuhn, then Coons and then Hines on successive laps to take command on the 34th circuit.
 
"I wanted to have a car that was good the second half, I was just waiting for everyone to get comfortable on the bottom and it left me the top open," Swindell explained.  "I just caught it right at the right time, I played my cards good."
 
Despite narrowly missing a Donnie Ray Crawford spin on the 37th lap, surviving a perilous trip into the cushion on the 47th lap and three late cautions, Swindell raced to Roger Slack's checkered flag without challenge over the final 17 rounds.
 
Hines and Coons battled for runner-up honors behind the lapped cars separating them from Swindell in the final rounds, with 2005 Chili Bowl king Hines finally taking runner-up honors in Tony Stewart's Kistler-powered Chevy/Bass Pro Shops No. 21 Spike.
 
"Basically, we just didn't tighten the race car up enough," Hines explained afterward.  "We did exactly what we wanted to do, it just wasn't enough."
 
Salt was added to the Coons wound when Brad Kuhn battled by in the final corner to take the show position in the Toyota-powered RW Motorsports No. 17b Beast, bettering his previous best Chili Bowl finish of fourth in 2006.
 
Coons settled for fourth in the Toyota-powered Wilke-PAK Motorports Speedway Motors No. 11 Spike, his best career Chili Bowl finish in a dozen tries.
 
J.J. Yeley rounded out the top five in Cruz Pedregon's Toyota-powered Odyssey Batteries No. 1J Spike by nipping Dave Darland at the line by inches.  Darland settled for sixth, with Chris Windom charging from 23rd to seventh in his second Chili Bowl championship feature start.
 
Cole Whitt climbed from 17th to eighth, with Steve Buckwalter edging Brad Loyet at the line for ninth.
 
Loyet's tenth-place showing aboard one of three Loyet Motorsports entries in the finale was the best of a handful of drivers that made the cut for their first career Chili Bowl championship feature event including Gary Taylor (12th), Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (14th), Thomas Meseraull (16th) and Chad Kemenah (25th).
 
Loyet also beat teammates Jon Stanbrough (13th) and Jesse Hockett (18th) in the finale as Loyet Motorsports bested the other super-teams by landing three drivers in the main event.  Tony Stewart, Wilke-PAK, Keith Kunz Motorsports, Tel-Star Communications and Daryl Saucier each had two cars make the main event.
 
After exiting "C" Main action, defending Chili Bowl champion Damion Gardner utilized the defending champion's provisional to start 25th and ultimately took the checkered flag in 19th.
 
Levi Jones held down the fifth position until jumping the turn two cushion and stalling his mount just five laps short of the checkered flag.  Jones was credited with 24th after calling it a night.
 
NASCAR star Kasey Kahne's day was cut short when he tangled with Jason Meyers while dicing for a transfer position just three laps short of the night's first "C" Main.
 
The night's main event capped a full day of racing action that included 23 championship feature events that opened with Twin "L" Mains.
 
Cody Kershaw opened the day with a win in the first "L" Main in Chili Bowl history, with Dusty Heistand winning the second "L" Main.
 
Kevin Bayer won the first "K" Main and then advanced through "J" and "I" action before his day ended in an "H".  Plagued by misfortune during the week, 2008 Belleville Midget Nationals champion Brad Sweet won the second "K" Main (in which Dylan Peterson took down some turn one fencing) and advanced through the second "J" before an "I" tangle doused his hopes of a significant alphabet run.
 
Chad DeSelle won the first "J" Main before advancing from an "I", with Brock Lemley winning the second "J".
 
Dave Camfield, Jr., raced past Glenn Styres on the third circuit en route to winning the first "I" Main punctuated by a wild backstretch tumble by French Grimes, while Will Pierce wired the field in the second "I".
 
Eventual first "H" winner Rick England took the point away from Jennifer Greenberg on the third round, while Joe Cleveland took command of the second "H" for keeps when leader Ricky Ehrgott did a not-quite-quick-enough 360-degree spin in turn four on the third lap.
 
A top-ten finisher last year, Brady Bacon's day opened with a hard-fought "G" Main win over "H" Main transfer Danny Stratton followed by a late charge on the top side to claim the fourth and final move-up in the first "F" Main before running out of steam in the "E".  Matt Mitchell led all the way in the second "G" before mechanical woes early in the "F" ended his day.
 
Critter Malone aced the first "F", with Garrett Hansen matching the trick in the second "F" in front of "G" Main transfer Davey Ray, who survived a four-wide scramble into the final pair of corners to move on from his "G".
 
Chad Boat sailed to the first "E" Main win, with Jeff Bland, Jr., victorious in the second "E" Main.
 
Jason Meyers fought off Matt Streeter to win the first "D" Main, while Cole Carter made a late move around Billy Wease to win the second "D" as Hunter Schuerenberg shot from 14th to third.
 
Jason Leffler beat Kevin Swindell to the line in the first "C" Main, with Mat Neely taking the checkered flag in a second "C" that concluded with the day's nastiest flip as Frank Polimeda biked it and then barrel rolled a half-dozen times down the frontstretch in a valiant effort gone bad to take the sixth and final transfer position from Bud Kaeding.
 
Josh Ford won the first "B" Main to make the grade for his second consecutive Chili Bowl main event as Windom nipped Brent Beauchamp by just 0.011-seconds for the sixth and final transfer position.  Danny Lasoski was battling for a transfer position until flipping after contact with Bryan Clauson, who also incurred damage in the scrum. 
 
Casey Shuman won the second "B" Main, with Shane Hmiel ranking as this year's top finishing Chili Bowl rookie when he missed the feature cut by just one position in seventh.  Darren Hagen had climbed from 12th to the final transfer in sixth only to be forced to the infield four laps shy of the checkered flag in the 20-lapper.
 
Saturday's 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire Championship Feature Results
 
L Mains (Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding K Main)
L Main 1: 1. #6Z Cody Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 2. #87C Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 3. #27A Brent Swift, Norman, OK DNS - #1B Scott Crystal, Overland Park, KS; #0C Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; #5T Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK; #63R Rob Parish, Knightstown, IN; #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA
 
L Main 2: 1. #6D Dusty Heistand, Manheim, PA; 2. #3 Julee Jamison, Littleton, CO; 3. #39J Justin Grosz, Hawley, PA; 4. #6X #Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 5. #05X Channing Zierolf, Houma, LA; DNS - #92M Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; #1M Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN
 
K Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding J Main)
K Main 1: 1. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #21Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 3. #89 Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 4. #6Z Cody Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 5. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, TX; 6. #27A Brent Swift, Norman, OK; 7. #4R Robby Ross, St. Joseph, MO; 8. #48 Lee Little, Mustang, OK; 9. #87C Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 10. #3A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 11. #61A Kevin Battles, Collinsville, OK; 12. #76K Frank Ikerd, Loma, Linda, MO; 13. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; DNS - #0J Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; #22AZ Stevie Sussex, Buckeye, AZ
 
K Main 2: 1. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 2. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 3. #21J John Lowrey, Bakersfield, CA; 4. #6D Dusty Heistand, Sioux Falls, SD; 5. #10C Scott Allen, Kansas City, KS; 6. #33 Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; 7. #39J Justin Grosz, Hawley, PA; 8. #3 Julee Jamison, Littleton, CO; 9. #92R Jake Rosario, Guthrie, OK; 10. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 11. #1K Ron Kuhn, Lees Summit, MO; 12. #7J Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 13. #35P Tim Spurgeon, San Ramon, CA; 14. #6X Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; DNS – #3F Ned Fry, West Burlington, IA; #11B Scott Weir, Marion, IN
 
J Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding I Main)
J Main 1: 1. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 2. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #5M Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek, WI; 4. #31X Scott Nail, Visalia, CA; 5. #89 Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 6. #6Z Cody Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 7. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO: 8. #63N Rex Norris, Spiceland, IN; 9. #21Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 10. #31L Chuck Knight, Fort Smith, AR; 11. #77 Jimmy Winkler, Parkville, MO; 12. #50T Tom Everhart, El Cajon, CA; 13. #31V Victor Davis, Simi Valley, CA; 14. #5A Peter Palazzolo, Pacific, MO; DNS - #3W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; #25Z Chris Zrinski, Forked River, NJ
 
J Main 2: 1. #10B Brock Lemley, Bellingham, WA; 2. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, OK: 3. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 4. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 5. #51S Kiley Fellars, Buckeye, AZ; 6. #6D Dusty Heistand, Sioux Falls, SD; 7. #9M Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX; 8. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 9. #20B Carey Becker, Reading, PA; 10. #78C Tony Roland, Valparaiso, IN; 11. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX; 12. #21J John Lowrey, Bakersfield, CA; 13. #45 Aaron Kirk, Conroe, TX DNS - #21K Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, IN; #07 Billy Mentgen, Jamestown, IN, #11XC Steve Newman, Breckenridge, CO
 
I Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding H Main)
I Main 1: 1. #86C Dave Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 2. #34 Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 3. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 4. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 5. #5M Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek, WI; 6. #73T Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 7. #31X Scott Nail, Visalia, CA; 8. #99J Robby Josett, Agua Dulce, CA; 9. #0 Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 10. #86J Jim Donley, Yuma, AZ; 11. #50 Ted Kirkpatrick, Waterloo, IL; 12. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 13. #91 Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 14. #67X Landon Simon, Tipp City, OH; 15. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS DNS - #2X Doug Day, Winder, GA
 
I Main 2: 1. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 2. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 3. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, OK; 4. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 5. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK: 6. #37W Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 7. #17P Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN; 8. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 9. #98 Curtis Bailey, Bartlesville, OK; 10. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 11. #22S Brandon Spithaler, Evans City, PA; 12. #10V Viktor Sinzig, Cupertino, CA; 13. #10B Brock Lemley, Bellingham, WA; 14. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 15. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; DNS - #6E Rafe Essary, Fayetteville, AR
 
H Main (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding G Main)
H Main 1: 1.#12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 2. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #36F Frank Flud, Pryor, OK; 4. #34 Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK: 5. #25K Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz, CA; 6. #07X Jennifer Greenberg, Albuquerque, NM; 7. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 8. #17M Marc Robe, Wichita, KS; 9. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 10. #27C Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 11. #10X Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 12. #74 Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon, CA; 13. #4F Chad Frewaldt, Kansas City, KS; 14. #86C Dave Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 15. #17BB Brent Burdette, Sunman, IN; 16. #60 Eric Sandage, Alexander, AR
 
H Main 2: 1. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 2. #14K Henry Clarke, Villa Park, CA; 3. #88W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 4. #24 #Nick Foster Jr., San Jose, CA; 5. #8R Ricky Ehrgott, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #31D David Budres, Beloit, WI; 7. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, OK; 8. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 9. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 10. #6J Justin Barger, Montrose, NY; 11. #27D Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 12. #73M Tanner Mullens, Andale, KS; 13. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 14. #D1 Barry Lamb, Moran, KS; 15. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK DNS – Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY
 
G Main (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding F Main)
G Main 1: 1. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #04 Cap Henry, Bellevue, OH; 4. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 5. #34 Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 6. #24C Casey Riggs, Shelbyville, IN; 7. #70X Andrew Elson, Carmel, IN; 8. #36F Frank Flud, Pryor, OK; 9. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 10. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 11. #87 Danny Faria Jr., Tipton, CA; 12. #71T Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; 13. #8E Murray Erickson, Odessa, TX; 14. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 15. #10E Eli Deshaies, N. Kingstown, RI; DNS - #85B Jerry Bell Jr., Sachse, TX
 
G Main 2: 1. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 2. #7S Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 3. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 4. #75R Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 5. #1AZ Jeff Perry, Buckeye, AZ; 6. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 7. #24 Nick Foster Jr., San Jose, CA; 8. #57 Kevin Studley, Plainfield, IN; 9. #88W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 10. #14K Henry Clarke, Villa Park, CA; 11. #2D Steven Davis, Norco, CA; 12. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 13. #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK; 14. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 15. #23F J.T. Stapp, Greensburg, IN; DNS - #7C Chris Burns, Bethany, OK
 
F Main (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding E Main)
F Main 1: 1. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 2. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 3. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 4. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #27 Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 7. #401 Daniel Adler, E. Carondolet, IL; 8. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 9. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 10. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 11. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ; 12. #81X Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 13. #5K Jeff Wimmenauer, Indianapolis, IN; 14. #57X Jason Holt, Brownsville, IN; 15. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 16. #04 Cap Henry, Bellevue, OH
 
F Main 2: 1. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 2. #75R Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 3. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 4. #12Z Drew Heistand, Wrightsville, PA; 5. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 6. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 7. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 8. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 9. #2M Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 10. #47X Jerome Rodela, El Monte, CA; 11. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 12. #39B Billy Wilburn, Mooresville, NC; 13. #7S Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 14. #25A Aaron Ott, York Springs, PA; 15. #51G P.J. Gargiulo, Morton, PA; 16. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA
 
E Main (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding D Main)
E Main 1: 1. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 2. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 3. #49P Billy Pauch, Frenchtown, NJ; 4. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 5. #44P P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 6. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #71K Cale Conley, Vienna, WV; 8. #81 Doug Kammerzell, Arlington, WA; 9. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 10. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 11. #29 Nick Smith, Broken Arrow, OK; 12. #18 Donnie Trent, Honey Brook, PA; 13. #02 Matthew Rossi, Peoria, AZ; 14. #7E Blake Miller, Yorba Linda, CA; 15. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 16. #55T Tony Everhart, El Cajon, CA
 
E Main 2: 1. #37J Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN; 2. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 4. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 5. #9JR Derek Hagar, Marion, AR; 6. #75R Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL: 7. #7A Bubba Altig, Marengo, IL: 8. #11S Chris Sheil, Englewood, CO; 9. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 10. #99K Kevin Kierce, Reseda, CA; 11. #12Z Drew Heistand, Wrightsville, PA; 12. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 13. #81K Rob Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 14. #12H Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, CA; 15. #7G Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 16. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL
 
D Main (15 Laps - Top 6 transfer to back of corresponding C Main)
D Main 1: 1. #14J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 2. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 3. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 4. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 5. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 6. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 7. #49P Billy Pauch, Frenchtown, NJ; 8. #35R Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, OK; 9. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 10. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #89C Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 12. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 13. #8G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 14. #31B Bruce Douglass, Ventura, CA; 15. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 16. #10R Rob Russell, Fremont, CA; 17. #2B Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; DNS – Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN
 
D Main 2: 1. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 3. #39H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 4. #22 Brian Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 5. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK: 6. #67S Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 7. #87X Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 8. #97J Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 9. #7R Keith Rauch, Thornton, CO; 10. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 12. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK: 13. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 14. #37J Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN; 15. #4M Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 16. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 17. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 18. #7X Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK
 
C Mains (15 Laps - Top 6 to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #38 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 2. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 3. #47B Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 4. #75W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 5. #D33 Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 6. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 7. #21X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL: 8. #82 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 9. #17K Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 10. #44 Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 11. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 12. #24D Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 13. #7R Paul McMahan, Nashville, TN; 14. #67K Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 15. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 16. #7B Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 17. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 18. #14J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 19. #2S Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 20. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA
 
C Main 2: 1. #73X Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 2. #87J Johnny Rodriguez, Galt, CA; 3. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL: 4. #56 Shane Hmiel, Huntersville, NC; 5. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 6. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 7. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 8. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 9. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 10. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 11. #8J Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, OH; 12. #55C Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 13. #39H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 14. #22 Brian Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 15. #15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 16. #67S Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 17. 35X Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 18. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 19. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 20. #73W Austen Wheatley, Lake Stevens, WA
 
B Mains (20 Laps - Top 6 in each advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 2. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 3. #1S Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 4. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 6. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 7. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 8. #67 Jay Drake, Brownsburg, IN; 9. #1DM Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 10. #75W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 11. #47B Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 12. #71S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 13. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 14. #D33 Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 15. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 16. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 17. #17F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 18. #71X Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 19. #38 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; DNS - #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK
 
B Main 2: 1. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 2. #21P Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 3. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 4. #2A Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 5. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 6. #55 Donnie Crawford, Tulsa, OK; 7. #56 Shane Hmiel, Huntersville, NC; 8. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 9. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL: 10. #11T Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 11. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 12. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 13. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 14. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 15. #73X Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 16. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 17. #32 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 18. #87J Johnny Rodriguez, Galt, CA; 19. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 20. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA
 
A Main (50 laps) : 1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #21 Tracy Hines, Greenfield, IN; 3. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 4. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 5. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 7. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 8. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 9. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 10. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 11. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 12. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 13. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 14. #132 Ricky Stenhouse, Olive Branch, MS; 15. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 16. #2A Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 17. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Tulsa, OK; 18. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 19. #2S Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 20. #21P Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 21. #86 Justin Allgaier, Cornelius, NC; 22. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 23. #1S Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 24. #20 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 25. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH

-end- 

Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Saturday Feature Lineups
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 17, 2009) – Twenty-three championship feature events dipping as far into the alphabet as Twin "L" Mains seems almost beyond comprehension.

It's set to happen though on Saturday, as a record 281 competitors from throughout the nation and beyond will sling the clay at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway in pursuit of the coveted Golden Driller trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire.

It has taken four full nights of qualifying competition to set Saturday's championship feature grid.  And those four nights included a whopping total of 72 races amounting to 764 hair-raising laps to set the stage for Saturday's finale.

Brad Kuhn, Sammy Swindell, Tracy Hines and Jerry Coons, Jr., each collected feature wins to earn starting positions among the front two rows of Saturday night's 50-lap finale, with Hines drawing the pole position.

While Hines hopes to join the elite ranks of multi-time Chili Bowl winners that includes only Sammy Swindell, Tony Stewart, Cory Kruseman and Dan Boorse, Friday night winner Coons takes aim on his first Golden Driller.

Four-time Chili Bowl king Swindell grids the feature field inside the second row with 50 perilous laps standing between himself and a perfect Chili Bowl experience after winning Tuesday's Race of Champions and then sweeping Wednesday night's card.

Tuesday night feature winner Brad Kuhn starts outside the second row as he tries for his first Chili Bowl triumph.

The second and third place finishers from each night drew for their starting positions in Saturday's "A" Main, with each winner's draw dictating the balance of Saturday's feature lineups in which the remaining 269 racers try to fill the 12 remaining feature slots.

Defending race winner Damion Gardner begins his day inside row four of the First "C" Main in his bid to become the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl Nationals history.

Those locked into the main event, and their Chili Bowl backgrounds, include:

Tracy Hines (New Castle, IN) – The 2005 Chili Bowl champ makes his 11th championship finale in 13 attempts and has finished among the top ten over each of the past five years.

Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ) – Makes his 10th championship start in 12 tries, a seventh-place finish in 1999 is the best of two top-tens for the now two-time Chili Bowl prelim winner.

Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN) – The most decorated in Chili Bowl history with four wins and eleven top-tens, although his last win came in 1998 and his last top-ten was a third-place showing in 2001.  Makes an event record 16th championship feature start in 19 tries as the likely odds-on favorite after dominant performances earlier in the week.

Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN) – A preliminary feature winner for the second year in a row is set for his fourth consecutive main event start with a drive from deep in the field to finish fourth in 2006 his most successful effort thus far.

Levi Jones (Olney, IL) – The two-time USAC Sprint Car champ is ready for his second championship final in a row in his fifth Chili Bowl try after making his way from "C" Main action to finish 11th last year.

J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ) – With no taste for alphabet soup this year, the USAC Triple Crown champ makes his sixth Chili Bowl championship start with hopes of bettering podium finishes of third in 2004 and second in 2007.

Dave Darland (Lincoln, NE) – One of three USAC Triple Crown champs to lock in along with Coons and Yeley, Darland makes his 11th main event start in eleven tries and shoots for his first Golden Driller after finishing second last year.

Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Olive Branch, MS) – Missed the Tuesday night win by just a few feet, but still makes his first Chili Bowl championship feature start after some quick travels in between for NASCAR Nationwide testing.

Jon Stanbrough (Avon, IN) – Makes his fifth consecutive championship feature start after posting a top finish of fifth last year.

Justin Allgaier (Cornelius, NC) – A third-place Chili Bowl finisher two years ago, the Illinois native makes his third championship feature start after collecting ARCA/ReMax hardware in 2008.

Steve Buckwalter (Royersford, PA) – Ready for his fourth championship start in eight tries, his best finish thus far is an 11th-place run in 2007.

Brady Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO) – The 2007 POWRi Midget champion cracks the Chili Bowl championship "A" Main for the first time after narrowly missing out twice in the past three years.

Saturday's slate of Chili Bowl championship main events gets under way with the first of Twin "L" Mains at 11:45 a.m.

Saturday's 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire slate of championship feature event lineups is as follows:

A Feature (50 Laps)
21 Tracy Hines (New Castle, IN) – 11 Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ)

1 Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN) - 17b Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN)

20 Levi Jones (Olney, IL) - 1J J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ)

5 Dave Darland (Lincoln, IN) – 132 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Olive Branch, MS)

05s Jon Stanbrough (Avon, IN) -             86 Justin Allgaier (Cornelius, NC)

25 Steve Buckwalter (Royersford, PA) - O5 Brad Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO)

B Feature 1 Transfer 1 – B Feature 2 Transfer 1

B Feature 1 Transfer 2 – B Feature 2 Transfer 2

B Feature 1 Transfer 3 – B Feature 2 Transfer 3

B Feature 1 Transfer 4 – B Feature 2 Transfer 4

B Feature 1 Transfer 5 – B Feature 2 Transfer 5

B Feature 1 Transfer 6 – B Feature 2 Transfer 6

First B Feature (20 Laps - 6 Transfer)
1s Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN) – 73 Josh Ford (Oxnard, CA)

71 Cole Whitt (Alpine, CA) – 4 Bobby East (Brownsburg, IN)

112 Brent Beauchamp (Fairland, IN) – 17 Chris Windom (Canton, IL)

12 Trey Robb (Newcastle, OK) - 05L Danny Lasoski (Higginsville, MO)

05h Jesse Hockett (Warsaw, MO) - 17F Mike Goodman (Tulsa, OK)

1dm Dustin Morgan (Collinsville, OK) - 71s Mike Spencer (Temecula, CA)

67 Jay Drake (Brownsburg, IN) - 71x Gary Wright (Hooks, TX)

C Feature 1 Transfer 1 – C Feature 1 Transfer 2

C Feature 1 Transfer 3 – C Feature 1 Transfer 4

C Feature 1 Transfer 5 – C Feature 1 Transfer 6

Second B Feature (20 Laps - 6 Transfer)
21p Daryn Pittman (Owasso, OK) - 37x Casey Shuman (Tempe, AZ)

55 Donnie Ray Crawford           (Tulsa, OK) - 2a Thomas Meseraull  (San Jose, CA)

15 Tim Siner (Dupo, IL) - 8k Chad Kemenah (Alvada, OH)

26 Glenn Carson (Concord, CA) - 7m Kevin Ramey (Fort Worth, TX)

14w Matt Westfall (Ludlow Falls, OH) - 5* Gary Taylor (Sapulpa, OK)

12jr Nathan High (Goodyear, AZ) – 32 Darren Hagen (Riverside, CA)

7d Dakoda Armstrong (New Castle, IN) - 11T Terry McCarl (Altoona, IA)

C Feature 2 Transfer 1 – C Feature 2 Transfer 2

C Feature 2 Transfer 3 – C Feature 2 Transfer 4

C Feature 2 Transfer 5 – C Feature 2 Transfer 6

First C Feature (15 Laps - 6 Transfer)
7b Austin Brown (Millstadt, IL) - 47b Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN)

38 Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA) – 82 Mike Hess (Riverton, IL)

75w Josh Wise (Riverside, CA) -           d33 Joey Moughan (Springfield, IL)

2s Damion Gardner (Pittsboro, IN) - 24d Daniel Robinson (Wayne City, IL)

21T Don Droud, Jr. (Lincoln, NE) - 21x Kevin Olson (Machesney Park, IL)

67k Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA) - 7r Paul McMahan (Nashville, TN)

44 Ryan Pace (Brownsburg, IN) - 17k Austin Mero (Kingsburg, CA)

D Feature 1 Transfer 1 – D Feature 1 Transfer 2

D Feature 1 Transfer 3 – D Feature 1 Transfer 4

D Feature 1 Transfer 5 – D Feature 1 Transfer 6

Second C Feature (15 Laps - 6 Transfer)
73x Mat Neely (Robinson, IL) - 5d Zach Daum (Pocahontas, IL)

44F Frank Polimeda (Fort Lee, NJ) - 87J Johnny Rodriguez (Galt, CA)

8J Greg Wilson (Benton Ridge, OH) - 49jr Bobby Michnowicz (Torrance, CA)

35x Scott Pierovich (Alamo, CA) – 56 Shane Hmiel (Huntersville, NC)

8x Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA) – 88 Johnathon Henry (Stockton, CA)

15h Scott Hatton (Roscoe, IL) - 73w Austen Wheatley (Lake Stevens, WA)

36 Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK) - 55c Caleb Armstrong (New Castle, IN)

D Feature 2 Transfer 1 – D Feature 2 Transfer 2

D Feature 2 Transfer 3 – D Feature 2 Transfer 4

D Feature 2 Transfer 5 – D Feature 2 Transfer 6

First D Feature (15 Laps - 6 Transfer)
14J Jason Meyers (Clovis, CA) – 78 Nick Wean (Phillipsburg, NJ)

14jr Matt Streeter (Galt, CA) - 17T Justin Grant (Ione, CA)

69 A.J. Fike (Galesburg, IL) - 31b Bruce Douglass (Ventura, CA)

47 Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA) – 39 Kevin Swindell (Germantown, TN)

8g Coleman Gulick (Binghamton, NY) - 35r Tyler Robbins (Collinsville, IL)

2b Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) - 89c Cody Darrah (Red Lion, PA)

10r Rob Russell (Fremont, CA) - 11r Ryan Cole (Porter, OK)      

E Feature 1 Transfer 1 – E Feature 1 Transfer 2

E Feature 1 Transfer 3 – E Feature 1 Transfer 4

Second D Feature (15 Laps - 6 Transfer)
12w Billy Wease (Noblesville, IN) - 71r Keith Rauch (Thornton, CO)

22 Brian Camarillo (Ventura, CA) – 8 Randi Pankratz (Atascadero, CA)

007 Cole Carter (Brownsburg, IN) - 11x Ricky Williams (Clinton, OH)

7x Michelle Decker (Guthrie, OK) – 84 Joey Fabozzi (Norco, CA)

87x Rich Camfield (Decatur, IL) - 67s Brady Short (Bedford, IN)

4m Jimmy Light (Indianapolis, IN) - 35m Matt Sherrell (Owasso, OK)

97J Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA) - 39h Hunter Schuerenberg (Sikeston, MO)

E Feature 2 Transfer 1 – E Feature 2 Transfer 2

E Feature 2 Transfer 3 – E Feature 2 Transfer 4

First E Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
49p Billy Pauch, Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ) - 44p P.J. Jones (Torrance, CA)

30 Chad Boat (Phoenix, AZ) - 1c Chad McDaniel (Concordia, KS)

7e Blake Miller (Yorba Linda, CA) – 85 Shane Hollingsworth (Lafayette, IN)

71k Cale Conley (Vienna, WV) -             29 Nick Smith (Broken Arrow, OK)

18 Donnie Trent (Honey Brook, PA) - 55T Tony Everhart (El Cajon, CA)

81 Doug Kammerzell (Arlington, WA) – 02 Matthew Rossi    (Peoria, AZ)

F Feature 1 Transfer 1 – F Feature 1 Transfer 2

F Feature 1 Transfer 3 – F Feature 1 Transfer 4

Second E Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
37J Jeff Bland, Jr. (Bloomington, IN) – 96 Cody Brewer (Choctaw, OK)

51J R.J. Johnson (Phoenix, AZ) - 81k Rob Kershaw (Oak Park, CA)

75 David Gough (Machesney Park, IL) - 99k Kevin Kierce (Reseda, CA)

7g Joe Boyles (Greenwood, MO) - 11s Chris Sheil (Englewood, CO)

9jr Derek Hagar (Marion, AR) - 25m Derrick Myers (Stonington, IL)

7a Bubba Altig (Marengo, IL) - 12h Rick Hendrix (Palmdale, CA)

F Feature 2 Transfer 1 – F Feature 2 Transfer 2

F Feature 2 Transfer 3 – F Feature 2 Transfer 4

First F Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
7 Critter Malone (Speedway, IN) - 1T Tony Roney (Herculaneum, MO)

11xs Donovan Peterson (Brookings, SD) - 20r Josh Richards (Shinnston, WV)

27 Ryan Kaplan (Chico, CA) - 5k Jeff Wimmenauer (Indianapolis, IN)

31 Donnie Lehmann (Springfield, IL) - 2g Terry Goodwin (Phoenix, AZ)

57x Jason Holt (Brownsville, IN) - 15n David Prickett (Fresno, CA)

401 Daniel Adler (E. Carondolet, IL) - 81x Shane Carson (Yukon, OK)

G Feature 1 Transfer 1 – G Feature 1 Transfer 2

G Feature 1 Transfer 3 – G Feature 1 Transfer 4

Second F Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
70 Garrett Hansen (Manhattan Beach, CA) - 39b Billy Wilburn (Mooresville, NC)

51 Brent Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) - 12z Drew Heistand (Wrightsville, PA)

25a Aaron Ott (York Springs, PA) - 2m Anthony Peterman (Crawfordsville, IN)

15d Andrew Deal (Caney, KS) - 1w Paul White (Temple, TX)

1d Dennis Rodriguez (Camarillo, CA) - 6r Jody Rosenboom (Rock Rapids, IA)

47x Jerome Rodela (El Monte, CA) - 51g P.J. Gargiulo (Morton, PA)

G Feature 2 Transfer 1 – G Feature 2 Transfer 2

G Feature 2 Transfer 3 – G Feature 2 Transfer 4

First G Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
11J Justin Melton (Flower Mound, TX) - O4 Cap Henry (Bellvue, OH)

99 Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) - 70x Andrew Elson (Carmel, IN)

83 Kurt Blackaby (Bentonville, AR) – 87 Danny Faria, Jr. (Tipton, CA)

24c Casey Riggs (Shelbyville, IN) - 10e Eli Deshaies (N. Kingstown, RI)

58 Cole Peard (Quincy, CA) - 71T Tim Pyle (Gresham, OR)

8e Murray Erickson (Odessa, TX) - 85b Jerry Bell (Sachse, TX)

H Feature 1 Transfer 1 – H Feature 1 Transfer 2

H Feature 1 Transfer 3 – H Feature 1 Transfer 4

Second G Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
2d Steve Davis (Norco, CA) – 37 Matt Mitchell (Yorba Linda, CA)

7s Shannon McQueen (Bakersfield, CA) - 33s Austin Smith (Chino Hills, CA)

7c Chris Burns (Bethany, OK) - 1az Jeff Perry (Buckeye, AZ)

35 Travis Berryhill (American Canyon, CA) - 75r Davey Ray (Loves Park, IL)

57 Kevin Studley (Plainfield, IN) - 23F J.T. Stapp (Greensburg, IN)

83h Jonathan Halford (Tulsa, OK) – 76 Kellen Conover (Sumner, IL)

H Feature 2 Transfer 1 – H Feature 2 Transfer 2

H Feature 2 Transfer 3 – H Feature 2 Transfer 4

First H Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
07x Jennifer Greenberg (Albuquerque, NM) - 10x Kelly Ferrell (Chaplin, CT)

12c Rick England (Wichita, KS) - 25k Eric Jacobsen (Santa Cruz, CA)

4F Chad Frewaldt (Kansas City, KS) - 17bb Brett Burdette (Sunman, IN)

74 Ernie Bartley III (El Cajon, CA) - 36F Frank Flud (Pryor, OK)

60 Eric Sandage (Alexander, AR) - 17m Marc Robe (Wichita, KS)

27c Tony Elliott (Warsaw, IN) - F5 Danny Stratton (Indianapolis, IN)

I Feature 1 Transfer 1 – I Feature 1 Transfer 2

I Feature 1 Transfer 3 – I Feature 1 Transfer 4

Second H Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)                                                                     
8r Ricky Ehrgott (Brownsburg, IN) - 11c Joe Cleveland (Delphos, KS)

6J Justin Barger (Montrose, NY) - 14k Henry Clarke (Villa Park, CA)

27d Danny Jennings (Norman, OK) - 31d David Budres (Beloit, WI)

88w Shane Golobic (Fremont, CA) - 85J Matt Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK)

24 Nick Foster, Jr. (San Jose, CA) - d1 Barry Lamb (Moran, KS)

11w Tim McCreadie (Watertown, NY) - 73m Tanner Mullens (Andale, KS)

I Feature 2 Transfer 1 – I Feature 2 Transfer 2

I Feature 2 Transfer 3 – I Feature 2 Transfer 4

First I Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
73T Samantha Taylor (Bonney Lake, WA) – 50 Ted Kirkpatrick (Waterloo, IA)

86c Dave Camfield, Jr. (Decatur, IL) - 11h Garrett Hood (Concordia, KS)

0 Glenn Styres (Ohsweken, ONT) – 91 Joe Duvall (Chelsea, OK)

34 Evan Sewell (Tulsa, OK) - 67x Landon Simon (Tipp City, OH)

2x Doug Day (Winder, GA) - F1 French Grimes (Madison, VA)

99J Robby Josett (Agua Dulce, CA) - 86J Jim Donley (Yuma, AZ)

J Feature 1 Transfer 1 – J Feature 1 Transfer 2

J Feature 1 Transfer 3 – J Feature 1 Transfer 4

Second I Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)                                                                     
10 Will Pierce Lees Summit, MO) - 31c Larry Campbell (Van Buren, AR)

6e Rafe Essary (Fayetteville, AR) - 22s Brandon Spithaler (Evans City, PA)

68 Jonathan Hendrick (Fortville, IN) - 17p Cruz Pedregon (Brownsburg, IN)

37w Joe Walker (Harrisonville, MO) - 14T Tony Rossi (Brighton, CO)

64 Brett Miller (Chico, CA) – 59 Dex Eaton (Owasso, OK)

10v Viktor Sinzig (Cupertino, CA) – 98 Curtis Bailey (Bartlesville, OK)

J Feature 2 Transfer 1 – J Feature 2 Transfer 2

J Feature 2 Transfer 3 – J Feature 2 Transfer 4

First J Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
31L Chuck Knight (Fort Smith, AR) - 5a Peter Palazzolo (Pacific, MO)

31x Scott Nail (Visalia, CA) – 94 Chad DeSelle (Sun Prairie, WI)

31v Victor Davis (Simi Valley, CA) - 5m Wayne Modjeski (Oak Creek, WI)

98g Gavin Galbraith (Washington, MO) - 63n Rex Norris III (Spiceland, IN)

50T Tom Everhart (El Cajon, CA) – 77 Jimmy Winkler (Parkville, MO)

3w Brandon Waelti (Sun Prairie, WI) - 25z Chris Zrinski (Forked River, NJ)

K Feature 1 Transfer 1 – K Feature 1 Transfer 2

K Feature 1 Transfer 3 – K Feature 1 Transfer 4

Second J Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
33a Stephen Arnold (Seymour, IN) - 78c Tony Roland (Valparaiso, IN)

20b Carey Becker (Reading, PA) – 45 Aaron Kirk (Conroe, TX)

10b Brock Lemley (Bellingham, WA) - 11xc Steve Newman (Breckenridge, CO)

1x Eddie Martin (Stilwell, OK) - 9m Doug McCune (Fort Worth, TX)

21k Kurt Mayhew (Demotte, IN) - 51s Kiley Fellars (Buckeye, AZ)

10w George White (Fort Worth, TX) - O7 Billy Mentgen (Jamestown, IN)

K Feature 2 Transfer 1 – K Feature 2 Transfer 2

K Feature 2 Transfer 3 – K Feature 2 Transfer 4

First K Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)                                                                     
3a Bill Allen (Independence, MO) - 21z Jessica Zemken (Sprakers, NY)

91k Kevin Bayer (Broken Arrow, OK) – 89 Todd McVay (Lees Summit, MO)

76k Frank Ikerd (Loma Linda, MO) - 0J Johnny Murdock (Kaufman, TX)

48 Lee Little (Mustang, OK) - 61a Kevin Battles (Collinsville, OK)

11a Andrew Felker (Carl Junction, MO) - 22az Stevie Sussex (Buckeye, AZ)

6 Brian Carter (Frisco, TX) - 4r Robby Ross (St. Joseph, MO)

L Feature 1 Transfer 1 – L Feature 1 Transfer 2

L Feature 1 Transfer 3 – L Feature 1 Transfer 4

Second K Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)                                                                     
49 Brad Sweet (Grass Valley, CA) - 3F Ned Fry (W. Burlington, IA)

6m Justin Mallo (Cheyenne, WY) – 33 Scott Fennell (Littleton, CO)

10c Scott Allen (Kansas City, KS) - 1k Ron Kuhn (Lees Summit, MO)

92r Jake Rosario (Guthrie, OK) - 18a Floyd Alvis (San Carlos, CA)

7J Eric Todd (Falcon, MO) - 21J John Lowrey (Bakersfield, CA)

35p Tim Spurgeon (San Ramon, CA) - 11b Scotty Weir (Marion, IN)

L Feature 2 Transfer 1 – L Feature 2 Transfer 2

L Feature 2 Transfer 3 – L Feature 2 Transfer 4

Chili Bowl Nationals Tim McCreadie Update
 
TULSA, Okla. (January 15, 2009) -- After riding out one of the most spectacular flips in Chili Bowl Nationals history, New York's Tim McCreadie is recuperating from injuries at a Tulsa-area hospital.

McCreadie suffered a fractured T-3 vertebra and has floating fragments after the incident that occurred while leading Wednesday night's first qualifying race.  Noted specialist Dr. Terry Trammel was scheduled to consult with the local specialist on Thursday afternoon.

The 2007 Chili Bowl Nationals winner and World of Outlaws Late Model champion has already been fitted for a back and neck brace and will face substantial medical and recovery expenses in the coming months without the benefit of health insurance.

Currently, Kevin Miller, Jason Smith and James Spink at USAC, with the appreciation and support of Chili Bowl promoters Emmett Hahn and Lanny Edwards, have offered to help manage the many offers from the racing community to assist with McCreadie's expenses. 

Donations should be made payable to:
USAC c/o Tim McCreadie Support Fund
USAC
4910 West 16th Street
Speedway, Indiana  46224

-end-

Hines by a Nose in Thursday Chili Bowl Qualifier!

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 15, 2009) – For the second time in as many nights, it was a past Chili Bowl champion reaching victory lane at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway.  This time, it was 2005 Chili Bowl king Tracy Hines tracking down top honors in Thursday's 25-lap Warren CAT Qualifying night feature event at the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire.

The triumph before a standing-room-only crowd came by the narrowest of margins though, as Hines flashed across the finish line in the Tony Stewart Racing Kistler Chevy-powered No. 21 Chevy/Bass Pro Shops Spike just 0.12-seconds ahead of fellow Hoosier State hotshoe Dave Darland.

Also assured of a starting slot in Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event along with Hines and Darland is Illinois native and 2008 ARCA champion Justin Allgaier, who claimed the show position to lock into his third career Chili Bowl finale.  Hines and Darland will both make their eleventh career championship feature starts on Saturday night.

Hines and Darland earned the front row for Thursday's feature through heat race and qualifying action and then hinted at the close finish to follow in the opening handful of circuits, dueling for the lead in wheel-to-wheel fashion with Hines running the low line and Darland on the top shelf.

After the battle was interrupted five laps in due to a Scott Hatton spin in turn two, Hines established a grip on the lead and moved to the upper portion of the racetrack, building nearly a straightaway advantage over the ensuing laps.

Hines pace was only marginally slowed after reaching lapped traffic at the midway point, with Darland making up minimal ground as Allgaier fought off Brent Beauchamp for the third and final transfer position.

Hines' comfortable advantage went by the wayside as the caution flag flew just three laps short of the finish when Jason Meyers slid to a stop in turn three, surrendering the sixth position in the process.

After another pair of quick cautions, Darland was on Hines' tailtank for the green-white-checkered run.  And, as Hines continued to work the high line over the final two laps, Darland got perhaps his best run of the race off the bottom of turn four on the final lap.  Darland pulled alongside but fell just inches short as Hines took the checkered flag.

While Darland settled for second in the Toyota-powered Wilke-Pak Motorsports Speedway Motors No. 5 Spike, Allgaier slipped away from his chasers in the final scramble to secure third aboard Ebby Bergfield's Esslinger-powered Ethanol No. 86 Spike.

After battling each other throughout the night, including some qualifying race contact, Shane Cottle and Donnie Ray Crawford mixed it up for position much of the way in the feature event.  Trading positions several times in the closing circuits, Cottle got the edge on the final lap to claim fourth with Crawford rounding out the top five.

Beauchamp got shuffled back to sixth in the final two-lap dash to the checkered flag, with Glenn Carson in seventh.  After starting outside the second row, Jesse Hockett lost a left front shock in the early going and still managed an eighth-place showing.

Nathan High claimed ninth, with Jay Drake's first full night of competition behind the wheel in more than two years netted a tenth-place finish after starting 17th.

Among Thursday's heat race winners that also included Frank Polimeda, Rob Russell, Jimmy Light, Darland, Allgaier, Crawford, Cottle and Beauchamp, Drake later posted the night's second-narrowest victory when he nipped Michelle Decker by 0.023-seconds at the line in the first "B" Main.

The night's closest finish came in the third "A" qualifier when Scott Hatton edged Allgaier by just 0.009 seconds.  Other qualifying race winners included Hockett, Wise and A.J. Fike, who surrendered a fifth-row feature starting position when he made a quick trip to the work area prior to the start.

Billy Pauch, Jr., and Garrett Hansen topped the "C" Mains, with Scott Pierovich joining Drake among the ranks of "B" Main winners.

There were nine tumbles over the course of the evening, including fence-manglers by Channing Zierolf and Nick Knepper in heat race competition.  Jonathan Hendrick and Brad Sweet also got upside down in heat race action before returning for unsuccessful attempts to climb from "C" to "B" Main competition.

Scotty Weir and Dylan Peterson both got upside down in "C"Main action, with Eric Sandage, Ricky Ehrgott and Derek Hagar all flipping in the qualifiers.

The fourth and final qualifying night of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tires hits the track at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night, setting the stage for Saturday's slate of championship feature events.

Thursday Night's Warren CAT Qualifying Results from the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire

Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to two C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 2. #37J Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN; 3. #7X Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 4. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 5. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 6. #11B Scott Weir, Marion, IN; 7. #10C Scott Allen, Kansas City, KS; 8. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 9. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN

Heat 2: 1. #10R Rob Russell, Fremont, CA; 2. #21 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 3. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 4. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 5. #44 Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 6. 36X Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 7. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 8. 331V Victor Davis, Simi Valley, CA; 9. #76K Frank Ikerd, Loma Linda, CA

Heat 3: 1. #4M Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #27D Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 3. #14J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 4. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 5. #27 Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 6. #0 Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, Ont.; 7. #6Z Cody Kershaw, Oak, Park, CA; 8. #0C Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA

Heat 4: 1. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 2. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 3. #25A Aaron Ott, York Springs, PA; 4. #9JR Derek Hagar, Marion, AR; 5. #07X Jennifer Greenberg, Albuquerque, NM; 6. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 7. #2X Doug Day, Winder, GA; 8. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA

Heat 5: 1. #86 Justin Allgaier, Cornelius, NC; 2. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 3. #60 Eric Sandage, Alexander, AR; 4. #57 Kevin Studley, Plainfield, IN; 5. #38G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 6. 10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 7. #21K Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, IN; 8. #31L Chuck Knight, Fort Smith, AR

Heat 6: 1. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Tulsa, OK; 2. #15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 3. #35X Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 4. #49P Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 5. #7C Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; 6. #10B Brock Lemley, Bellingham, WA; 7. #1M Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; 8. #05X Channing Zierolf, Houma, LA

Heat 7: 1. #67 Jay Drake, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #18 Donnie Trent, Honey Brook, PA; 3. #8R Ricky Ehrgott, Brownsburg, IN; 4. #57X Jason Holt, Brownsville, IN; 5. #7J Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 6. #87C Tim Crawley, Little Rock, AR; 7. #7E Blake Miller, Yorba Linda, CA; 8. #24 Nick Foster Jr., San Jose, CA

Heat 8: 1. #1S Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 2. #75W Josh Wise, Columbus, IN; 3. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 4. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 5. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 6. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 7. #3A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 8. #50T Tom Everhart, El Cajon, CA

Heat 9: 1. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 2. #7B Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 3. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 4. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 5. #73T Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 6. #4F Chad Frewaldt, Kansas City, KS; 7. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 8. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL

C Mains (12 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #49P Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 2. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 3. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 4. #7C Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; 5. #73T Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 6. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 7. #2X Doug Day, Winder, GA; 8. #31L Chuck Knight, Fort Smith, AR; 9. #10B Brock Lemley, Bellingham, WA; 10. #50T Tom Everhart, El Cajon, CA; 11. #3A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 12. #10C Scott Allen, Kansas City, KS; 13. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 14. #11B Scott Weir, Marion, IN; 15. #1M Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS DNS – #05X Channing Zierolf, Houma, LA; #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL

C Main 2: 1. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 2. #7E Blake Miller, Yorba Linda, CA; 3. #27 Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 4. #24 Nick Foster Jr., San Jose, CA; 5. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 6. #0 Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 7. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 8. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 9. #31V Victor Davis, Simi Valley, CA; 10. #21K Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, IN; 11. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 12. #76K Frank Ikerd, Loma Linda, CA; 13. #7J Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 14. #6Z Cody Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 15. #0C Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; 16. #87C Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 17. #6X Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD

A Qualifiers (10 Laps - Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 2. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 3. #14J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 4. #7B Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 5. #35X Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 6. #10R Rob Russell, Fremont, CA; 7. #25A Aaron Ott, York Springs, PA; 8. #57X Jason Holt, Brownsville, IN; 9. #07X Jennifer Greenberg, Albuquerque, NM; 10. #60 Eric Sandage, Alexander, AR

A Qualifier 2: 1. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 2. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 3. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 4. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 5. #4M Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #44 Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #8G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 8. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 9. #9JR Derek Hagar, Marion, AR; 10. #8R Rick Ehrgott, Brownsburg, IN

A Qualifier 3: 1. #15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 2. #86 Justin Allgaier, Cornelius, NC; 3. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 4. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 5. #67 Jay Drake, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 7. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 8. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 9. #57 Kevin Studley, Plainfield, IN; 10. #27D Danny Jennings, Norman, OK

A Qualifier 4: 1. #75W Josh Wise, Columbus, IN; 2. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 3. #1S Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 4. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Tulsa, OK; 5. #37J Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN; 6. #7X Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 7. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 8. #18 Donnie Trent, Honey Brook, PA; 9. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 10. #4F Chad Frewaldt, Kansas City, KS

B Mains (15 Laps - Top 4 advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #67 Jay Drake, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #7X Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 3. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 4. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 5. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 6. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 7. #18 Donnie Trent, Honey Brook, PA; 8. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 9. #25A Aaron Ott, York Springs, PA; 10. #57X Jason Holt, Brownsville, IN; 11. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 12. #7C Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; 13. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 14. #07X Jennifer Greenberg, Albuquerque, NM; 15. #27D Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; DNS - #60 Eric Sandage, Alexander, AR

B Main 2: 1. #35X Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 2. #44 Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 4. #8G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 5. #37J Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN; 6. #7E Blake Miller, Yorba Linda, CA; 7. #9JR Derek Hagar, Marion, PA; 8. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 9. #27 Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 10. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 11. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 12. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 13. #57 Kevin Studley, Plainfield, IN; 14. #8R Rick Ehrgott, Brownsburg, IN; 15. #4F Chad Frewaldt, Kansas City, KS; 16. #24 Nick Foster Jr., San Jose, CA

A Main (25 laps – Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
1. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 2. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 3. #86 Justin Allgaier, Cornelius, NC; 4. #1S Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 5. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Tulsa, OK; 6. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 7. #26 Glen Carson, Concord, CA; 8. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 9. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 10. #67 Jay Drake, Brownsburg, IN; 11. #7B Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 12. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 13. #75W Josh Wise, Columbus, IN; 14. #35X Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 15. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 16. #15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 17. #44 Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 18. #14J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 19. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 20. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 21. #7X Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 22. #8G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 23. #4M Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 24. #10R Rob Russell, Fremont, CA

-end-

Kuhn Captures Chili Bowl Opener in Final Corner!

Sammy Swindell Wins Race of Champions
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 13, 2009) – The 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire kicked off in the most dramatic of fashions at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway on Tuesday night as Brad Kuhn slipped around Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., in the final pair of corners to win the 25-lap O'Reilly Qualifying feature event.

Collecting his second Chili Bowl preliminary feature win in as many years, Indiana's Kuhn locked himself into Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event along with Memphis-area shoe Stenhouse and third-place finisher Steve Buckwalter of Royersford, PA.

"I didn't think I had the patience to do it 25 laps (run the bottom), thankfully Ricky didn't," Kuhn commented afterward.

While 67 drivers battled it out on the first of four Chili Bowl qualifying nights, four-time Chili Bowl king Sammy Swindell fought off a late bid from Tim McCreadie to win the 20-lap Race of Champions.

Kuhn's triumph in the nightcap main event, which assures him a starting berth among the front two rows of his fourth career Chili Bowl championship main event, came at the expense of open wheel grad and rising NASCAR star Stenhouse, who had paced 22 circuits and survived a scrape with fellow Memphis-area native Kevin Swindell along the way.

"When Kevin got up there on the outside and they got together, I think Ricky started searching more and that's what opened the door up," Kuhn commented.

After chasing Buckwalter to the stripe in his heat race after starting from the pole and then climbing from seventh to third in his qualifier, Kuhn gridded the feature field inside the fifth row aboard the Toyota-powered RW Motorsports No. 17b Beast.

The two-time National Midget Driver of the Year spent minimal mid-pack time though, cracking the top three by the time two laps were in the books.  And after a rousing final set of ten laps, it was Kuhn's bold move to the inside of Stenhouse that netted the win.

Kuhn explained that, "I kept inching up on him, when we came off the backstretch I was kinda reserved to run second there and just be locked in to save our car but when I got such a good run off of two and I got in there, I decided, 'Well we're just gonna go for it and see what happens'."

Setting the stage for the electrifying finish, reigning Badger Midget champion Mike Hess gunned into the lead from the pole position and paced the initial two rounds before getting into turn three too hot and spinning to a stop.

Third-starter Stenhouse assumed the point and led the ensuing circuits in front of front row outside starter Casey Shuman and Kuhn, as the younger Swindell tried to make it an "All-Swindell" night after watching his father take Race of Champions honors.

Kevin Swindell's night had opened with a close heat race win over Chad McDaniel.  But a qualifying race spin after contact with McDaniel sent last year's sixth-place Chili Bowl finisher to a "B" Main that he won to earn the 17th starting slot in the feature.

Swindell wasted little time racing through the field, advancing to eighth by the time Brady Short spun with three laps in the books and then having a nifty move from fourth to second on the seventh circuit negated by a Ricky Williams spin in turn four.

The young gun from Germantown, TN, soon battled his way past Shuman and Kuhn as he set his sights on the pacesetting Stenhouse, who hails from nearby Olive Branch, MS.  The battle came to a premature end though when Stenhouse clipped the berm exiting turn four and skittered across the track with the resulting contact sending Swindell into the wall and onto the hook eleven laps short of the checkered flag.

"I just got into the berm there coming off of four and it shot me off the racetrack," Stenhouse explained of the incident.  "I tried stopping, but I didn't even know he was out there and just got into him."

With Stenhouse treading the top side of turns one and two and the bottom of three and four aboard the Esslinger-powered RFMS Racing No. 132 Spike over the final circuits, Kuhn and Shuman rode right behind waiting for an opening.  And then 11th-starting Buckwalter, who bounced back from a Race of Champions flip, rode the high side into lead contention to make it a four-way duel for the point as chief starter Roger Slack gave the five laps-to-go signal.

Kuhn finally established a grip on second and moved in on Stenhouse, setting up the picture perfect move that netted the win in front of a packed house.

"I pushed him as hard as I could and tried slowing him down, but there wasn't anything I could do," Stenhouse explained of the final corner.  "I probably should of gone to the top all the way just to see what would happen."

With Kuhn, Stenhouse and Buckwalter enjoying podium festivities, Shuman was the odd-man out as he finished one spot shy of a lock-in position by taking the checkered flag in fourth, with Bobby East rounding out the top five.

Chad Kemenah got a dose of Chili Bowl alphabet soup activity by racing to a "C" Main win, a "B" Main win and then charging to sixth in the feature event from 18th to boost his total of cars passed in Tuesday feature action to 25.

Running sixth in the early stages, Danny Lasoski rebounded from a lap eight spin in turn three to post a seventh-place showing, with Gary Taylor, USAC/CRA champion Mike Spencer and 19th-starter Terry McCarl completing the top ten.

A pair of Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year contenders made the feature cut on Tuesday night with POWRi Midget shoe Daniel Robinson claiming 14th and Pennsylvania teen Cody Darrah credited with 23rd after an opening lap tangle that forced him pitside along with Hunter Schuerenberg.

Stenhouse, Shuman, Brady Short and Caleb Armstrong all doubled up with heat race and qualifying race wins, with other heat races topped by P.J. Gargiulo, Buckwalter, Kellen Conover, Taylor and K. Swindell.

After a cut left rear tire derailed an apparent heat race victory drive, Danny Stratton won the first "C" Main before once again becoming an early casualty in the "B" Main won by K. Swindell.

Davey Ray held down a transfer position in the first "B" Main until a battery came off his mount and he lost power on the white flag lap.

After drawing the pole position for the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, Sammy Swindell gunned into the lead at the outset and held a commanding lead much of the way.  It took a late caution after Steve Buckwalter's turn two flip to give his chasers hope.

Tim McCreadie briefly slid in front of Swindell to lead lap 17, but Swindell charged back by and paced the final three circuits to score the win in front of Dave Darland, McCreadie, Jay Drake and J.J. Yeley.

There were thirteen flips over the course of the night, with a Doug McCune-Chris Zrinski double tumble exiting turn four in the night's first "C" Main the most spectacular as Zrinski put the fence repair crew to work in short order.  There were no injuries.

Tuesday Night's O'Reilly Qualifying Results from the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire

Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #51G P.J. Gargiulo, Morton, PA; 2. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 3. #89C Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 4. #11T Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 5. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 6. #86J Jim Donley, Yuma, AZ; 7. #39H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 8. #22S Brandon Spithaler, Evans City, PA.

Heat 2: 1. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 2. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 3. #10E Eli Deshaies, N. Kingstown, RI; 4. #7R Paul McMahan, Nashville, TN; 5. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 6. #63N Rex Norris III, Spiceland, IN; 7. #81X Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 8. #4R Robby Ross, St. Joseph, MO.

Heat 3: 1. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 2. #82 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 3. #71S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 4. #85B Jerry Bell, Sachse, TX; 5. #12Z Drew Heistand, Wrightsville, PA; 6. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 7. #5T Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK; 8. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO.

Heat 4: 1. #37K Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 2. #75R Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 3. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 4. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 5. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 6. #29 Nick Smith, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #45 Aaron Kirk, Conroe, TX; 8. #14K Henry Clarke, Villa Park, CA.

Heat 5: 1. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 2. #02 Matthew Rossi, Peoria, AZ; 3. #70X Andrew Elson, Carmel, IN; 4. #36F Frank Flud, Pryor, OK; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #67X Landon Simon, Tipp City, OH; 7. #98 Curtis Bailey, Bartlesville, OK; 8. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN.

Heat 6: 1. #132 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 2. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 3. #81K Rob Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 4. #11S Chris Sheil, Englewood, CO; 5. #61A Kevin Battles, Collinsville, OK; 6. #9m Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX.

Heat 7: 1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 3. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 4. #25K Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz, CA; 5. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 6. #33 Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; 7. #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA.

Heat 8: 1. #67S Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 2. #71R Keith Rauch, Thornton, CO; 3. #24D Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 4. #12H Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, CA; 5. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 6. #07 Billy Mentgen, Jamestown, IN; 7. #89 Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO.

Heat 9: #55C Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 2. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 3. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 4. #73M Tanner Mullens, Andale, KS; 5. #25Z Chris Zrinski, Forked River, NJ; 6. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 7. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA.

C Mains (12 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 3. #81X Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 4. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 5. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 6. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 7. #86J Jim Donley, Yuma, AZ; 8. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 9. #9M Doug McCune, Fort Worth; 10. #25Z Chris Zrinski, Forked River, NJ; 11. #89 Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 12. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 13. #4R Robby Ross, St. Joseph, MO. DNS - #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA.

C Main 2: 1. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 2. #39H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 3. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 4. #14K Henry Clarke, Villa Park, CA; 5. #22S Brandon Spithaler, Evans City, PA; 6. #67X Landon Simon, Tipp City, OH; 7. #98 Curtis Bailey, Bartlesville, OK; 8. #45 Aaron Kirk, Conroe, TX; 9. #63N Rex Norris III, Spiceland, IN; 10. #07 Billy Mentgen, Jamestown, IN; 11. #33 Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; 12. #61A Kevin Battles, Collinsville, OK; DNS – Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK.

Chili Bowl Race of Champions Voting Concludes
 
Outcome in Dispute

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 10, 2009) – At-large voting to determine the final two starters in next Tuesday night's Race of Champions at the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire concluded late Friday night.

But the apparent outcome that would have Steve Buckwalter and Tony Elliott added to the star-studded field that includes eight past Chili Bowl winners at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway is under dispute, with federal and international officials investigating the final outcome.

After two preliminary rounds of on-line voting at www.chilibowl.com that attracted approximately 40,000 votes during each of the periods extending from December 18-24 and December 25-31, the final round of voting ran from January 1 through 11:00 p.m. CST January 9.  And with more than 800,000 votes cast during that nine-day span, federal officials took notice and demanded an inquiry into the results.

"It's one thing to have the occasional fraudulent presidential election, that's something that just happens every decade or so," a member of the Department of Justice commented on an anonymous basis from his Mediterranean island estate.  "But to have any chicanery in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions voting process is a slap in the face of democracy, we simply must get to the bottom of it!"

Pennsylvania's Steve Buckwalter was the week's top vote-getter, receiving over 244,000 of the 803,042 votes cast, or 30%.  Tony Elliott was next with 26% followed by Matt Westfall (14%), Shane Cottle (13%), Brad Kuhn (12%) and Davey Ray (5%).

Buckwalter's total is the equivalent of each resident of his home borough of Royersford, PA, boasting a population of approximately 4,300, voting for him 56 times apiece.  It's a total that has even drawn international attention.

"There is something that is not quite right," commented the Jamaican member of the International Olympic Committee who also spearheaded the Jamaican bobsled effort some years ago.  "I admittedly know little about racing midgets, but since we only work once every couple of years we have some resources available to assist in this investigation."

The Chili Bowl Race of Champions already includes past event winners Sammy Swindell, Cory Kruseman, Tracy Hines, Tim McCreadie, Jay Drake, Damion Gardner, Scott Hatton and Johnny Heydenreich along with perennial Chili Bowl contenders Kasey Kahne, Dave Darland, J.J. Yeley and Jason Leffler.

Two at-large candidates, possibly Steve Buckwalter and Tony Elliott pending the investigation of the voting, will be added to the Tuesday night event.  The 20-lap Chili Bowl Race of Champions will be included on Tuesday night's Qualifying card, which will feature approximately 75 of the event record 293 entries.
 
"We just have a few days to act on this," a federal investigator explained.  "The Blagojevich scandal, the economy and all those other issues can wait, we'll get to this bottom of this."

Chili Bowl officials are cooperating with the investigation and expect to have the outcome decided in time for Tuesday night's Race of Champions.

A limited number of tickets remain for the Tuesday night event that kicks off the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway for just $26 each by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.

Additional information regarding the Chili Bowl Nationals is available at www.chilibowl.com.

-end- 

Chili Bowl 2009 – Star Studded Field Flocks to Tulsa!
 
Action Starts Tuesday!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 8, 2009) – The talent pool runs deep at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.  And with a record total of 293 entries already submitted for next week's 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, how could it not?

 The best of the Bowl season takes place next Tuesday through Saturday at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway as racing teams from 30 different states as well as Canada battle it out for Chili Bowl bragging rights atop the ¼-mile clay oval in front of a packed house.

Champions from all variety of motorsports, including Sprint Cars, Midgets, Late Models, Modifieds and even Drag Racing are also represented among the current crop of entries.

With the announcement that Temecula, California's Mike Spencer will fill the seat of the Bernie Stuebgen No. 71s entry, teaming with fellow Stuebgen entries for four-time ASCS National champion Gary Wright and Nebraska shoe Don Droud, Jr., no fewer than 27 series and track champions for 2008 will be among next week's Chili Bowl field.  Spencer captured the 2008 USAC/CRA Sprint Car championship.

The 2008 track and series champions represented among this year's Chili Bowl field includes the following:

0  - Glenn Styres (SOS Sprint Cars)

1az – Jeff Perry (AMRA Midgets)

4m – Jimmy Light (Lawrenceburg Speedway Non-Wing Sprint Cars)

5 – Dave Darland (Sprint Bandits TNT)

5m – Wayne Modjeski (MSA Sprint Cars)

05s – Jon Stanbrough (King of Indiana Sprint Series)

05L – Danny Lasoski (Knoxville Raceway Sprint Cars)

6r – Jody Rosenboom (Huset's Speedway Sprint Cars)

6x – Dylan Peterson (Rapid Speedway-Heartland Racing Association Sprint Cars)

7x – Michelle Decker (State Fair Speedway Champ Sprint Cars)

11 – Jerry Coons, Jr. (USAC Sprint Cars and USAC Silver Crown)

11a - Andrew Felker (ASCS2 Non-Wing Micro Sprints)

14T – Tony Rossi (RMMRA Midgets)

17p – Cruz Pedregon (NHRA Funny Cars)

24 – Nick Foster, Jr. (BCRA Midgets)

27d – Danny Jennings (State Fair Speedway Super Sprint Cars)

55c – Caleb Armstrong (USAC Kenyon Midgets)

36 – Jonathan Beason (SMRS Midgets)

40 – Nic Faas (USAC Western States Midgets)

71 – Cole Whitt (USAC Midgets – National)

71s – Mike Spencer (USAC/CRA Sprint Cars)

71T – Tim Pyle (NOMA Midgets)

82 – Mike Hess (Badger Midgets)

86 – Justin Allgaier (ARCA/Remax Stock Car Series)

87c – Tim Crawley (Mid-South Sprint Cars)

97J – Jerry Higbie, Jr. (Orange County Fair Speedway 358 Modifieds)

99k – Kevin Kierce (VRA Sprint Cars)

At least another 50 drivers have captured track or series championships in past years, a list that includes but is not limited to Sammy Swindell (WoO), J.J. Yeley (USAC), Garry Lee Maier (ASCS & NCRA), Shane Cottle (Kokomo), Paul White (USAC Silver Crown), Thomas Meseraull (BCRA Midgets), Wayne Johnson (ASCS), Damion Gardner (USAC/CRA), Bobby East (USAC Midgets), Gary Taylor (ASCS Rocky Mountain / SMRS), Brad Loyet (POWRi Midgets), Jesse Hockett (Sprint Bandits TNT), Joe Boyles (SMRS Midgets), Kevin Ramey (ASCS Sooner & Devil's Bowl), Greg Wilson (All Star Sprint Cars), Chad Kemenah (All Star Sprint Cars), Bud Kaeding (USAC Silver Crown), Brock Lemley (Skagit), Chris Sheil (RMMRA Midgets), Terry McCarl (Knoxville), Tim McCreadie (WoO Late Model), Rick England (SMRS), Rick Hendrix (USAC Western States), Scott Hatton (Badger), Brad Kuhn (Badger), Mike Goodman (OCRS), Justin Grant (BCRA), Floyd Alvis (BCRA), Levi Jones (USAC Sprint Car), Tracy Hines (USAC), Kevin Olson (USAC Midget), Glenn Carson (BCRA), Donnie Lehmann (Midgets), Jeff Bland, Jr. (Bloomington), Jason Leffler (USAC Midget), Aaron Kirk (SSMA), Cory Kruseman (USAC/CRA – SCRA), Jay Drake (USAC Sprint Car), Keith Rauch (ASCS Rocky Mountain, RMMRA), Gary Wright (ASCS), Josh Wise (USAC Midget), Shane Carson (NCRA), Jerry Bell (ASCS Gulf South), Johnny Rodriguez (USAC Western States Midget). 

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Chili Bowl 2009 – Just One More Week!
 
Entry Count Soars to 293
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 6, 2009) -- One more week.  

That's all that remains before the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire gets under way at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway.
 
Following next Monday's practice session, five full nights of racing ensue on Tuesday through Saturday, January 13-17, as drivers from the nation converge upon the Tulsa State Fairgrounds in pursuit of the coveted Golden Driller trophy.
 
And the entry count has climbed into uncharted territory, reaching the 293 mark and putting last year's record competitor count of 274 in serious jeopardy of going by the wayside.
 
The number of states represented, in addition to the Canadian province of Ontario, has climbed to 30 with the addition of Louisiana's Channing Zierolf, who fills the fifth and final Loyet Motorsports mount.  With the likes of Danny Lasoski, Jon Stanbrough, Jesse Hockett and Brad Loyet in the other No. 05 Midgets, the Loyet team rivals other super-teams with only the Keith Kunz Motorsports team fielding more entries with six.
 
Among the latest developments, Sprint Car shoe Terry McCarl has been assigned to the No. 11T Wilke-Pak Motorsports entry, filling out a power team that includes USAC Triple Crown winners Dave Darland and Jerry Coons, Jr., along with 2006 Chili Bowl champion Tim McCreadie.
 
McCarl will join a stout Tuesday night Qualifying card that includes the likes of Danny Lasoski, Brad Kuhn, Kevin Swindell, Davey Ray, Paul McMahan, Badger Midget champion Mike Hess and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., among others. 
 
The Chili Bowl Race of Champions will also be featured during the Tuesday night qualifying card, which is the only night for which tickets remain.
 
Sixty-seven of the entered drivers have started at least one Chili Bowl championship main event in the past, while today's entry list addition of Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car shoe Nick Smith brings the number of Rookie contenders to 67.
 
Following Tuesday night's qualifying action, qualifying night competition follows on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with a full card of championship events to culminate with the Saturday night, January 17, 50-lap Chili Bowl championship feature event.
 
Additional Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire Information:
 
What: 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire
 
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway  ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
 
When: 
January 13-17, 2009
Tuesday  Qualifying Night plus Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday  Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Friday  Qualifying Night
Saturday  Championship Feature Events
 
Past Winners:  Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), 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).
 
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777. 

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Davey Ray Enters Chili Bowl Nationals for Cruz Pedregon Racing

Jan. 5th, 2009 - Davey Ray of Davenport, Iowa will drive for newly crowned NHRA Funny Car Champion, Cruz Pedregon, in the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.

Ray will be behind the wheel of the No. 75r entry equipped with a Spike chassis and Toyota engine.  

Ray triumphed in 2007 claiming the Creek Nation’s Casino preliminary night feature event at the nationals.  He has been a consistent threat for the title as he battled over 200 entries in past years.  Ray has qualified for the event four times and has placed as high as 8th in the Saturday night finale and earned the “Rookie of the Race” award in 2002.  Currently there are over 260 cars entered for the race being held January 13th-17th in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Ray will be joined by teammate, Josh Wise, along with Cruz himself, who is entered in another car for the event.  Each and every driver will bring their best game to the Tulsa Expo Center with the same goal in mind.  This week of action packed racing is stacked with enough excitement to get every open wheel die hard fan through the slow winter months of the off season.  

Ray is also eligible to be voted in by the fans to compete in Tuesday night’s special attraction, the Race of Champions.  Already included in the prestigious race are past event winners Jay Drake, Damion Gardner, Scott Hatton, Tracy Hines, Cory Kruseman, Tim McCreadie and Sammy Swindell along with Kasey Kahne, J.J. Yeley, Jason Leffler and Dave Darland.  Fans can vote for Ray on www.chilibowl.com from January 1st through January 9th.  The pair of drivers accumulating the most votes in the final round will be extended invitations to compete in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions.

For more information, please visit, www.daveyray.com, www.pedregonracing.com, www.chilibowl.com 

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Brett Miller Chili Bowl bound after graduating Fire Academy/ Butte Humane Society donation PR

Brett Miller backs it into the turn at the Chili Bowl in 2008.  Photo © Michael Hill

By Gary Thomas

Chico, California – January 3, 2009…After running a very limited schedule during the later parts of this most recent season Chico, California’s Brett Miller is set to kick off his 2009 campaign with the upcoming 23rd annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

This past year saw Miller take college classes as well as take part in the California Regional Fire Academy in Sacramento. Due to that the 19 year-old was forced to run very sporadically during the last half of the season, in fact was only able to compete a couple times from August until the end of the year.

Miller, who also had part of his summer occupied by helping to fight the fires that had engulfed the surrounding Chico area, graduated from the California Regional Fire Academy on December 13. “It was a grind, but it feels good to have completed the academy and it was a great experience and something I definitely feel that I can take with me,” Miller said. 

With the Chili Bowl fast approaching Miller got in some practice time this past Thursday during an open play day at Cycleland Speedway. Miller will once again be driving the Fauver Race Ready Rentals, Care Free Pools No. 64 midget in the Chili Bowl. At the Cycleland playday he was able to get in three practice sessions as Rod Fauver and the team gets everything fine tuned for the huge event. 

This will mark Miller’s second attempt at the prestigious Chili Bowl and he’s excited to hit the track for his qualifying night on Thursday January 15. “Last year was a lot of fun and with the added experience of running it before I think we’ll be that much more prepared for it this year,” Miller commented. “The midget felt good at playday so I can’t wait to hit the track in less than a couple weeks.” 

Last season also saw Miller get some good ink in Bobby Gerould’s positivity column recapping the Chili Bowl. “Brett Miller impressed during his Saturday afternoon racing. Miller ripped the top of the track and passed cars like a veteran even though it was his first try at it," Gerould said following the 22nd running of the event last year.

The former Golden State Challenge Series, Silver Dollar Speedway and Civil War Series Rookie of the Year will look for a successful qualifying night to give him as many points as possible towards Saturday’s starting line-ups. With nearly 300 entries it will make the qualifying nights extremely critical in having any hopes of making the A-main event come Saturday evening. This year will also see good friend and wingless spec sprint ace Taylor Simas heading back to Tulsa to help out Miller in the pits. Action at the Chili Bowl kicks off on Tuesday January 13 with the opening prelim night that will kick off the five day event. 

Butte Humane Society Donation:

This past season also saw Miller and Care Free Pools Racing raise money for the Butte Humane Society throughout the year. With Miller being out of town however, he hadn’t had the opportunity to present the money until this past week when he and Grandpa Bill went down to the Society and presented them with a $3,000 check. 

During Care Free Pools Night at Silver Dollar Speedway on August 1 Miller and the team collected $2,000 alone thanks to the generosity of everyone on hand. “I just want to thank everyone who helped and donated throughout the entire year cause we really do appreciate it a ton,” Miller said. 

In addition to collecting the money during the evening on Care Free Pools Night, Miller also went out and won the 25 lap main event, holding off two-time track champ Andy Forsberg to pick up his third career 410 sprint car victory. It also happened to be the final time Miller was able to compete in a race last season, as engine problems forced him to scratch following hot laps during the 17th annual Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals at Chico in October. 

For more news and info on Chico, CA’s Brett Miller please visit http://www.brettmillerracing.net and for more info on the 23rd annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals log onto http://www.chilibowl.com 

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National Sprint Car Museum Staff Prepares for 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

Knoxville, Iowa (December 31, 2008)  –  Staff members at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum are busy preparing for their annual trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the 23rd Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, presented by General Tire. Race fans may visit the museum display booth, located in the trade show area of the Quik Trip Center at the Expo Square, on Monday, January 12, thru Saturday, January 17, 2009.  The annual museum-benefit auction will take place on Thursday, January 15, at 12 Noon in the main grandstand area, and it is again free and open to the general public.

Museum staff members will be on hand to answer questions and convey information about the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, including information about the membership program, the museum store, the recent addition of the Library & Research Center, and construction plans for the Pella Corporation National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Theatre on the second floor.  Information will also be available about the benefits of planned giving and other options that will secure the financial future of the 501(c)(3) non-profit National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Foundation.  Those stopping by the Hall of Fame booth will also be able to purchase select hard- and soft-bound motorsports books, including the recently published “Win It or Wear It” by author Joyce Standridge.  

On Thursday, January 15, in conjunction with the 23rd annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum will conduct its eleventh annual museum-benefit auction.  The auction will again be held in the main grandstand area, just behind turns three and four of the indoor dirt track, and the auction will start promptly at 12 Noon.  Bidders are encouraged to come early to look over the unique auction items.  The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Chili Bowl auction will feature special one-of-a-kind racing memorabilia and collectables, including die-cast cars, artwork, photos and apparel.  Many of the items have been autographed by some of the biggest names in racing's past and present.

Proceeds from the Thursday afternoon museum-benefit auction will support the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, allowing it to continue “promoting the future while preserving the past history of sprint car racing”.  Also, as in the past ten years, the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum will donate 10% of the proceeds from the auction to the official charity of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, the Parent Child Center of Tulsa.  Payment methods for auction items include cash, check, or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover Card).

For additional information about the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, individuals can either call the museum phone number (1-800-874-4488) or log onto the web site at www.sprintcarhof.com.  Those interested in making a purchase in the museum store are encouraged to call the toll-free number or log onto www.sprintcarstuff.com.

For additional information about the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, presented by General Tire, fans are encouraged to log onto the event's official web site at www.chilibowl.com.  Event promoters Lanny Edwards and Emmett Hahn are both honored inductees of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa.

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Chili Bowl Qualifying Nights Unveiled!
 
281 Entries Divvied Up Over Four Qualifying Nights
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 23, 2008) – As winter establishes its grip over much of the nation just in time for the holidays, the tension continues to mount as the kickoff of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire is just three weeks away.

And with a staggering 281 entries from 29 different states as well as Canada already filed for the event set for January 13-17, 2009, at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway, the qualifying night assignments have been determined.

The stellar field, including eight past Chili Bowl champions and numerous track and series champions from throughout the country, has been quartered and distributed among the four Qualifying nights running from Tuesday through Friday.  The top three finishers from each night's main event will be locked into the Saturday night, January 17, 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event with the balance of Saturday's feature lineups determined by qualifying night finishing positions.

A glance at each night's qualifying lineups is as follows:

Tuesday, January 13 – O'Reilly Qualifying Night

The week kicks off in grand style with winged Sprint Car ace Danny Lasoski (three-time Chili Bowl runner-up), wingless Sprint Car shoe Shane Cottle and two-time National Midget Driver of the Year Brad Kuhn among a stellar cast of O'Reilly Qualifying Night competitors.

In addition to 70 or so drivers officially initiating the clay inside the QuikTrip Center, the Chili Bowl Race of Champions is also included on Tuesday night's card.

Past Feature Starters (16):  Danny Lasoski (14), Shane Cottle (5), Shane Carson (4), Donnie Lehmann (4), Davey Ray (4), Steve Buckwalter (3), Rick Hendrix (3), Bud Kaeding (3), Brad Kuhn (3), Chad DeSelle (2), Mike Hess (2), Casey Shuman (2), Paul McMahan (1), Bobby Michnowicz (1), Kevin Swindell (1), Paul White (1).

2008 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters:  S. Cottle, K. Swindell, D. Ray, B. Michnowicz, B. Kuhn, B. Altig. 

Pick Six - Trying to Crack Saturday's Feature:  Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Gary Taylor, Brady Short, Chad Kemenah, Hunter Schuerenberg, Dustin Morgan.

Rookies (17):  Jerry Bell, Henry Clarke, Cody Darrah, Eli Deshaies, Jim Donley, Mark Dotson, Andrew Elson, Frank Flud, P.J. Gargiulo, Drew Heistand, Rob Kershaw, Tanner Mullens, Daniel Robinson, Landon Simon, Brandon Spithaler, Nick Wagner, Chris Zrinski.

On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts:  Donnie Lehmann 19, Danny Lasoski 17, Rick Hendrix 10, Mike Hess 10, Aaron Kirk 10.

Tuesday's Entries:  http://www.chilibowl.com/2009qualtue.asp

Also, Tuesday's Chili Bowl Race of Champions information is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/rocataglance.asp.

Wednesday, January 14 – Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night

Four-time Chili Bowl king Sammy Swindell, 2006 winner Tim McCreadie and 1990 victor Johnny Heydenreich headline a loaded Wednesday night lineup that includes that likes of J.J. Yeley, Jon Stanbrough and Kemper conqueror Bryan Clauson among others.

Josh Ford cashed in on last year's Creek Nation Casino qualifier for the second time in four years.

Past Feature Starters (16):  Sammy Swindell (15), Kevin Olson (10), J.J. Yeley (5), Jon Stanbrough (4), Gary Wright (4), Joe Boyles (3), Johnny Heydenreich (3), Tim McCreadie (3), Bubba Altig (2), Josh Ford (2), Brady Bacon (1), Bryan Clauson (1), Levi Jones (1), Johnny Rodriguez (1), Brandon Waelti (1), Chris Windom (1).  

2008 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters:  B. Clauson, J. Stanbrough, K. Swindell, B. Bacon, L. Jones, J. Ford.

Pick Six - Trying to Crack Saturday's Feature:  Darren Hagen, Chad Boat, Shane Golobic, Kevin Ramey, Nick Wean, Matt Sherrell.

Rookies (16):  Justin Barger, Cale Conley, Bruce Douglass, Nic Faas, Gavin Galbraith, Justin Grosz, Shane Hmiel, Doug Kammerzell, Brock Lemley, Donovan Peterson, Casey Riggs, Jacob Rosario, Tim Spurgeon, Kevin Studley, Brent Swift, Austin Wheatley.  

On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts:  Sammy Swindell 18, Johnny Heydenreich 17, Kevin Olson 16, Dave Camfield, Jr. 14, J.J. Yeley 12, Gary Wright 11, Joe Boyles 10.

Wednesday's Entries:  http://www.chilibowl.com/2009qualwed.asp

Thursday, January 15 – Warren CAT Qualifying Night
 
Damion Gardner begins his quest to become the first back-to-back Chili Bowl champion in Thursday night's Warren CAT Qualifier, with other heavy hitters including past Chili Bowl champs Tracy Hines, Scott Hatton and Jay Drake along with USAC Triple Crown champ Jerry Coons, Jr., and reigning Belleville Midget Nationals king Brad Sweet among others.

Past Feature Starters (16):  Tracy Hines (10), Jerry Coons, Jr. (9), Scott Hatton (8), Jay Drake (7), Justin Allgaier (2), Don Droud, Jr. (2), Damion Gardner (2), Garrett Hansen (2), Critter Malone (2), Donnie Ray Crawford (1), A.J. Fike (1), David Gough (1), Jonathan Hendrick (1),  Nathan High (1), Jesse Hockett (1), Jason Meyers (1).

2008 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters:  D. Gardner, T. Hines, N. High, J. Hockett, J. Coons.

Pick Six - Trying to Crack Saturday's Feature:  Brad Sweet, Tim Crawley, Jeff Bland, Jr., Billy Pauch, Jr., Scott Pierovich, Frank Polimeda.

Rookies (13):  Victor Davis, Ricky Ehrgott, Nick Foster, Jr., Chad Frewaldt, Jennifer Greenberg, Eric Jacobsen, Danny Jennings, Chuck Knight, Chad Olsen, Aaron Ott, Dylan Peterson, Eric Sandage, Viktor Sinzig.  

On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts:  Scott Hatton 16, Critter Malone 16, Bill Allen 14, Tracy Hines 12, Jerry Coons, Jr. 11, Jay Drake 11, A.J. Fike 10.

Thursday's Entries:  http://www.chilibowl.com/2009qualthu.asp

Friday, January 16 – Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night

One of just three multiple-time Chili Bowl champions, Cory Kruseman leads a Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night charge that includes NASCAR Sprint Cup star Kasey Kahne, Nationwide ace Jason Leffler, USAC Triple Crown champion Dave Darland and reigning USAC Midget champion Cole Whitt among others.

Past Feature Starters (15):  Dave Darland (11), Jason Leffler (10), Cory Kruseman (8), Kasey Kahne (5), Matt Westfall (5), Tony Elliott (4), Rich Camfield (2), Bobby East (2), Wayne Johnson (2), Josh Wise (2), Shane Hollingsworth (1), Mat Neely (1), Daryn Pittman (1), Billy Wease (1), Cole Whitt (1).

2008 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters:  D. Darland, C. Whitt, J. Leffler, B. Wease, K. Kahne.

Pick Six - Trying to Crack Saturday's Feature:  Brad Loyet, Joey Saldana, Jonathan Beason, Trey Robb, Jerry Higbie, Jr., and Cody Brewer on the Offy look alone.

Rookies (14):  Brett Burdette, Danny Faria, Jr., Ned Fry, Dusty Heistand, Cap Henry, Julee Jamison, Kevin Kierce, John Lowery, Richard McCormick, Peter Palazzolo, Tim Pyle, J.T. Stapp, Greg Wilson, Jeff Wimmenauer.

On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts:  Rich Camfield 18, Steve Newman 17, Jason Leffler 12, Tony Elliott 11, Cory Kruseman 11, Johnny Murdock 11, Dave Darland 10, Tim Siner 10, Matt Westfall 10.

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Fans to Determine Chili Bowl Race of Champions At-Large Starters
 
On-Line Voting Begins December 18
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 17, 2008) – The 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire will feature an added attraction, as the five-night event will be augmented with the Chili Bowl Race of Champions.
 
And, race fans around the world will have the opportunity over the next several weeks to determine the final pair of starters for the Tuesday night, January 13, Race of Champions event via voting at http://www.chilibowl.com/.
 
For those that missed out on tickets for the rest of the week or haven't had an opportunity to experience the Chili Bowl in person, it's an excellent opportunity as a limited number of tickets remain for the Tuesday night card.  In addition to the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, a full field of approximately 70 competitors will battle it out through a full slate of racing action including heats, qualifiers and feature events.
 
Already included in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions are past event winners Jay Drake, Damion Gardner, Scott Hatton, Tracy Hines, Cory Kruseman, Tim McCreadie and Sammy Swindell along with Kasey Kahne, J.J. Yeley, Jason Leffler and Dave Darland.
 
Now, it's up to the fans to determine the final two drivers that will go for the glory and the $2,500 winner's share in the 20-lap Chili Bowl Race of Champions.
 
Excluding those drivers already in the Race of Champions, another 16 drivers entered in the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals have made three or more Chili Bowl championship main event starts over the course of their career.  And, those are the drivers that have been deemed eligible for the "At-Large" starting berths.
 
The 16 candidates will be placed in two groups of eight, with fans voting on the first group from December 18 through 24 and then the second group from December 25 through December 31.  The top three in voting from each group will move to the Final Round of voting, which takes place January 1 through January 9.
 
The pair of drivers accumulating the most votes in the final round will be extended invitations to compete in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions.  If one of the elected drivers is unable to participate for any reason, the invitation will transfer to the next driver in the voting results.
 
Those drivers in Group A, which will be voted on from December 18 through December 24, include Brad Kuhn, Danny Lasoski, Donnie Lehmann, Gary Wright, Joe Boyles, Matt Westfall, Shane Carson and Shane Cottle.
 
Those drivers in Group B, which will be voted on from December 25 through December 31, include Bud Kaeding, Davey Ray, Jerry Coons, Jr., Jon Stanbrough, Kevin Olson, Rick Hendrix, Steve Buckwalter and Tony Elliott.
 
A limited number of tickets remain for the Tuesday night, January 13, O'Reilly Qualifying Night event that also includes the Chili Bowl Race of Champions for just $26 apiece.  Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
 
Currently, the Chili Bowl office has been flooded with 269 entries, putting last year's record mark of 274 competitors in jeopardy.
 
Chili Bowl Race of Champions at a Glance:
 
Who's Already In:
 
Dave Darland (Lincoln, IN)
Jay Drake (Brownsburg, IN)
Damion Gardner (Pittsboro, IN)
Scott Hatton (Roscoe, IL)
Tracy Hines (Newcastle, IN)
Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA)
Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA)
Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA)
Tim McCreadie (Watertown, NY)
Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN)
J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ)
 
At-Large Candidates (Top Two from Final Round will be Awarded Starting Berths):
 
Group A – Voting Open December 18 through December 24
Brad Kuhn
Danny Lasoski
Donnie Lehmann
Gary Wright
Joe Boyles
Matt Westfall
Shane Carson
Shane Cottle
 
Group B – Voting open December 25 through December 31
Bud Kaeding
Davey Ray
Jerry Coons, Jr.
Jon Stanbrough
Kevin Olson
Rick Hendrix
Steve Buckwalter
Tony Elliott
 
Note: Top three from each preliminary round of voting move to Final Round "At-Large"  voting on January 1 through January 9.

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Chili Bowl Entry Count Climbs to 223
 
Three More Past Winners File Entries!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 12, 2008) – The cast of competitors being assembled for the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire just keeps getting tougher with each passing day.

In just the past couple of days, names such as Gardner, Drake, Hatton, Cottle, Kaeding, Crawley, Altig, Pedregon and more have been added to the list of drivers entered for the event that takes place at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway on January 13-17, 2009.

And with the December 15 pre-entry deadline on the other side of the weekend, the official pre-entry count has climbed to 223 as of the close of business on Friday, December 12.

Past Chili Bowl winners Damion Gardner, Scott Hatton and Jay Drake are among the latest entries, running the total of past Chili Bowl champions entered to seven as they join four-time winner Sammy Swindell, two-time winner Cory Kruseman and single-time winners Tim McCreadie and Tracy Hines.

Defending champion Gardner will join forces with Daryl Saucier in his bid to become the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl history.  Gardner will be teamed with Kokomo shoe Shane Cottle, a third-place finisher in last year's Chili Bowl.

Coming off his 18th consecutive year among the top ten in Badger Midget points, Hatton returns to the Chili Bowl after a two-year hiatus.

Drake shakes off a two-year retirement to fill the sixth and final seat of the Keith Kunz Motorsports stable of entries.

Other drivers with past Chili Bowl championship main event starts to enter over the past two days include Johnny Rodriguez, Bud Kaeding, Brandon Waelti and Bubba Altig.

Other notables include Cruz Pedregon, who captured his second career NHRA Funny Car championship in 2008, and Tim Crawley, the three-time ASCS National champion that tallied 19 overall feature wins on the year.

Stephanie Chappell also makes a return to Chili Bowl competition, bumping the number of female racers to eight thus far.

The number of rookie contenders has expanded to 43.

The 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire kicks off Tuesday night, January 13, with the first of four qualifying nights.  Tuesday's card will also include the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, featuring past event winners and other top Chili Bowl contenders squaring off in a special feature race.

The top three finishers from the Qualifying Night features will automatically lock into the Saturday night, January 17, Chili Bowl championship feature, with the balance of Saturday's championship feature events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes. 

Originally a two-day event that attracted 52 entries in 1987, the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire has evolved into a five-night extravaganza of indoor, dirt track midget racing, and ranks among the world’s most prestigious auto racing events with the 2008 edition of the event attracting a record number of 274 competitors. 

A limited number of reserved seats remain for Tuesday night's Qualifying event and Race of Champions for just $26 apiece.  Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.

Only pit passes remain for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as those tickets were depleted in May.

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Chili Bowl Race of Champions Field Nearly Set!
 
Limited Amount of Tickets Remain for Tuesday Night Card!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 11, 2008) – The field for the Chili Bowl Race of Champions on Tuesday night, January 13, has been set.  Almost, that is.

The final pair of "at-large" starting berths for the Chili Bowl Race of Champions will be determined by the fans via an on-line voting procedure.

The Chili Bowl Race of Champions will be just one part of a stellar Tuesday night kickoff of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, a five-night racing extravaganza that takes place at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway on January 13-17, 2009.

Tuesday night will also include a full field of qualifying action, including heat races, qualifying races, "C" Mains, "B" Mains and an "A" Main, with the top three finishers in the main event locked into Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event.  It marks the first of four qualifying nights, with a full slate of championship feature events to follow on Saturday.

A limited number of tickets are available for the Tuesday night Chili Bowl Qualifier, including the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, for just $26 apiece.  Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.

The Chili Bowl Race of Champions will include a field of approximately 14 to 16 of the best racers in the world, set to slug it out atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval for 20 laps with $2,500 going to the winner and a minimum of $300 to each starter.

Already committed to the Chili Bowl Race of Champions are seven past event winners including four-time Chili Bowl king Sammy Swindell, two-time winner Cory Kruseman, Tracy Hines, Tim McCreadie, Scott Hatton, Jay Drake and defending Chili Bowl champion Damion Gardner.  Hatton returns to the Chili Bowl after a two-year absence while Drake shrugs off retirement to compete in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions as well as his 12th Chili Bowl.

Also invited to compete in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions are past USAC Triple Crown champions Dave Darland and J.J. Yeley, NASCAR Sprint Cup star Kasey Kahne and NASCAR Nationwide star Jason Leffler.

At least another pair of past event winners may throw their hat into the ring as well.

The final two starting berths in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions will be "at-large" positions.  These positions will be determined by the race fans via online voting at http://www.chilibowl.com/, with details available soon.  The only drivers among those eligible for the "at-large" berths will be those that have filed official entries by the December 15 pre-entry deadline.

The fan involvement doesn't stop there, as some lucky fans in the stands on Tuesday night will determine the starting lineup of the Chili Bowl Race of Champions by selecting some randomly marked Lucas Oil Products, in effect drawing for the starting position of the driver they've been paired with.

With the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire little more than a month away, 204 entries have already flooded the event office, putting last year's record mark of 274 competitors in the jeopardy zone.

Only pit passes remain for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as those tickets were depleted in May.

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Chili Bowl Entry Count Closes in on 200!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla.  (December 10, 2008) – With the December 15 pre-entry deadline rapidly approaching, the entry count for the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire is nearing the 200 mark as of the close of business on Wednesday.

Thus far, 189 entries representing 29 different states as well as Canada have been filed for the event that is set to take place at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway on January 13-17, 2009.

Among the group of entries that has been filed over the early portion of the week are nine past Chili Bowl championship main event starters, including Tulsa-area hotshoe Brady Bacon.

Bacon is part of the three-car Tel-Star Communications team that also includes Washington-native Gary Taylor and Donnie Ray Crawford, who finished fifth as a Chili Bowl rookie in 2007.  For Bacon, it marks a reunion with Mike and Megan Eubanks, who fielded the entry for Bacon's Chili Bowl rookie effort as a 14-year-old in 2005.

In addition to Bacon and Crawford, other past Chili Bowl championship feature starters to file entries this week include Oklahoma's Shane Carson, Nebraska's Don Droud, Jr., Wisconsin's Chad DeSelle, Arizona's Nathan High, Tennessee's Paul McMahan, Illinois' Kevin Olson and Texas' Paul White.

Also, Illinois shoe Mat Neely was named the driver of the Scooter Ellis No. 73x previously listed as a TBA, filling out a team that includes 19-year-old Samantha Taylor, a top-five finisher in 2008 ASCS Rebel Region points, and Chili Bowl rookie contenders Tanner Mullens and Austin Wheatley.  Neely finished tenth in the 2007 edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals.

Included among the latest rookies is Washington Sprint Car shoe Brock Lemley, who joins a rookie crop that currently numbers 36.  Some other notable rookie contenders thus far include two-time All Star Sprint Car champion Greg Wilson, BCRA Midget champion Nick Foster, Jr., USAC Western States Midget champion Nic Faas, and Posse Sprint Car shoes Cody Darrah and Aaron Ott among others.

New York lady racer Jessica Zemken has also joined the Chili Bowl field.  Set for her third Chili Bowl, Jessica runs the number of female competitors to seven as she joins previous event competitors Shannon McQueen, Michelle Decker, Randi Pankratz and Samantha Taylor along with rookie shoes Julee Jamison and Jennifer Greenberg.

The 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire kicks off Tuesday night, January 13, with the first of four qualifying nights.  Tuesday's card will also include the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, featuring past event winners and other top Chili Bowl contenders squaring off in a special feature race.

The top three finishers from the Qualifying Night features will automatically lock into the Saturday night, January 17, Chili Bowl championship feature, with the balance of Saturday's Bass Pro Shops championship feature events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes. 

Originally a two-day event that attracted 52 entries in 1987, the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire has evolved into a five-night extravaganza of indoor, dirt track midget racing, and ranks among the world’s most prestigious auto racing events with the 2008 edition of the event attracting a record number of 274 competitors. 

A limited number of reserved seats remain for Tuesday night's Qualifying event and Race of Champions for just $26 apiece.  Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.

Only pit passes remain for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as those tickets were depleted in May.

Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/.

Additional Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire Information: 

What:  23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire 

Where:  Tulsa Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds 

When: 
January 13-17, 2009
Tuesday – Qualifying Night plus Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Friday – Qualifying Night
Saturday – Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday Feature Events 

Past Winners:  Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), 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:  Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire were depleted by the end of May.  A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Qualifying Event and Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $26 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate.  Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well. 

Chili Bowl on TV:  Portions of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire will be broadcast on SPEED TV on a one-week tape-delayed basis on Saturday night, January 24. Additional details will be available soon.

Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777. 

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Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Entries Unveiled – 147 and Counting!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla.  (December 5, 2008) – Let's face it.  There's only one motorsports event in the world that draws seemingly universal attention.  From the NASCAR ranks, to the drag strips, to your favorite Saturday night bullring and across the seas, people circle the dates of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on their calendar each year.

And with the pre-entry deadline of December 15 for the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire still ten days away, the event office has already been flooded with entries in anticipation of next month's mega-event at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway.

Currently, a total of 147 entries representing 28 different states as well as Canada have been filed for the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, which unfolds atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval on January 13-17, 2009.

The complete list of entries for the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire is available at www.chilibowl.com/2009chilibowlentries.asp.  Driver entry is just $150 if filed by December 15.  Entries filed after the pre-entry deadline are $200.

The current list of entries already reads like a veritable who's who of auto racing, with past event winners Sammy Swindell, Cory Kruseman, Tracy Hines and Tim McCreadie among an early group of entries that also includes NASCAR star Kasey Kahne and author of much Chili Bowl lore, J.J. Yeley, among others.

With the event still more than five weeks away, last year's record count of 274 competitors could very well be in jeopardy as California native Damion Gardner is expected to make a bid to become the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl history.

The talent already entered for the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals represents a wide variety of racing disciplines, including NASCAR, ARCA, Late Models, DIRT Modifieds, winged and wingless Sprint Car racing and Midgets among others.

The 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire kicks off Tuesday night, January 13, with the first of four qualifying nights.  Tuesday's card will also include the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, featuring past event winners and other top Chili Bowl contenders squaring off in a special feature race.

The top three finishers from the Qualifying Night features will automatically lock into the Saturday night, January 17, Chili Bowl championship feature, with the balance of Saturday's Bass Pro Shops championship feature events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes. 

Originally a two-day event that attracted 52 entries in 1987, the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire has evolved into a five-night extravaganza of indoor, dirt track midget racing, and ranks among the world’s most prestigious auto racing events with the 2008 edition of the event attracting a record number of 274 competitors. 

A limited number of reserved seats remain for Tuesday night's Qualifying event and Race of Champions for just $26 apiece.  Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.

Only pit passes remain for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as those tickets were depleted in May.

Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/.

Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire Pre-Entry Stats: 

Most Chili Bowls Competed In (Among Pre-Entered Drivers):  Donnie Lehmann 19, Sammy Swindell 18, Danny Lasoski 17, Critter Malone 16, Tracy Hines 12, Jason Leffler 12, J.J. Yeley 12, Jerry Coons, Jr. 11, Tony Elliott 11, Cory Kruseman 11, Dave Darland 10, A.J. Fike 10, Mike Hess 10, Tim Siner 10, Matt Westfall 10 

Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts (Among Pre-Entered Drivers):  Sammy Swindell 15, Danny Lasoski 14, Dave Darland 11, Tracy Hines 10, Jason Leffler 10, Jerry Coons, Jr. 9, Cory Kruseman 8, Kasey Kahne 5, Matt Westfall 5, J.J. Yeley 5, Tony Elliott 4, Donnie Lehmann 4, Jon Stanbrough 4, Steve Buckwalter 3, Brad Kuhn 3, Tim McCreadie 3, Josh Ford 2, Mike Hess 2, Wayne Johnson 2, Critter Malone 2, Justin Allgaier 2, Bryan Clauson 1, A.J. Fike 1, David Gough 1, Jonathan Hendrick 1, Jesse Hockett 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Levi Jones 1, Jason Meyers 1, Kevin Swindell 1, Cole Whitt 1, Chris Windom 1. 

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Race of Champions Added to Chili Bowl Lineup!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 10, 2008) – Chili Bowl week just got a little bit better for the thousands upon thousands of race fans that flock to Tulsa each January for the world's premier auto racing event, as a Chili Bowl Race of Champions has been added to the Tuesday night portion of the event that spans five nights.

The 23rd edition of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is slated to take place at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway on January 13-17, 2009.

It had previously been announced that the Tuesday event would become a full qualifying event in 2009 rather than a "pre-qualifying" card reserved for Chili Bowl rookies and relative newcomers, as had been the case over the previous two years.

Now, in addition to a loaded field of qualifiers dicing for starting positions in Saturday's lineup of Chili Bowl championship feature events, fans will get an extra opportunity to watch the elite drivers in Chili Bowl history slug it out atop the indoor, ¼-mile clay oval for Chili Bowl Race of Champions bragging rights.

The list of past Chili Bowl champions eligible for the event is a prestigious one, with California native Damion Gardner the latest to add his name to the roster after capturing the Golden Driller in January.  Other past Chili Bowl champions still actively racing include Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Jon Heydenreich(1990) and Scott Hatton (1988).

The Chili Bowl Race of Champions field will be comprised of approximately 14-16 drivers, with the balance of the field to be determined.

A number of lucky race fans will be involved in the Chili Bowl Midget Race of Champions as well, with fans drawing the drivers' starting positions to set the Race of Champions starting grid.

Tickets for the Tuesday night, January 13, portion of the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals are available for just $26 each by calling the Chili Bowl office at 918-838-3777.

There are no tickets remaining for the balance of the week (Wednesday through Saturday), although pit passes will be available for each night.

Additional information regarding the Chili Bowl Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777.

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Chili Bowl Tuesday Converted to Full Qualifying Night

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (March 28, 2008) – Tuesday night at the 23rd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals won't just be for "newbies" and relative newcomers any more.  In 2009, the Tuesday night card will become a full-blown qualifying night event, making for four nights of qualifying action to set the stage for Saturday's championship main events.

The 23rd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is slated to unfold over the course of five nights, from January 13-17, 2009, atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway inside the Tulsa State Fairgrounds' QuikTrip Center.

With burgeoning car counts, the event expanded to five nights prior to the 2007 edition.  The Tuesday night event has been reserved for Chili Bowl rookies and relative newcomers to the event and auto racing in general over each of the past two years.

That will change in 2009, as the Tuesday event will carry the same weight as the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday qualifying events.  And the Tuesday card will also carry the same abundance of talent, experience and quality as the other qualifying nights, with the rookie crop divvied up over the four qualifying nights just as the sport's top guns and stars will be split over four nights.

With the additional qualifying night, the top three finishers from each qualifying night "A" Main event will be locked into Saturday night's 50-lap championship finale rather than the top four, which has been the case since the Chili Bowl Nationals expanded to three qualifying nights in 2002.

Tickets may still be ordered either in increments of four-nights (which includes the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday qualifying events along with Saturday's championship feature events) or all five nights (which includes all four qualifying nights along with Saturday's championship finale).

Four-night tickets are available for $185, with five-night tickets available for $211.  A $1 per ticket handling charge is applied if paying by credit card.

Ticket holders from the 2008 edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals have until May 21 to renew ticket orders or make adjustments to existing ticket orders.  After the May 21 renewal deadline, any available seats will be allotted to new ticket orders on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets may be ordered by calling the Chili Bowl ticket office at 918-838-3777 or online at http://www.chilibowl.com/.

Earlier this year, California native Damion Gardner became the 16th different winner in Chili Bowl history when he drove Jason Leffler's car to victory lane, capturing the coveted Golden Driller trophy over a record field of 274 competitors. 

Gardner joined a prestigious list of past Chili Bowl champions that includes four-time winner Sammy Swindell, two-time winners Tony Stewart, Cory Kruseman and Dan Boorse, and one-time winners Tim McCreadie, Tracy Hines, Jay Drake, Billy Boat, Donnie Beechler, Andy Hillenburg, Dave Blaney, Lealand McSpadden, Jon Heydenreich, Scott Hatton and Rich Vogler.

Additional information regarding the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is available by calling 918-838-3777 or at http://www.chilibowl.com/.

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Chili Bowl Ticket Renewal Deadline Moved Up!

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (February 26, 2008) – Due to the continually increasing demand for tickets for the 23rd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, which is set to take place at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway on January 13-17, 2009, the deadline to renew tickets has been moved up to Wednesday, May 21.  The date was originally set for June 1.

Fans that held tickets for the 2008 edition of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals must place their renewal order by May 21 to retain the same seats.

Any tickets not renewed by the May 21 deadline will be filled by new orders on a first-come, first-served basis, with new orders accepted at any time.  New orders will only be filled based upon availability, increasing the impetus upon placing new orders as early as possible.

Tickets for the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals went on sale Friday, February 1, and since that time have been requested at yet another record pace for the popular event.

Tickets may be ordered in increments of four-nights (which includes the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday qualifying events along with Saturday's championship feature events) or five nights (which also includes Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event).

Four-night tickets are available for $185, with five-night tickets available for $211.  A $1 per ticket handling charge is applied if paying by credit card.

Tickets are available by calling the Chili Bowl ticket office at 918-838-3777 or online at http://www.chilibowl.com/.

Just a few short weeks ago, California native Damion Gardner became the 16th different winner in Chili Bowl history when he drove Jason Leffler's car to victory lane, capturing the coveted Golden Driller trophy over a record field of 274 competitors.

Gardner joined a prestigious list of past Chili Bowl champions that includes four-time winner Sammy Swindell, two-time winners Tony Stewart, Cory Kruseman and Dan Boorse, and one-time winners Tim McCreadie, Tracy Hines, Jay Drake, Billy Boat, Donnie Beechler, Andy Hillenburg, Dave Blaney, Lealand McSpadden, Jon Heydenreich, Scott Hatton and Rich Vogler.

Additional information regarding the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is available by calling 918-838-3777 or at http://www.chilibowl.com./

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Demon Possesses Golden Driller with Chili Bowl Triumph!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 12, 2008) – Damion Gardner picked perhaps the largest dirt track stage in history to shine upon by racing to victory lane in Saturday night's 50-lap championship main event at Tulsa Expo Raceway's 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.

After winning Friday night's Qualifying feature, "The Demon" raced into the lead on the eleventh lap and led the rest of the way to become the 16th different winner in event history in front of a packed house at Tulsa's QuikTrip Center and before a worldwide television audience on HBO Pay-Per-View courtesy of Lucas Oil.

Piloting Jason Leffler's Pace Electronics/Team ASE No. 71g entry, the winningest driver in USAC/CRA history and the series' 2005 champion bested a record Chili Bowl Nationals field of 274 competitors from 29 different states as well as Canada and Australia as he made his first Chili Bowl main event since finishing tenth in 2003.

"I was just trying to keep the nerves down the whole time, and even during the race at the end it was tough to keep the nerves down and to put in the good laps," Gardner commented afterward.

Dave Darland, who finished a close second, responded that, "I was trying to keep his nerves up there a few times, it didn't work."

Gardner went on to say, "The car was really good when it was pretty tacky all the way across, but it was getting really slick to a curb.  And it was right after a yellow, I got in a little too hot and caught the edge of it and spiked it up.  I just tried to keep it straight, and when we landed Dave (Darland) was alongside me but he was on the slick and probably gonna get no traction.  From then on, I just entered a little lower and tried to put in good smooth laps rather than fast ones."

It was an approach that paid huge dividends in the end for the California native that now resides in Pittsboro, IN.   

Saturday's Bass Pro Shops slate of 21 feature events culminated with the 50-lap finale, with Wednesday night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown winner Josh Ford on the pole with Friday night's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying event winner Gardner alongside.

After Brady Bacon, the lone Oklahoma representative in the main event, was shuffled atop the inside berm in turn one to negate the original start, Ford got the edge on Gardner as the pack raced through the opening pair of corners.

Ford, Gardner and Thursday's Warren CAT Qualifier winner Brad Kuhn led the way in the early stages and began to separate themselves from the rest of the 24-car feature field after a handful of laps.

Working his preferred top groove, Gardner began working on Ford for the lead after six laps, only to jump the cushion on the eighth round and lose several car-lengths.  Gardner wasted little time reeling Ford back in though, closing to his tail tank by the time they reached lapped traffic on lap ten with the lead trio of Ford, Gardner and Kuhn nearly a straightaway ahead of fourth-running Dave Darland.

A lap later, Gardner charged past Ford for the lead with Kuhn following suit by taking second upon the completion of the eleventh round.

Lap thirteen proved to be unlucky for Kuhn when the lapped car of Terry McCarl got loose in turns one and two and collected the two-time National Midget Driver of the Year.  Ford made contact in the melee as well, but somehow managed to squeeze by to reclaim second as the caution flew.

Gardner quickly opened up a half straightaway lead over Ford on the restart, with Darland another half straightaway back in third, only to have the pace interrupted after 16 laps when Kasey Kahne come to a stop in turn three.  With smoke billowing from the NASCAR Sprint Cup star's machine over the previous two laps, Kahne retired to the infield.

At the same time, Kuhn reported to the work area and was unable to rejoin the chase, settling for a 22nd place finish in his third career Chili Bowl championship main event.

Ensuing cautions included one after 19 laps for Cole Whitt, who spun in turn four, and then one after 22 laps for a four-car tangle in turn four that included McCarl, Bobby Michnowicz, Nathan High and Billy Wease.  Michnowicz and Wease, both making their first career Chili Bowl main event start, were done for the night.

Two laps later, McCarl spun to a stop on the backstretch to bring out another caution.  At the same time, Ford jumped the turn two cushion and bicycled before coming to a stop and surrendering the second position.

Darland and fellow Indiana shoe Shane Cottle closed in on Gardner's rear nerf bar on the restart, but Gardner was once again able to open up an advantage of a half dozen car-lengths.

Gardner survived two more cautions over the duration of the race, including the final one after 42 laps when 2007 USAC Midget champion and National Midget Driver of the Year Jerry Coons, Jr., got upside down in a turn four tangle that also involved Whitt and Levi Jones, who had come to an earlier stop on lap 34.

Darland and Cottle gave chase over the final eight-lap charge to Roger Slack's checkered flag, but despite one Gardner bobble in turn four with the white flag in sight, no one was up to the task of overtaking "The Demon" on this night.

Gardner flashed across the finish line to lay claim to the Golden Driller trophy.  "Jason (Leffler) is really excited, three weeks ago we weren't even going to do this and hopefully we can take this momentum and continue on through the year.  He got his first car owner trophy, so not too bad."

Darland settled for second in Steve Lewis' Ed Pink Toyota-powered Team ASE/Performance Racing Industry No. 9x Spike.

Cottle claimed the show position in Daryl Saucier's Chevy-powered DSR Fuel Systems No. 1st Beast, giving Saucier two cars among the top three finishers as Saucier also wrenched Gardner's winning mount.

After starting twelfth, Bryan Clauson outdueled Jon Stanbrough over the final rounds to claim fourth in the Keith Kunz Motorsports Esslinger-powered No. 67 Bullet.

Stanbrough rounded out the top five in the Loyet Motorsports Esslinger Ford-powered Loyet Landscape Maintenance No. 05s Spike.

After starting 14th, Kevin Swindell climbed to seventh by the midway point and diced with Clauson and Stanbrough over the last half of the race before settling for sixth.

Relegated to the tail after originally starting 21st, the 17-year-old Bacon climbed to eighth by the midway point before falling back several positions after jumping the turn four cushion before the lap 33 caution.  Bacon remounted his forward charge and got back up to seventh by the time the checkered flag flew, posting the top passing performance in the feature event by officially gaining 14 positions.

Two-time and defending race winner Tony Stewart crossed the stripe eighth after starting 13th, with TSR teammate and 2005 race winner Tracy Hines advancing from 16th to ninth.  Nathan High, the 2007 AMRA champion, charged from 24th to tenth in his first career Chili Bowl championship main event.

Bubba Altig's feature ended before it started.  After advancing to the main event by virtue of a fourth-place finish in the second "B" Main, last year's Cinderella Story of the Chili Bowl Nationals smacked the turn one wall as the field warmed up and was unable to take the green flag.

Eight drivers among Saturday night's finale were making their initial championship feature event start, including Swindell, Bacon, High, Levi Jones (eleventh), Jesse Hockett (12th), McCarl (19th), Michnowicz (20th) and Wease (21st).

Saturday's Bass Pro Shops feature action started off with twin "K" Mains, with Steve Davis wiring the first one and then Larry Campbell overtaking Dan Mecum on the fourth round en route to topping the second one.

Joey Fabozzi wired the field in the First "J" Main, with opening lap leader Samantha Taylor regaining the lead for keeps on the seventh round of the Second "J" Main when leader Derrick Myers exited with mechanical problems.

Jonathan Hendrick took over on lap two to top the First "I" Main, with Wayne Johnson and Garry Lee Maier checked out on the field in the non-stop Second "I" Main,

Andy Martin wrestled the lead from David Cardey on the sixth lap of the First "H" Main, with Justin Henderson leading all the way in the Second "H" Main.

Thomas Meseraull blasted past Glenn Carson on the fourth circuit on the way to winning the First "G" Main, while 14-year-old Coleman Gulick battled past tee shirt clad veteran Kevin Olson on the eighth lap to win the Second "G" Main.

Casey Shuman wired the field in "F" Main one, with Dustin Morgan sweeping past Justin Melton on the seventh lap to top the Second "F" Main.

J.J. Yeley raced from 12th to overtake Josh Richards on the seventh round for the win in the First "E" Main, with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., checking out on the field to win the Second "E" Main.

Scott Pierovich led wire-to-wire in the First "D" Main, as Yeley's past alphabet heroics couldn't be repeated after hitting the cone and then later spinning out of contention.  P.J. Jones led all the way in the Second "D" Main, fending off several challenges from Brad Sweet.

Don Droud, Jr., won the First "C" Main after escaping a twelve-car melee opening lap melee.  Donnie Ray Crawford paced the opening five circuits of the second "C" Main before Levi Jones took command.  But Jones was relegated to second when Terry McCarl raced by and waved "good-bye" on the 13th of 15 laps.

Davey Ray and Tony Stewart battled for the lead in the early laps of the First "B" Main before Stewart took command, while Kevin Swindell dominated the Second "B" Main.

Saturday's 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Bass Pro Shops Championship Feature Results

K Mains (10 Lap - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding J Main)
1: 1. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 2. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 3. #99J Randy Josett, Santa Clarita, CA; 4. #78C David Burdes, Beloit, WI; 5. #9B Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; 6. #83H Jonathon Halford, Tulsa, OK; 7. #1B Scott Crystal, Overland Park, KS; 8. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 9. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 10. #10T T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 11. #6P Trish Dover, Springfield, NE; 12. #15K Brandon Knupp, Troutman, NC; 13. #51W Scott Walton, Inola, OK DNS - #33X Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; #14H Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; #45 Don Hammer, Clinton, IL; #1F Mike Fulper, Cumberland, OH
2: 1. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 2. #5W Kurt Davis, Milwaukee, WI; 3. #12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL; 4. #22WA Eric Young, Covington, WA; 5. #11D Doug DeWitt, Sunnyvale, CA; 6. #8M Dan Mecum, Marengo, IL; 7. #27C Doug Nunes, Kingsburg, CA; 8. #21S Lee Beckwith, Channahon, IL; 9. #93H Brian Harvey, Sherman, TX; 10. #4M James Sweeney, Placerville, CA; 11. #98D Dave Scroggs, Arvada, CO; 12. #48 Lee Little, Mustang, OK; 13. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, TX; 14. #32K Kirk Kubik, Long Beach, CA; 15. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL DNS - #6E Rafe Essary, Fayetteville, AR; #0K Don O’Keefe Jr., Pittsboro, IN

J Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding I Main)
1: 1. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 2. #89JR Todd McVay, Lee’s Summit, MO; 3. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 4. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 5. #17X Billy Mentgen, Golden, CO; 6. #75D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 7. #50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, CA; 8. #4R Bobby Ross, St. Joseph, MO; 9. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 10. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 11. #78C David Budres, Beloit, WI; 12. #51C Brent Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 13. #7C Doug Frye, Wheatland, MO; 14. #4C Dalton Cole, Pryor, OK; 15. #10F Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 16. #99J Robby Josett, Santa Clarita, CA
2: 1. #17S Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 2. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 3. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 4. #31X Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 5. #6J Justin Hendricks, Stillwater, OK; 6. #28 Nathan Smith, Valencia, CA; 7. #5W Kurt Davis, Milwaukee, WI; 8. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 9. #92 Brandon Wagner, Lafayette, IN; 10. #22WA Eric Young, Covington, WA; 11. #12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL; 12. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 13. #175 Brian Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 14. #25X Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 15. #10P Will Pierce, Lee’s Summit, MO; DNS - #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR

I Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding H Main)
1: 1. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 2. #11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 3. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 4. #33A Chris Coers, Columbus, IN; 5. #5T Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK; 6. #81 Shane Carson,  Yukon, OK; 7. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 8. #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA; 9. #73E Brian Portschy, Plymouth, WI; 10. #0 Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; 11. #6X Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 12. #99K Kyle Rayburn, Pueblo, CO; 13. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 14. #89JR Todd McVay, Lee’s Summit, MO; 15. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; DNS - #2M Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL
2: 1. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 2. #73S Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; 3. #87 Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA; 4. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 5. #71N Tim Noble, Madison, WI; 6. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 7. #23 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE; 8. #17S Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WI; 9. #87D Brent Rees, Arvada, CO; 10. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 11. #63 Paul Perkins, Bristol, WI; 12. #31X Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 13. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 14. #7T Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 15. #63R Kyle Robbins, New Castle, IN; 16. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA

H Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding G Main)
1: 1. #21M Andy Martin, New Holland, PA; 2. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 3. #3 Tracy Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 4. #97B David Cardey, Perris, CA; 5. #1H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 6. #97A Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 7. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 8. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 9. #33A Chris Coers, Columbus, IN; 10. #11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 11. #57K Nick Lundgreen, Brownsburg, IN; 12. #41 Gary Scelzi, Fresno, CA; 13. #19N Nick O’Neal, Wagoner, OK; 14. #68C Matt Covington, Glenpool, OK; 15. #71C Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN; 16. #2B Brady Short, Bedford, IN
2: 1. #D1 Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; 2. #14S Chris Sheil, Lakewood, CO; 3. #87 Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA; 4. #75H Bart Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #21K Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 7. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 8. #53 Jack Dover, Springfield, NE; 9. #31L Lee Grosz, Harwood, ND; 10. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 11. #73S Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; 12. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 13. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 14. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; DNS - #5S Shon Deskins, Waddell, AZ; #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, IA

G Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding F Main)
1: 1. #132 Thomas Meseraull, Fresno, CA; 2. #7W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 3. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 4. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 5. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 6. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 7. #4 Michele Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 8. #54 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA; 9. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 10. #9M Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX; 11. #97B David Cardey, Perris, CA; 12. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 13. #13AU Stewart, Friesen, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ONT; 14. #73I Blake Fitzpatrick, West Terre Haute, IN; 15. #3 Tracy Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 16. #21M Andy Martin, New Holland, PA
2: 1. #00 Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 2. #4KO Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 3. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #75H Bart Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 5. #14S Chris Sheil, Lakewood, CO; 6. #19W Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 7. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 8. #D1 Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; 9. #23W Scott Winters, Butterfield, MN; 10. #87 Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA; 11. #2A Tommy Bryant, Montgomery, TX; 12. #5A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 13. #6Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 14. #13 Jason Dull, Mattoon, IL; 15. #78J Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 16. #52D Derek Hagar, Marion, AR

F Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding E Main)
1: 1. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 2. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #37J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 4. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 6. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 7. #07 Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 8. #73F Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 9. #27D Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 10. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 11. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, IL; 12. #7W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 13. #17K Kenny Morris, Ripon, CA; 14. #20C C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, CA; 15. #132 Thomas Meseraull, Fresno, CA; DNS - #21AZ Stevie Sussex, Laveen, AZ
2: 1. #93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK: 2. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 3. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 4. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 5. #7X Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 6. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK: 7. #00 Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 8. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 9. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN; 10. #22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 11. #75H Bart Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 12. #4KO Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 13. #11S Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO; DNS - #17B Kenny Brown, Millstadt, IL; #5C Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, MO; #23J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN

E Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding D Main)
1: 1. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 2. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 3. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 4. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 5. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #7S Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 7. #7J Jerrod Wilson, Tulsa, OK; 8. #37J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 9. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 10. #7R Blake Miller, Anaheim, CA; 11. #88 Johnathon Henry, Linden, CA; 12. #10H Eric Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA; 13. #09 Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 14. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 15. #34 Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; DNS - #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK
2: 1. #97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 2. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 4. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 5. #10W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 6. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 7. #39T Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 8. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 9. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 10. #93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 11. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 12. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 13. #7MX Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 14. #3T Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, OH; 15. #19S Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 16. #42 Mike Leslie, Litchfield Park, AZ

D Mains (15 Laps - Top 5 advance to back of corresponding C Main)
1: 1. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 2. #43 Jeff Bland Jr., Springville, IN; 3. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, CA; 4. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 5. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 7. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 8. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 9. #22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, PA; 10. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 11. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 12. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 13. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 14. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 15. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 16. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA
2: 1. #05J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 2. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 3. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, VA; 4. #97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 5. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 6. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco, CA; 8. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 9. #39J Jerry Higbie Jr., Slate Hill, NY; 10. #15X Sam Hafertepe, Sunnyvale, CA; 11. #15N Randy Prickett, Fresno, CA; 12. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 13. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 14. #D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 15. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 16. #12H Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA

C Mains (15 Laps - Top 5 advance to back of corresponding B Main)
1: 1. #71D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 2. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 3. #67X Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 4. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 5. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 6. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #43 Jeff Bland Jr., Springville, IN; 8. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, CA; 9. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 10. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 12. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 13. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 14. #39R Randy Hannagan, Pittsboro, IN; 15. #5E Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA; 16. #32 Darren Hagen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 17. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 18. #75X David Gough, Machesney Park, IL: 19. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, Ca; 20. #05B Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA
2: 1. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 2. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 3. #71B Mark Brown, Glendenning, NSW; 4. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 5. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 6. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 7. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 8. #11T Stan Yockey, Fresno, CA; 9. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, VA; 10. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 11. #05J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 12. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 13. #63N Rex Norris III, Knightstown, IN; 14. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 15. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 16. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 17. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 18. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 19. #97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS DNS - #10 George White, Fort Worth

B Mains (20 Laps - Top 6 in B Main 1 make up final inside 6 rows of A Main, Top 6 in B Main 2 make up final outside 6 rows of A Main)
1: 1. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 2. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 3. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 4. #33 Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 5. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN: 7. #37T Ron Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 8. 5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 9. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 10. #71D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 11. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 12. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 13. #67X Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 14. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 15. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 16. #1AU Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 17. #27B Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 18. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 19. #21A Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 20. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL
2: 1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 3. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 4. #67A Gary “Bubba” Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 5. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL: 6. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 7. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 8. #71B Mark Brown, Glendenning, NSW; 9. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL: 10. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, IL; 11. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 12. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 13. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 14. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 15. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL: 16. #5F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 17. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 18. #4E Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 19. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 20. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE

A Main (50 Laps)
1. #71G Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 2. #9X Dave Darland, Walton, IN; 3. #1ST Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 4. #67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 5. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 6. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 7. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 8. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 9. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 10. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 11. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 12. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 13. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 14. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 15. #33 Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 16. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 17. #71K Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 18. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 19. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 20. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 21. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 22. #91 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 23. #71X Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 24. #67A Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL

-end- 

22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Saturday Lineups

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 12, 2008) – Four nights of wild racing action atop Tulsa Expo Raceway's ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center have set the stage for Saturday's Bass Pro Shops Championship feature events at the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals.

A record total of 274 competitors have duked it out over the course of 76 races entailing 776 laps of spine tingling action since Tuesday night to set the lineups for Saturday's 21 feature events.

A pair of California shoes at are the top of the heap, with Wednesday's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown winner Josh Ford drawing the pole position and Friday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying winner Damion Gardner drawing the front row outside.  Thursday's Warren CAT Qualifying winner Brad Kuhn grids Saturday night's "A" Main event inside the second row.

Those unable to take in all the action first hand can still get their fix by listening to the day's early action on http://www.racinboys.com/ and then catching the twin "C" and "B" Mains along with the championship "A" Main event live on HBO Pay-Per-View.

A dozen drivers have already locked themselves into the grand finale, with the remaining dozen to be determined through the day's action.

Defending race winner Tony Stewart starts on the front row of the first "B" Main and J.J. Yeley, author of spectacular alphabet runs in the past, starts the day out deep in the field of the first "E" Main.

Those locked in to the main event, and their Chili Bowl backgrounds, include:

Josh Ford (Ventura, CA) – Makes his second main event start in seven tries after adding a Wednesday night win to his 2005 preliminary triumph.

Damion Gardner (Pittsboro, IN) – The California native makes his second start in six attempts and first since 2003.

Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN) – Enjoying his sixth Chili Bowl, Kuhn makes a third consecutive main event start after beginning his streak with a 15th to fourth run in 2006.

Dave Darland (Walton, IN) – Makes his tenth overall Chili Bowl main event start and ninth in a row, not missing the big show since 1999, the same year that current car owner Steve Lewis last appeared at the Chili Bowl (then with Jason Leffler).

Aaron Fiscus (Sun Prairie, WI) – Made the cut for his second Chili Bowl finale in nine tries and the first since 1995.

Jon Stanbrough (Avon, IN) – In his fifth Chili Bowl appearance, makes the grade for Saturday night for the fourth consecutive year and starts out in a better position than ever.

Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA) – Ready for his tenth Chili Bowl main event in 13 tries and third in a row, a runner-up finish ten years ago is the best of three top-tens.

Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ) – Making his ninth championship main event start in a dozen tries, Coons has now made seven of the last eight and will try to crack the top-five, if not take the win, for the first time.

Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN) – Made it as a rookie in 2000 with a runner-up finish and makes his fifth main event start in nine tries after a fourth-place finish last year.

Cole Whitt (Alpine, CA) – Already competing in his third Chili Bowl, the 16-year-old makes his first start in the Big Dance.

Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA) – Making his fifth main event start in nine tries, Kahne has vowed to keep trying until he wins one.  Will this be the year?

Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN) – Sitting out last year to recover from injuries, the 18-year-old that is already on NASCAR's fast track makes his first Chili Bowl championship main event start in four attempts.

The Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday slate of events for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is as follows:

A Feature (50 Laps)                                                               

73 Josh Ford (Oxnard, CA) - 71g Damion Gardner (Pittsboro, IN)

71x Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN - 9x Dave Darland (Walton, IN)

7F Aaron Fiscus (Sun Prairie, WI - 05s Jon Stanbrough            (Avon, IN)

71k Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA) – 11 Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ)

1st Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN) – 71 Cole Whitt (Alpine, CA)

91 Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA) – 67 Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN)

B Feature 1 Transfer 1 – B Feature 2 Transfer 1

B Feature 1 Transfer 2 – B Feature 2 Transfer 2

B Feature 1 Transfer 3 – B Feature 2 Transfer 3

B Feature 1 Transfer 4 – B Feature 2 Transfer 4

B Feature 1 Transfer 5 – B Feature 2 Transfer 5

B Feature 1 Transfer 6 – B Feature 2 Transfer 6

Gardner Digs Friday's O'Reilly Qualifier at the Chili Bowl

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 11, 2008) – Just when it looked as though Jason Leffler was going to win Friday night's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying event at Tulsa Expo Raceway's Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, his hired gun foiled the NASCAR Nationwide Series' victory plans.

California native Damion Gardner, piloting Leffler's Pace Electronics/Team ASE No. 71g, made the top side of the ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center work over the latter stages of the 25-lap feature and swept into the lead on the 22nd lap to snare the win.

"I thought if something was there up top I was gonna go up there late," Gardner commented afterward.  "I was pretty sure in one and two but I wasn't sure about three and four, I could get around there pretty good and I just decided I was going to give it a whirl."

Leffler explained how Gardner landed in his Midget, "That car was just sitting in my garage, sitting up on jack stands and I felt bad it's such a nice car.  So I called Damion and said, 'Hey, why don't you come get this thing and either bring it back with a trophy or in a bucket'.  He got a trophy, so it's good."

Working his way from deep in the field, USAC ace Dave Darland slipped around Leffler on the final round to take second, with Leffler settling for the show position.

NASCAR Sprint Cup sensation Kasey Kahne batted past Ron Shuman on the 24th circuit to take the fourth and final lock-in position to Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event.

Gardner, Darland, Leffler and Kahne join Wednesday night's top four (Josh Ford, Aaron Fiscus, Jerry Coons, Jr., and Bryan Clauson) and Thursday's top four (Brad Kuhn, Jon Stanbrough, Shane Cottle and Cole Whitt) as the dozen drivers locked into Saturday night's main event, which will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View.  The balance of the record 274 competitors will battle it out for the remaining dozen starting positions through Saturday's Bass Pro Shops slate of Chili Bowl championship feature events, which get under way at 1:00 p.m.

Starting from the pole position, Leffler outgunned Gardner for the lead at the drop of the green flag, with third-starter Cory Kruseman quickly taking over second.  Kruseman, a two-time Chili Bowl champion, slipped underneath Leffler in turns one and two on the third lap and paced the field much of the way.

With most of the field working the low portion of the track, 14th-starter Darland was the first to try out the top side.  And Darland's experimentation began to pay dividends following a lap 14 caution for Australia's Mark Brown, who slid to a stop in turn two while running fifth.

With Kruseman leading Leffler, Don Droud, Jr., and Gardner, Darland needed just two laps to climb from eighth to fifth and into the lead mix.  Darland briefly surged ahead of Gardner upon the completion of the 18th lap, but Gardner quickly changed his line and used the top to reclaim fourth.

Meanwhile, Kruseman's bid for a sixth career Chili Bowl preliminary feature win began to unravel.  Leffler raced back into the lead exiting turn two on the 19th lap, then Kruseman spun a half lap later after brushing wheels with the charging Gardner, collecting Droud in the melee.

Set for a six-lap charge to the checkered flag, Leffler fought off Gardner for several rounds before "The Demon's" top side tenacity paid off with the winning move on the 23rd lap.

Up to third on the final restart, Darland made his way past Leffler on the last lap to take runner-up honors in Steve Lewis' Ed Pink Team ASCS/Performance Racing Industry No. 9x Spike, qualifying for his ninth consecutive Chili Bowl main event.

About taking to the top of the track, Darland explained that, "We had the car set up to run up top if we had to, I just had to go up there and see what was up there.  Just running around there in eighth or ninth I wasn't going to lose much by going up there and trying it, so I decided to take a chance and it worked pretty good."

Leffler was third in the Toyota-powered Keith Kunz Motorsports No. 71k Bullet, becoming the third Kunz entry to lock into Saturday night's main event.

"I could here him out there, I knew he (Gardner) was running second on that last yellow," Leffler explained.  "Where I was at, it'll take you a lap-and-a-half or two laps to figure the top out and by then you'd get slid three or four times so I knew if I hit my marks there I'd probably lose the race but I'd at least get into the "A" Feature.  I hate getting beat and I hate really getting beat on the top, but you do what you have to do."

The battle for the fourth and final lock-in position was a wild one over the final rounds, with Ron Shuman coming off a ten-year retirement holding the spot until Kahne soared by with the white flag in sight.  Kahne held on to claim fourth in the Mopar-powered Kasey Kahne Racing Budweiser No. 91 Spike.

"I was sliding around so much, I wasn't going anywhere on the bottom so once Darland got by me I tried it (the high groove) for a little bit then I missed it and got passed again," Kahne explained.  "Just at the end it worked out and we got a few cars there to get into the race."

Charging from 15th, Kevin Swindell rounded out the top five, with Billy Wease and Bubba Altig next across the line as Shuman slipped back to eighth.  After winning his "B" Main, 15-year-old Trey Robb raced from 18th to ninth, with Steve Buckwalter completing the top ten.

Tracy Hines, the 2005 Chili Bowl champion, finished just outside the top ten in eleventh.

After advancing from Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event, 15-year-old Caleb Armstrong was the only rookie to make the cut for Friday night's feature field and finished 19th.

Battling among the top five in the early stages, Darren Hagen flipped in turn two on lap six to become the race's first casualty.

Austin Mero, Mark Brown, Buckwalter, Darland, Dex Eaton, Kruseman, Leffler, Greg Bragg and Jeff Bland, Jr., topped heat race action for Friday night's 66-car field.

Kevin Morris, Darren Stewart, Kevin Swindell and Jason Holt each won Last Chance Races, with Droud, Gardner, Shuman and Hagen victorious in the Qualifying Races.

Hines and Robb topped the twin "B" Mains.

Late Model ace Josh Richards went for a wild ride turn four on the opening lap of the second heat race, but was able to return for later action.  Other heat race flippers included Anthony Peterman, Kyle Rayburn, Andy Martin and Holt, with Hunter Schuerenberg taking a wild tumble down the frontstretch on the opening lap of the first Last Chance Race.  Wayne Johnson got upside down in that melee as well.

Rich Camfield and Caleb Armstrong flipped in Qualifying Race action, with Johnathon Henry getting upside down in a "B" Main.

There were no injuries.

Saturday's slate of Bass Pro Shops championship feature events consists of 21 events, with the first of two "K" Mains set to go green at 1:00 p.m.

Friday Night's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying Event Results from the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

Heat Races (Top 40 in passing points to four A Qualifiers; Balance to four Last Chance races)
1: 1. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 2. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 3. #15X Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 4. #34 Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 5. #11S Steve Newman, Steamboat, CO; 6. #13 Jason Dull; 7. #11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 8. #54 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA
2: 1. #71B Mark Brown, Glendenning, NSW; 2. #67A Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 3. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 4. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 5. #05J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 6. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 7. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 8. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV
3: 1. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 2. #37T Ron Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 3. #21A Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 5. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 6. #3 Tracy Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 7. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 8. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL
4: 1. #9X Dave Darland, Walton, IN; 2. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, IL; 4. #88 Johnathon Henry, Linden, CA; 5. 399K Kyle Rayburn, Pueblo, CO; 6. #23W Scott Winters, Butterfield, MN; 7. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ
5: 1. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 2. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 3. #91 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 4. #39T Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 5. #7X Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 6. #9M Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX; 7. #21M Andy Martin, New Holland, PA
6: 1. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 2. #71G Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 3. #71D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 4. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 5. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, CA; 6. #5A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 7. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO
7: 1. #71K Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 2. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, Newcastle, IN; 3. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 4. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 5. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #1H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 7. #19W Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA
8: 1. #05B Gregg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 2. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 3. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, VA; 4. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 5. #17K Kenny Morris, Ripon, CA; 6. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 7. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK
9: 1. #43 Jeff Bland Jr., Springville, IN; 2. #67K Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 3. #32 Darren Hagan, Riverside, CA; 4. #27D Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 5. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #73I Blake Fitzpatrick, West Terre haute, IN; 7. #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, IA

Last Chance Races (Top 2 in each transfer to back of corresponding A Qualifier)
1:  1. #17K Kevin Morris, Ripon, CA; 2. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 3. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 4. #19W Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 5. #3 Tracy Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 6. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN. DNS: #99k Kyle Rayburn, Pueblo, CO
2:  1. #7X Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 2. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 3. #23W Scott Winters, Butterfield, MN; 4. #73I Blake Fitzpatrick, West Terre Haute, IN; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #1H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 7. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK
3: 1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, CA; 3. #9M Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX; 4. #13 Jason Dull, Mattoon, IL; 5. #21M Andy Martin, New Holland, PA; 6. #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, IA
4: 1. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 3. #5A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 4. #54 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA DNS - #11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA

A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
1: 1. #71D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 2. #71K Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 3. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 4. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 5. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 6. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 7. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, VA; 8. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 9. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 10. #27D Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 11. #17K Kevin Morris, Ripon, CA; 12. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV
2: 1. #71G Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 2. #67A Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 3. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 4. #67X Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 5. #21 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 6. #34 Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 7. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 8. #7X Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 9. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 10. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 11. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 12. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL
3: 1. #37T Ron Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 2. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 3. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 4. #9X Dave Darland, Walton, IN; 5. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 6. #21A Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 7. #15X Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 8. #43 Jeff Bland Jr., Springville, IN; 9. #88 Johnathon Henry, Linden, CA; 10. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, CA; 11. #11X Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO; 12. #39T Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA
4: 1. #32 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 2. #91 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 3. #71B Mark Brown, Glendenning, NSW; 4. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 5. #05B Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 6. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, IL; 7. #05J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 8. #D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 9. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 10. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 11. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 12. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA

B Mains (Top 4 advance to A Main)
1: 1. #21 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 2. #21A Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, IL; 4. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 5. #43 Jeff Bland Jr., Springville, IN; 6. #15X Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 7. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 8. #D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 9. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 10. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 11. #88 Johnathon Henry, Linden, CA; 12. #39T Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 13. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 14. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 15. #27D Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 16. #17K Kevin Morris, Ripon, CA
2: 1. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 2. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 4. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 5. #05J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 6. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, CA; 7. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, VA; 8. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 9. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 10. #34 Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 11. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 12. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 13. #11X Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO; 14. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 15. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 16. #7X Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK

A Main (25 laps - Top 4 advance to Saturday Night’s Main Event)
1. #71G Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 2. #9X Dave Darland, Walton, IN; 3. #71k Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 4. #91 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 5. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 6. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 7. #67A Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 8. #37T Ron Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 9. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 10. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 11. #21 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 12. #21A Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 13. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, IL; 14. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 15. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, Newcastle, IN; 16. #71D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 17. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 18. #05B Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 19. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 20. #67X Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 21. #71B Mark Brown, Glendenning, NSW; 22. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 23. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 24. #32 Darren Hagen, Manhattan Beach, CA

-end-

Kuhn Dogs Chili Bowl Foes in Thursday's Warren CAT Qualifier

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 10, 2008) – A two-time National Midget Driver of the Year, Brad Kuhn perhaps ranks amongst the most underrated Midget chauffeurs in the country.

But the Avon, IN, racer wasted little time making his presence known at Tulsa Expo Raceway's 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals in the QuikTrip Center, solidly establishing himself as one of the favorites to win this year's event by wiring the field in Thursday night's 25-lap Warren CAT Qualifying feature event.

Starting from the pole position, Kuhn outgunned Shane Cottle for the lead at the outset and paced the field throughout in a race that featured just one quick caution period to score his first Chili Bowl preliminary feature win aboard Dr. Kenneth Love's Stanton Mopar-powered Hoosier/Simpson/Barnes Oil Systems No. 71x Spike chassis.

"I know the right people are here tonight, it's the right time to shine," Kuhn commented at the post-race press conference.

Jon Stanbrough made a late move to snare runner-up honors, with Cottle giving Hoosier State racers a sweep of the podium by finishing third.  Sixteen-year-old California native Cole Whitt made a lap 20 pass of defending Chili Bowl champion Tony Stewart to snare the fourth and final lock-in position to Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event.

Stewart rounded out the top five and will start from the front row of one of Saturday night's "B" Main events as he tries to become the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl history.

Kuhn dazzled the capacity crowd early on, treading about the top side of the track to climb from fourth in the final laps to win the night's ninth and final heat race.  A quick charge from sixth to second in his qualifier assured him the pole position for the feature event.

Kuhn took off at the outset of the main event, with fellow front row starter Cottle giving chase as fourth-starter Stewart battled past Stanbrough for third on the second lap.  With Cottle staying within several car-lengths of the leader, Stanbrough reclaimed third from Stewart by the time lapped traffic came into play on the tenth round.

Kuhn made just one bobble along the way when he got loose in turn two on the 16th lap, allowing Cottle to close to his tail tank.  But when the race's only caution appeared one lap later for a turn three tangle involving Chad DeSelle and Matt Sherrell, Kuhn once again had open track.

"I was trying to run 25 laps with no mistakes," Kuhn explained after one mistake cost him a win in last year's preliminary action.  "I did mess up one time in the middle of the race and I thought Shane was gonna get me, it was one mistake but it didn't cost me."

Kuhn once again opened up a several car-length advantage on the restart, as Cottle was left to fend off Stanbrough for second with the lapped car of Shane Stewart in the mix as well.  Finding the top side to his liking, Stewart made his way past Cottle and tried to reel in the leader in an effort to unlap himself.

Meanwhile, Stanbrough battled past Cottle for second on the 23rd lap and tried to mount a charge on Kuhn.  That charged was derailed by the lapped car and Stanbrough settled for second aboard the Loyet Motorsports Esslinger Ford-powered Loyet Landscape Maintenance No. 05s Spike.

"He should have got out of the way, his race was over," Stanbrough commented.  "I love coming here and I'm really excited to be in the show, but I'm gonna have to go back to the pits and control myself because I really want to go punch him in the mouth."

"I don't know if I could have had anything for Brad," the winner of 30 Sprint Car features in 2008 continued.  "I don’t know how many times I've finished second in a Midget and I'm dying to get a win and I think we might have had an opportunity tonight."

Cottle, a preliminary feature winner at last year's Chili Bowl, settled for third aboard Daryl Saucier's Chevy-powered DSR Fuel Systems No. 1st Beast.

A runner-up finisher in his Chili Bowl debut in 2000, Cottle explained that, "I guess it (Tulsa Expo Raceway) kinda suits my driving style, back in 2000 it was kinda neat to be a rookie here and finish second and ever since then I've liked it here."

Running eighth at the lap 17 caution, Whitt took to the top side and needed just one lap to dispose of Garrett Hansen, Nathan High and Sammy Swindell to climb to fifth.  Whitt reeled in Stewart two laps later and took the fourth position for keeps aboard the Keith Kunz Motorsports Esslinger-powered Red Bull No. 71 Bullet.

With the lapped car in play, Whitt didn't even realize he had reached the fourth position.  "I was so far back on that yellow, and coming through the field I didn't know that we had lapped traffic.  I thought they were pointing me to the infield just for running top five then Keith (Kunz) came over and said, 'Hey, we're locked in!'  He points up at the leader board and we're in fourth, so this is the first Chili Bowl that we've been locked in on Saturday so I'm excited."

Tony Stewart rounded out the top five, with Hansen in sixth.  Bobby Michnowicz claimed seventh, with four-time Chili Bowl winner Sammy Swindell, SMRS Midget champion Gary Taylor and AMRA Midget champion Nathan High completing the top ten.

Teamed with Stanbrough, Brad Loyet turned in the feature's top passing performance by climbing from 18th to eleventh.

A pair of Chili Bowl rookies made the feature cut, with Dennis Rodriguez in 18th and George White the race's first of two casualties, credited with 24th.

Transferring from Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event, Austin Brown raced his way into Thursday night's feature and posted a 14th-place finish.

Chris Rahe, Tony Stewart, Cottle, Michnowicz, Brady Bacon, Scott Pierovich, Billy Pauch, Jr., Jerry Higbie, Jr., and Kuhn topped heat race action for Thursday night's 72-car field.

Loyet, Michelle Decker, Frank Polimeda and Jonathan Beason claimed Last Chance Race wins, with Stanbrough, Cottle, High and Hansen winning the Qualifying Races.

Rahe and Loyet took "B" Main honors.

Garry Lee Maier tipped over in heat race action, with Cruz Pedregon and Tadd Holliman getting upside down in the Last Chance races.

Qualifying race action featured seven flips, with Pierovich, Pauch, Decker, Justin Allgaier, Sherrell, Joe Cleveland and Kenny Brown all turning over.

There were no injures.

Friday night's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying event, the third and final qualifying night at the 22nd Chili Bowl Nationals, fires off with the first heat race set to go green at 5:45 p.m.

Thursday Night's Warren CAT Qualifying Event Results from the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 

Heat Races (Top 40 in passing points to four A Qualifiers; Balance to four Last Chance races)
1. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, CA; 2. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 3. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 4. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 5. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #42 Mike Leslie, Litchfield Park, AZ; 7. #19N Nick O’Neal, Wagoner, OK; 8. #7W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI
2: 1. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 2. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 3. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 4. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 5. #09 Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #23J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 7. #D1 Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; 8. #132 Thomas Meseraull, Fresno, CA
3: 1. #1ST Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 2. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 3. #10W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 4. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 5. #3T Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, OH; 6. #2A Tommy Bryant, Montgomery, TX; 7. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 8. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA
4: 1. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 2. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 3. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, IL; 4. #37J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 5. #57K Nick Lundgreen, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #6Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 7. #97A Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 8. #6X Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA
5: 1. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #95 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 3. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 4. #07 Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 5. #78J Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 6. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 7. #13AU Stewart Friesen, Niagara on the Lake, ONT; 8. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN
6: 1. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 2. #17B Kenny Brown, Millstadt, IL; 3. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 4. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 5. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 6. #31L Lee Grosz, Harwood, ND; 7. #23 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE; 8. #0 Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX
7: 1. #49 Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 2. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 3. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 4. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco, CA; 5. #5C Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, MO; 6. #8K Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 7. #7T Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 8. #73S Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS
8: 1. #39J Jerry Higbie Jr., Slate Hill, NY; 2. #75X David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 3. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 4. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 6. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #71C Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN; 8. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN
9: 1. #71X Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 2. #10 George White, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 4. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 5. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 6. #7MX Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 7. #75H Bart Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 8. #87D Brent Rees, Arvada, CO 

Last Chance Races (Top 2 in each transfer to back of corresponding A Qualifier)
1:  1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #132 Thomas Meseraull, Fresno, CA; 4. #6Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 5. #31L Lee Grosz, Harwood, ND; 6. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 7. #0 Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; DNS - #7T Eric Todd, Falcon, MO
2:  1. #7MX Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 2. #42 Mike Leslie, Litchefield Park, AZ; 3. #78J Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 4. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 5. #71C Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #97A Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 7. #73S Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; 8. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA
3: 1. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 2. #09 Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #13AU Stewart Friesen, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ONT; 4. #2A Tommy Bryant, Montgomery, TX; 5. #D1 Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; 6. #75H Bart Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 7. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 8. #6X Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA
4: 1. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #23J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #7W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 5. #57K Nick Lundgreen, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #19N Nick O’Neal, Wagoner, OK; 7. #87D Brent Rees, Arvada, CO; 8. #23 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE 

A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
1: 1. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 2. #71X Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 3. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 4. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 5. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 6. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 7. #37J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 8. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 9. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 10. #5C Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, MO; 11. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 12. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA
2: 1. #1ST Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 2. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 3. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 4. #10 George White, Fort Worth, TX; 5. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 6. #07 Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 7. #93 Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 8. #10W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 9. #7MX Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 10. #42 Mike Leslie, Litchfield Park, AZ; 11. #3T Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, OH; 12. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ
3: 1. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 2. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 3. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, IN; 4. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 5. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, CA; 6. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 8. #09 Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 9. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 10. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 11. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 12. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, IL
4: 1. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 2. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 3. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 4. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 5. #39J Jerry Higbie Jr., Slate Hill, NY; 6. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #75X David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 8. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 9. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco, CA; 10. #23J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 11. #17B Kenny Brown, Millstadt, IL; 12. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS 

B Mains (Top 4 advance to A Main)
1: 1. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, CA; 2. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 4. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 6. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 7. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 8. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco, CA; 9. #09 Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 10. #7MX Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 11. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 12. #42 Mike Leslie, Litchfield Park, AZ; 13. #37J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 14. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 15. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, IL; 16. #23J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN
2: 1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. #75X David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 3. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 4. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 5. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 6. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 7. #39J Jerry Higbie Jr., Slate Hill, NY; 8. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 9. #3T Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, OH; 10. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 11. #10W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 12. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 13. #17B Kenny Brown, Millstadt, IL; 14. #07 Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 15. #5C Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, MO DNS - #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS 

A Main (25 laps - Top 4 advance to Saturday Night’s Main Event) 1. #71K Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 2. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 3. #1ST Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 4. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 5. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 6. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 7. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 8. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 9. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 10. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 11. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 12. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 13. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 14. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 15. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, CA; 16. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 17. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 18. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 19. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 20. Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 21. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 22. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 23. #75X David Gough, Macheseney Park, IL; 24. #10 George White, Fort Worth, TX .

-end-

Ford Cashes in On Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown at the Chili Bowl

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 9, 2008) – California's Josh Ford outdueled Davey Ray over the early rounds before slipping away from the field over the last half of the race to win Wednesday night's 25-lap Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown feature event at the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals atop the Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval.

Working the top side of the track masterfully, Ford surged into the lead upon the completion of the eighth lap and led the rest of the way aboard Keith Ford's Bob Wirth-powered Berry Pack/VMAR/BR Motorsports No. 73 JFM-chassis for his second career Chili Bowl preliminary feature win.

"Just winning that first heat race got the crew real pumped up and once you get that going sometimes it works in your advantage," Ford commented.  "It's gonna be real nice not having to worry about getting in that "A" Main Saturday and just being able to focus on racing that."

Aaron Fiscus scrambled back from Last Chance Race action to snare runner-up honors in front of National Midget Driver of the Year Jerry Coons, Jr., with Bryan Clauson making a last-lap move around Ray to take the fourth and final lock-in position to Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event.

Ray earned the pole position for the main event by accumulating the most points through heat and qualifying race action, with Ford gridding the field on his outside shoulder.  Ray gunned into the early lead, leading the pack of off turn two.

But Ford turned up the heat in short order, racing by on the high side exiting turn two on the third lap for the lead only to have the move negated when two-time USAC Sprint Car champion Levi Jones slid to a stop in turn four.

Following the race's second and final caution one lap later for Joey Saldana, Ray and Ford battled in side-by-side fashion over the next five laps with Coons nipping on their heels all the while.

With Ray hugging the low line and Ford riding the cushion around the ¼-mile oval, Ford finally got a strong run off of turn four to take command on the eighth lap.  Coons followed suit, racing past Ray the next time around and set his sights on Ford, only to bicycle in turn four on the tenth lap and fell to fourth behind Ford, Ray and Clauson.

"The track kinda changed as the race went on and just got a little tight I guess," Coons commented.  "Once you lose track position you're fighting to pass cars, you're not just out there cruising by yourself so the car drives a little different and a little different attitude."

Out front, Ford gradually slipped away from the field and, despite encountering lapped traffic by the midway point, streaked to the checkered flag with nearly a straightaway advantage.

The action behind him was intense throughout, with Ray holding off Clauson, Fiscus and Coons for second until the 19th circuit, when Fiscus flew by to take the position.  Coons took third from Ray a lap later, putting the Badger Midget shoe on the hot seat in front of Clauson, who had lost a pair of positions several laps earlier when he also tripped over the turn four cushion.

Fiscus held off Coons over the final laps to take second in James Fiscus' Esslinger-powered AFS/Fitchburg Plumbing/Ferguson Enterprises No. 7F Spike, with Coons taking the show position in the Wilke-PAK Motorsports Mopar-powered Speedway Motors/Kwik Change No. 11 Spike.

"I'm tickled to be here on this night knowing that on Saturday we can sit back and relax and do the best we can on the main race," Fiscus explained.  "It's a dogfight here, I did it to myself in the earlier race when I jumped the berm trying to win the thing and went from second to fifth and ended up fighting back through from that Last Chance race.  To be here is just awesome." 

Making his first dirt track start since September of 2006, 18-year-old Clauson made a critical last lap move to snare fourth in the Keith Kunz Motorsports Esslinger-powered No. 67 Bullet.

"After being off the dirt for so long, it took me a hot lap session or two to really get comfortable hustling the car," Clauson commented after locking himself into his first career Chili Bowl championship main event.  "We weren't real bad when we started, just not quite where we needed to be.  We just kept getting better all night and I think if we can keep it going we'll keep getting better and better with more laps."

Ray settled for fifth, one spot shy of a guaranteed starting berth in Saturday night's championship main event, with Bobby East next across the line in sixth. 

After winning the first "B" Main, Jesse Hockett charged from 17th to seventh, with Mike Goodman, 2006 Chili Bowl champion Tim McCreadie and 22nd starter Mat Neely completing the top ten.

After landing a ride on Monday night aboard one of the Clifton Blackwell entries that enabled him to compete in his eleventh Chili Bowl Nationals, Tony Elliott finished just outside the top ten in eleventh.

Donnie Ray Crawford, last year's top finishing rookie at the Chili Bowl Nationals, claimed 16th in the feature. No 2008 rookies made Wednesday night's feature.

Heat race wins for Wednesday night's 75-car field were claimed by Chad Kemenah, Ray, Neely, Stan Yockey, Ford, Kevin Ramey, Danny Ebberts, McCreadie, Goodman and Dustin Morgan.

Matt Streeter, Jerrod Wilson, Fiscus and C.J. Sarna each scored Last Chance race wins, with Levi Jones, Coons, Ray and East winning the Qualifying Races.

Hockett won an eventful first "B" Main in which several potential transfers encountered late trouble, with A.J. Fike topping the second "B" Main.

The night got off to a rough start for Derek Hagar, who took a hard tumble in hot laps.  Hagar returned for the night's action.

Chad McDaniel got upside down in the fifth heat and returned for later action as well.  After his heat race win, Morgan flipped in his Qualifier while Stevie Sussex and Kemenah flipped simultaneously in the next Qualifying Race.  Sarna flipped in the final Qualifier, with Andrew Felker turning over in turn one in the first "B" Main.  There were no injuries.

Wednesday Night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown Results from the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

Heat Races (Top 40 in passing points to four A Qualifiers; Balance to four Last Chance races)
1: 1. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 2. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AR; 3. #19S Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 4. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 5. #81 Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 6. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 7. #5S Shon Deskins, Waddell, AZ; 8. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS
2: 1. #33 Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 2. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 3. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #73F Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 5. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 6. #5T Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK DNS - #71N Tim Noble, Madison, WI; #2M Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL
3. 1. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 2. #4E Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 4. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 5. #7R Blake Miller, Anaheim, CA; 6. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 7. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 8. #73E Brian Portschy, Plymouth, WI
4: 1. #11T Stan Yockey, Fresno, CA; 2. #12H Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA; 3. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 4. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #7J Jerrod Wilson, Tulsa, OK; 6. #20C C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, CA; 7. #21K Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 8. #4 Michele Miller, Birdsboro, PA
5: 1. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 2. #39R Randy Hannagan, Pittsboro, IN; 3. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 4. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 5. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 6. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 7. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 8. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS
6: 1. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 2. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 4. #63N Rex Norris III, Knightstown, IN; 5. #10H Eric Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA; 6. #97B David Cardey, Perris, CA; 7. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK
7: 1. #5E Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA; 2. #27B Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 3. #21AZ Stevie Sussex, Laveen, AZ; 4. #97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 5. #22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 6. #00 Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, AZ; 7. #53 Jack Dover, Springfield, NE
8: 1. #1AU Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 2. #7S Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 3. #22 Ray Bulls, Bloomsburg, PA; 4. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 5. #41 Gary Scelzi, Fresno, CA; 6. #4KO Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 7. #2B Brady Short, Bedford, IN
9: 1. #5F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 2. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 3. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 4. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 5. #87 Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA; 6. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 7. #14S Chris Sheil, Lakewood, CO
10: 1. #93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 2. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 4. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 5. #68C Matt Covington, Glenpool, OK; 6. #52D Derek Hagar, Marion, AR; . #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA

Last Chance Races (Top 2 in each transfer to back of corresponding A Qualifier)
1: 1. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 2. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 3. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 4. #00 Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 5. #97B David Cardey, Perris, CA; 6. #41 Gary Scelzi, Fresno, CA; 7. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 8. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; #9. #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA
2: 1. #7J Jerrod Wilson, Tulsa, OK; 2. #7R Blake Miller, Anaheim, CA; 3. #4KO Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 4. #11R Ryan Cole, Pryor, OK; 5. #5S Shon Deskins, Waddell, AZ; 6. #53 Jack Dover, Springfield, NE; 7. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 8. #71N Mark Noble, Madison, WI; 9. #87 Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA
3: 1. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 2. #10H Eric Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA; 3. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 4. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 5. #68C Matt Covington, Glenpool, OK; 6. #2B Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 7. #73E Brian Portschy, Plymouth, WI; 8. #5T Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK; DNS - #2M Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL
4: 1. #20C C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, CA; 2. #22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 3. #52D Derek Hagar, Marion, AR; 4. #4 Michele Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 5. #14S Chris Sheil, Lakewood, Co; 6. #21K Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; DNS - #81 Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK

A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
1: 1. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 2. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 3. #5F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 4. #86C Dave Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 5. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 6. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 7. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 8. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 9. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 10. Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA; 11. #22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, PA DNS - #35J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX
2: 1. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 2. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 4. #63N Rex Norris III, Knightstown, IN; 5. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 6. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 7. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 8. #73F Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 9. #7R Blake Miller, Anaheim, CA; 10. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 11. #7J Jerrod Wilson, Tulsa, OK; 12. #93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK
3: 1. #33 Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 2. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 3. #39R Randy Hannagan, Pittsboro, IN; 4. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 5. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 6. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 7. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 8. #5E Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA; 9. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 10. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 11. #21AZ Stevie Sussex, Laveen, AZ; 12. #10H Eric Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA
4: 1. #4E Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #27B Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 3. #1AU Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 4. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 5. #19S Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 6. 97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 7. #7S Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 8. #11T Stan Yockey, Fresno, CA; 9. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 10. #22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 11. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 12. #20C C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, CA

B Mains (Top 4 advance to A Main)
1: 1. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 2. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #11T Stan Yockey, Fresno, CA; 4. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 5. #22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, PA; 6. #12H Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA;  7. 14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, GA; 8. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 9. #7J Jerrod Wilson, Tulsa, OK; 10. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 11. #7S Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 12. #19S Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 13. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 14. #93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 15. #73F Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 16. #21AZ Stevie Sussex, Laveen, AZ
2: 1. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 2. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 3. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 4. #5E Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA; 5. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 7. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 8. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 9. #97 Rickey Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 10. #10H Eric Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA; 11. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 12. #7R Blake Miller, Anaheim, CA; 13. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 14. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 15. #22J Jasiel Randolph. DNS - #20C C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, CA

A Main (25 laps - Top 4 advance to Saturday Night’s Main Event)
 1. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 2. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 3. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 4. #67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 5. #33 Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 6. #4E Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 8. #5F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 9. #1AU Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 10. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 11. #27B Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 12. #86C Dave Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 13. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 14. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 15. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 16. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 17. #39R Randy Hannagan, Pittsboro, IN; 18. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 19. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 20. #63N Rex Norris III, Knightstown, IN; 21. #5E Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA; 22. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 23. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 24. #11T Stan Yockey, Fresno, CA

Chili Bowl's Friday Qualification Features to be Streamed Live on
NASCAR.com and Foxsports.com

from Motorsports Management, TULSA, OKLAHOMA (January 8, 2008) - As a special treat leading up to the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, which will be telecast live on pay-per-view on Saturday, January 12,NASCAR.com and Foxsports.com will stream a special webcast of the final qualification night
live from Tulsa's QuikTrip Center. On Friday, January 11 at 10:30 pm ET (7:30 pm PT), racing fans can log on to NASCAR.com and Foxsports.com to watch the live stream webcast of the second Twin B feature (15 laps) followed by the A feature (25 laps).

Notable driver entries scheduled for Friday's qualification heats include defending champion Tony Stewart, fellow NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne and Jason Leffler, former two-time Chili Bowl champion Cory Kruseman, multiple USAC champion Dave Darland, and road racer PJ Jones.

The live webcast will be hosted by veteran broadcaster Ken Stout and include color commentary by Dave Argabright, Larry Rice, Dr. Pat Sullivan and pit reporting by Matt Yocum.

ABOUT CHILI BOWL TELECAST:
Don't miss a minute! HBO Pay-Per-View presents the live, with no commercials, television broadcast of the 2008 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8:00 pm ET (5:00 pm PT). The HBO Pay-Per-View telecast has a suggested retail price of $24.95, and will be available to all cable and satellite homes throughout the US and Canada. Order directly from your digital cable or satellite TV system or contact your provider's customer service for details. A subscription to HBO is not required. Visit http://www.hbo.com./events/chili.

-end-

Most Magnificent in Chili Bowl Pre-Qualifier

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 8, 2008) – Iowa's Josh Most came out on top of a torrid battle for the lead to win Tuesday night's Bass Pro Shops 25-lap Pre-Qualifying feature event as the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals kicked off at the Tulsa Expo Raceway inside the QuikTrip Center.

Most and Oklahoma's Chett Gehrke swapped the point in the final rounds with Most taking the lead for keeps on the 24th lap.  Most beat Gehrke to the line, with Wisconsin's Tim Noble making a last-lap move to snare the show position.  Indiana's Anthony Peterman was fourth, with Illinois shoe Austin Brown rounding out the top five.

After starting tenth, Most needed just seven laps to muscle into the lead.  But 20th-starter Gehrke closed in over the final circuits and surged ahead on the 23rd lap, only to have Most battle back in front the next time around en route to snaring the win aboard David Camfield's Soy City Sock Company No. 6c Stealth.

"We probably could have been a little better (on the top side) because somebody showed me a nose," Most explained in the post-race press conference.  "I was only shooting for the top 15, so this is something new."

Fifteen-year-old Justin Mallo led the feature field to the green flag after accumulating the most passing points in heat race action, with Derrick Myers alongside.  Myers surrendered his starting position after being collected in an opening lap tangle, with the second start waved off as well after another tangle.

With the race going green on the next try, Mallo led the opening lap before fifth-starter Anthony Peterman charged into the lead.  Working the low side of the ¼-mile clay oval, Peterman paced the next several rounds as Most battled past Austin Brown and Brent Rees to take over second by the sixth lap.

Working the top side of the track, Most closed in on Peterman and pulled into the lead exiting turn two on the ninth lap, only to have the caution fly for Cole Peard's turn two flip that also collected Joe Cleveland.

Most wasted no time on the restart, charging by on the high side to take command, with the final caution flying after 12 laps when top-ten contenders Samantha Taylor and Chris Coers tangled in turn three. 

Most took off on the restart, while "B" Main transfer Gehrke had already worked his way up to fifth.  As Most slipped away from the pack, Gehrke quickly moved into third and began dicing for second with Peterman.

Most's advantage began to disintegrate when lapped traffic came into play on the 17th lap, with Peterman and Gehrke closing in to set up a three-car duel for the win over the final rounds.  Gehrke finally disposed of Peterman for second on the 20th lap and set his sights on Most.

And when Most went high entering turn one to get around a lapped car on the 23rd lap, Gehrke ducked to the low side and charged into the lead.  But Gehrke got loose exiting turn two the next time around, allowing Most to race back by on the high side.

Most held on over the final lap to take the win in front of Gehrke, who settled for runner-up honors in his Ford Focus-powered Aero Automation No. 93c Beast.  "I learned patience last year, so I didn't have to learn it this year."

Badger shoe Tim Noble gained several positions over the final half of the race, slipping by Peterman on the final lap to snare third aboard James Fiscus' Esslinger-powered Ferguson Enterprises No. 71n Spike.

"I feel sorry for the guy that got fourth because I ran him over coming to the line, he came off the cushion and I was a little bit sideways and we both bounced across," Noble commented afterward.

Peterman was fourth in Robert Peterman's B.K.C. No. 7p Stealth, with Austin Brown rounding out the top five in Sherry Brown's Esslinger-powered O'Reilly POWRi No. 7a Spike.

Modified racer Eddie Martin climbed from twelfth to sixth, with fellow sixth-row starter Blake Fitzpatrick in seventh.  Rees crossed the stripe eighth, with Ryan Cole and 23rd-starter Caleb Armstrong completing the top ten.

Cole, Justin Melton, Myers, Taylor, Joey Fabozzi, Most, Fitzpatrick, Mallo, Martin and Peterman topped heat race action for the 76-car field.  Melton was originally slated to start the feature fourth row outside but was relegated to the tail when forced to the work area for quick repairs to get his mount to fire.  Melton bounced back to finish twelfth.

Larry Campbell and Colby Copeland topped "C" Main action, with Joe Cleveland and Gehrke winning the twin "B" Mains.

Don Hammer, Doug Nunes, Jay Mounce and Tyler Robbins each got upside down in heat race action.  Robbins flipped in his "C" Main as well, with Campbell flipping in his "B" Main.  Brian Portschy and Peard both tumbled in the main event.  There were no injuries.

With the triumph, Most advances to Friday night's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying event along with Peterman (fourth), Fitzpatrick (seventh), Armstrong (tenth) and Austin Mero (13th).

Runner-up Gehrke moves on to Thursday's Warren CAT Qualifier along with Austin Brown (fifth), Rees (eighth), Eric Todd (eleventh) and Cleveland (14th).

Third-place finisher Noble moves to Wednesday night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown along with Martin (sixth), Cole (ninth), Melton (twelfth) and Portschy (15th).

The balance of Tuesday's field will start out in the early portion of Saturday's Bass Pro Shops Championship feature events.

Tuesday Night's Bass Pro Shops Pre-Qualifier Results:

Heat Races (Top 18 in passing points to A Main; Next 32 to B Mains; Balance to C Mains)
1:  1. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 2. #89JR Todd McVay, Lee’s Summit, MO; 3. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 4. #99J  Robby Josett, Santa Clarita, CA; 5. #11D Doug DeWitt, Sunnyvale, CA; 6. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 7. #6P Trish Dover, Springfield, NE; 8. #1B Scott Crystal, Overland Park, KS
2: 1. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 2. #73E Brian Portschy, Plymouth, WI; 3. #51C Brent Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 4. #10P Will Pierce, Lee’s Summit, MO; 5. #5W Kurt Davis, Milwaukee, WI; 6. #45 Don Hammer, Clinton, IL; DNS - #78C David Budres, Beloit, WI; #4M James Sweeney, Placerville, CA
3: 1. #25X Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 2. #7T Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 3. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 4. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 5. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 6. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 7. #12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL; 8. #27C Doug Nunes, Kingsburg, CA
4: 1. #17S Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 2. #87D Brent Rees, Arvada, CO; 3. #4R Bobby Ross, St. Joseph, MO; 4. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 5. #92 Brandon Wagner, Lafayette, IN; 6. #21S Lee Beckwith, Channahon, IL; 7. #9B Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; 8. #0K Don O’Keefe Jr., Pittsboro, IN
5: 1. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 2. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 3. #33a Chris Coers, Columbus, IN; 4. #6J Justin Hendricks, Stillwater, OK; 5. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 6. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 7. #31X Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 8. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, TX
6: 1. #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 2. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 3. #63R Kyle Robbins, New Castle, IN; 4. #175 Brian Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 5. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 6. #48 Lee Little, Mustang, OK; 7. #14H Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; 8. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL
7: 1. #73I Blake Fitzpatrick, West Terre Haute, IN; 2. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #10F Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 4. #17X Billy Mentgen, Golden, CO; 5. #4C Dalton Cole, Pryor, OK; 6. #33X Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; DNS - #32K Kirk Kubik, Long Beach, CA
8: 1. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 2. #50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, CA; 3. #63 Paul Perkins, Bristol, WI; 4. #98D Dave Scroggs, Arvada, CO; 5. #8M Dan Mecum, Marengo, IL; 6. #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK; 7. #22WA Eric Young, Covington, WA
9: 1. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 2. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 3. #6E Rafe Essary, Fayetteville, AR; 4. #75D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 5. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 6. #51W Scott Walton, Inola, OK; 7. #93H Brian Harvey, Sherman, TX
10:  1. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 2. #71N Tim Noble, Madison, WI; 3. #7C Doug Frye, Wheatland, MO; 4. #28 Nathan Smith, Valencia, CA; 5. #15K Brandon Knupp, Troutman, NC; 6. #1F Mike Fulper, Cumberland, OH; 7. #10 T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA

C Mains (Top 2 transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
1:  1. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 2. #15K Brandon Knupp, Troutman, NC; 3. #9B Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; 4. #48 Lee Little, Mustang, OK; 5. #1B Scott Crystal, Overland Park, KS; 6. #93H Brian Harvey, Sherman, TX; 7. #6P Trish Dover, Springfield, NE; 8. #0K Don O’Keefe Jr., Pittsboro, IN; 9. #14H Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; 10. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; DNS - #1F Mike Fulper, Cumberland, OH; #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK; #78c David Budres, Beloit, WI
2: 1. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 2. #31X Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 3. #12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL; 4. #10T T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 5. #32K Kirk Kubik, Long Beach, CA; 6. 33X Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; 7. #21S Lee Beckwith, Channahon, IL; 8. #51W Scott Walton, Inola, OK DNS - #45 Don Hammer, Clinton, IL; #22WA Eric Young, Covington, WA; #27C Doug Nunes, Kingsburg, CA; #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, TX; #4M James Sweeney, Placerville, CA

B Mains (Top 3 advance to A Main)
1: #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 2. #63 Paul Perkins, Bristol, WI; 3. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 4. #75D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 5. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Fayetteville, AR; 6. #4R Bobby Ross, St. Joseph, MO; 7. #92 Brandon Wagner, Lafayette, IN; 8. #7C Doug Frye, Wheatland, MO; 9. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 10. #51C Brent Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 11. #175 Brian Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 12. #10F Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 13. #8M Dan Mecum, Marengo, IL; 14. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 15. #98D Dave Scroggs, Arvada, CO; 16. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 17. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 18. #15K Brandon Knupp, Troutman, NC
2: 1. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #33A Chris Coers, Columbus, IN; 3. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 4. #10P Will Pierce, Lee’s Summit, MO; 5. #50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, CA; 6. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 7. #17X Billy Mentgen, Golden, CO; 8. #31X Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 9. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 10. #28 Nathan Smith, Valencia, CA; 11. #4C Dalton Cole, Pryor, OK; 12. #6J Justin Hendricks, Stillwater, OK; 13. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 14. #5W Kurt Davis, Milwaukee, WI; 15. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 16. #11D Doug DeWitt, Sunnyvale, CA; 17. #99J Robby Josett, Santa Clarita, CA; 18. #6E Rafe Essary, Fayetteville, AR
 
A Main (25 laps - Top 15 Advance to Qualifying Nights)
1. #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 2. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #71N Tim Noble, Madison, WI; 4. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 5. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 6. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 7. #73I Blake Fitzpatrick, West Terre Haute, IN; 8. #87D Brent Rees, Arvada, CO; 9. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 10. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 11. #7T Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 12. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 13. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 14. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 15. #73E Brian Portschy, Plymouth, WI; 16. #63 Paul Perkins, Bristol, WI; 17. #33A Chris Coers, Columbus, IN; 18. #63R Kyle Robbins, New Castle, IN; 19. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 20. #17S Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 21. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 22. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 23. #89JR Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 24. #25X Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL

Chili Bowl Tuesday…

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla.  (January 8, 2008) – The anticipation has been mounting for weeks now, if not months.  Now, it's finally here, the kickoff of the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals at the Tulsa Expo Raceway in the QuikTrip Center.

After parking everybody inside the building on Monday, the engines fired to life with a practice session at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.  The field of 286 entries was divided up into 24 practice groups, with each group getting one session atop the ¼-mile clay oval.

While no major incidents took place during practice, Texan George White was the week's first flip victim when he got upside down in turn three a dozen groups into the day.  Then in one of the final sessions, Kevin Swindell flipped in turn two.  There was no major damage to either machine.

Hot laps for Tuesday night's Bass Pro Shops Pre-Qualifying Event begin at 5:00 p.m., with Heat Races going green at 7:00 p.m.

Complete recap and race notes will be available at www.chilibowl.com following tonight's action.

-end-  

Jesse Hocket putting his midget through its paces on Saturday. Picture © Lonnie Wheatley. 

Teams Opt for Early Chili Bowl Practice on Saturday

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 5, 2008) – It's a Saturday just a couple of days prior to the biggest motorsports event of the year, the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals atop the famed Tulsa Expo Raceway ¼-mile clay oval.

Bitterly cold temperatures earlier in the week have finally succumbed to pleasant weather, with temperatures flirting with the 70-degree mark.  What do you do?

If you're some of the teams entered in the Chili Bowl Nationals, you take full advantage as Will Rogers Raceway in Claremore, OK, just a half hour or so northeast of Tulsa, swung open its gates for an open practice session.

And 20 or teams took to the 1/5-mile oval in preparation for the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, which runs from Tuesday to Saturday, January 8-12.

Some drivers tested new rides.  Others tested new components.  But, most importantly, it served as an opportunity to work out some bugs that could have otherwise proven to be a major problem without the extra shakedown.

Taking his first laps in a new DRC-chassis Midget, Missouri's Jesse Hockett detected an oil leak in his first session.  Oil leak repaired, Hockett got in several sessions to become comfortable with the car.

Dustin Morgan of Collinsville, OK, took in the most practice laps, working the bugs out of a new injection system after the first couple of runs.

Gary Taylor, a Washington state native now calling Sapulpa, OK, home, was trying out a new fuel injection system as well.  And he was also getting his first laps in a new Triple-X chassis, the only one of its kind that will compete in the Chili Bowl.

After three separate runs, Taylor was satisfied.  "It did what we wanted it to do, it responded to the changes we made to it and we know what to expect.  We're very pleased with it."

Tim McCreadie, the 2006 Chili Bowl champion, was originally slated to pilot a Triple-X as well.  But when his engine wouldn't fit properly within the frame rails, the McCreadie team will try something else.  No such problems for Taylor and the Tel-Star Communications team though.

While some teams successfully worked out some unexpected obstacles, others weren't so fortunate.

Kevin Battles turned just a few laps before his engine tossed a rod through the block, likely lessening Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifier roster by one.

And in the opening session of the day, Justin Hendricks (aboard Scott Benic's No. 6J) tested the integrity of the third turn wall.  The wall proved sturdy, inflicting major damage on the machine.

Jerrod Wilson, fresh off winning another Golden Driller in "A" Class Micro Sprint competition at last weekend's Tulsa Shootout, turned a few laps before breaking a valve retainer in the powerplant.  "I don't think it's anything major, we'll be alright," Wilson commented.  "I was just starting to get a good feel for the car, I was getting an idea of just how far I could push it into the corners.  It's quite an adjustment from the Micros."

Among those taking in the practice session were Donnie Ray Crawford, Jasiel Randolph, Dustin Morgan, Justin Melton, Jonathan Beason, Jesse Hockett, Gary Taylor, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Dennis Rodriguez, Kevin Battles, Dex Eaton, Ricky Williams, Darren Stewart, Jerrod Wilson, Brady Short, Justin Hendricks and Jonathan Halford, who struggled getting his car to fire all day.

Also spied taking in the activities was Matt Sherrell, who is set to pilot one of the eight Keith Kunz Motorsports entries.  "They just finished putting the cars together and are on the way," Sherrell relayed.   "I'm thrilled to be driving one of their cars, I'm really looking forward to this week."

Will Rogers Raceway is slated to host another practice session on Sunday afternoon from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.

-end-

22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals and Where They Come From
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla.  (January 5, 2008) – Distance is no object.  Nor are any supposed travel concerns.  Perpetually over-inflated fuel prices be damned.

There is no stopping those intent upon reaching Tulsa, OK, each January, as is evidenced by the 285 entries for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, set to unfold atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center next week, January 8-12.

Entries have been filed from all corners of the country and beyond, with 29 states as well as Canada and Australia represented.

A nomadic sort by nature, drivers are listed by state according to what was listed as the hometown on their entry forms, which may in some cases differ from their original hometown and state.

The states and their representatives are as follows:

Arizona (12) – Terry Goodwin (2g), Shon Deskins (5s), Jerry Coons, Jr. (11), Nathan High (12jr), Stevie Sussex (21az), Chad Boat (30), Bob Ream, Jr. (34), Ron Shuman (37T), Casey Shuman (37x), Mike Leslie (42), J.J. Yeley (47x), R.J. Johnson (51)

Arkansas (4) – Rafe Essary (6e), Larry Campbell (31c), Derek Hagar (52d), Kurt Blackaby (83).

California (65) – Darrin Bolton (XX), Dennis Rodriguez (1d), Steve Davis (2d), Chris Rahe (3c), Danny Ebberts (5e), Greg Bragg (05b), P.J. Jones (05J), Blake Miller (7r), Shannon McQueen (7s), Randi Pankratz (8), Bud Kaeding (8x), Cameron Beard (9b), Mason Moore (10m), T.J. Smith (10T), Shane Golobic (10w), Doug DeWitt (11d), Stan Yockey (11T), Travis Berryhill (11z), Rick Hendrix (12h), Tyler Walker (13), Matt Streeter (14jr), David Prickett (15n), Kevin Morris (17k), Justin Grant (17T), Floyd Alvis (18), Troy Rutherford (19s), Mike Spencer (19w), C.J. Sarna (20c), John Sarna (20s), Ryan Kaplan (21k), Austin Mero (25m), Glenn Carson (26), Doug Nunes (27c), Kyle Larson (27d), Nathan Smith (28), Darren Hagen (32), Kirk Kubik (32k), Austin Smith (33s), Scott Pierovich (35p), Matt Mitchell (37), Tyler Brown (37b), Colby Copeland (37c), Jason Meyers (39T), Gary Scelzi (41), Cory Kruseman (47), Brad Sweet (49e), Bobby Michnowicz (49JR), Jeff Griffin (50J), Brent Camarillo (51c), Danny Sheridan (51s), Cole Peard (58), Brett Miller (64), Garrett Hansen (70), Cole Whitt (71), Jason Leffler (71k), Josh Ford (73), Josh Wise (75), Joey Fabozzi (84), Johnny Rodriguez (87), Johnathon Henry (88), Alan Ballard (97a), David Cardey (97b), Robby Josett (99J), Thomas Meseraull (132), Brian Camarillo (175).

Colorado (8) – Steve Newman (11s), Chris Sheil (14s), Tony Rossi (14T), Billy Mentgen (17x), Scott Fennell (33x), Brent Rees (87d), Dave Scroggs (98d), Kyle Rayburn (99k).

Connecticut (1) – Kelly Ferrell (10F).

Georgia (1) – Mark Bush (2).

Illinois (29) – Joey Moughan (2m), Kevin Olson (4ko), Zach Daum (5d), Patrick Bruns (5x), Austin Brown (7a), Dan Mecum (8m), Jay Mounce (12m), Tim Siner (15), Chris Windom (17), Kenny Brown (17b), Levi Jones (20J), Lee Beckwith (21s), Derrick Myers (25x), Donnie Lehmann (31), Davey Ray (33), Jeff Davis (d33), Mat Neely (35), Tyler Robbins (35T), Don Hammer (45), Daniel Adler (50), Mike Hess (51), Nick Knepper (55k), Bubba Altig (67a), A.J. Fike (69), David Gough (75x), Kellen Conover (76), Justin Allgaier (86), Dave Camfield, Jr. (86c), Rich Camfield (87c).

Indiana (33) – Don O'Keefe, Jr. (0k), Shane Cottle (1st), Brady Short (2b), Bobby East (4e), Jon Stanbrough (05s), Critter Malone (7), Dakoda Armstrong (7d), Anthony Peterman (7p), Jason Holt (8J), Joey Saldana (9), Dave Darland (9x), Russ Harper (09), Billy Wease (12w), Tony Stewart (20), Tracy Hines (21), Danny Stratton (21a), Jimmy Light (23J), Chris Coers (33a), Randy Hannagan (39R), Jeff Bland, Jr. (43), Johnny Heydenreich (57b), Rex Norris III (63n), Kyle Robbins (63r), Bryan Clauson (67), Jonathan Hendrick (68), Cruz Pedregon (71c), Damion Gardner (71g), Brad Kuhn (71x), Blake Fitzpatrick (73i), Shane Hollingsworth (85), Brandon Wagner (92), Caleb Armstrong (97k), Brent Beauchamp (112).
 
Iowa (3) – Josh Most (6c), Jody Rosenboom (6x), Terry McCarl (11).

Kansas (7) – Scott Crystal (1b), Chad McDaniel (1c), Joe Cleveland (11c), Garrett Hood (11h), Rick England (12c), Garry Lee Maier (73s), Andrew Deal (75d).

Minnesota (1) – Scott Winters (23w).

Mississippi (1) – Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (97).

Missouri (17) – Jesse Stovall (00s), Hunter Schuerenberg (1h), Tony Roney (1T), Robby Ross (4R), Bill Allen (5a), Joey Montgomery (5c), Brad Loyet (05), Danny Lasoski (05L), Joe Boyles (7b), Doug Frye (7c), Eric Todd (7T), Will Pierce (10T), Steve Stroud (21x), Jesse Hockett (29L), Joe Walker (37J), Andrew Felker (73F), Todd McVay (89JR).

North Carolina (1) – Brandon Knupp (15k).

North Dakota (1) – Lee Grosz (31L).

Nebraska (5) – Trish Dover (6p), Tadd Holliman (23), Jack Dover (53), Don Droud, Jr. (71), Ryan Durst (191).

New Jersey (3) – Frank Polimeda (44F), Billy Pauch, Jr. (49), Nick Wean (78J).

New York (4) – Coleman Gulick (00), Tim McCreadie (1au), Jessica Zemken (6z), Jerry Higbie, Jr. (39J).

Ohio (6) – Mike Fulper (1F), Tony Beaber (3T), Chad Kemenah (8k), Ricky Williams (11x), Matt Westfall (14), Bart Hartman (75h).

Oklahoma (32) – Eddie Martin (1x), Dalton Cole (4c), Mike Goodman (5F), Randy Timms (5T), Gary Taylor (5*), Wayne Johnson (F5), Justin Hendricks (6J), Jerrod Wilson (7J), Michelle Decker (7mx), Darren Stewart (7x), Ryan Cole (11R), Trey Robb (12), Harley Hollan (14h), Nick O'Neal (19n), Jasiel Randolph (22J), Shane Stewart (22s), Joe Duvall (31x), Jonathan Beason (36), Lee Little (48), Scott Walton (51w), Donnie Ray Crawford (55), Dex Eaton (59), Kevin Battles (61), Matt Sherrell (67k), Matt Covington (68c), Shane Carson (81), Jonathan Halford (83h), Matt Johnson (85J), Kevin Bayer (91k), Dustin Morgan (93), Cody Brewer (96), Brady Bacon (99).

Pennsylvania (7) – Tracy Miller (3), Michele Miller (4), Eric Heydenreich (10h), Andy Martin (21m), Ray Bull (22), Steve Buckwalter (25), Ryan Smith (54).

South Dakota (1) – Justin Henderson (d1).

Tennessee (2) – Sammy Swindell (1), Kevin Swindell (39).

Texas (14) – Johnny Murdock (0), Paul White (1w), Tommy Bryant (2a), Brian Carter (6), Kevin Ramey (7m), Gary Wright (07), Doug McCune (9m), George White (10), Danny Burke (15b), Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (15x), Bill Eslick (24), Justin Melton (36J), Travis Rilat (67x), Brian Harvey (93h).

Virginia (2) – French Grimes (F1), Randy Monroe, Jr. (27).

Washington (3) – Samantha Taylor (17s), Eric Young (22wa), Kasey Kahne (91).

Wisconsin (9) – Kurt Davis (5w), Aaron Fiscus (7F), Brandon Waelti (7w), Randy Koch (57k), Paul Perkins (63), Tim Noble (71n), Brian Portschy (73e), David Budres (78c), Chad DeSelle (94).

West Virginia (1) – Josh Richards (20R).

Wyoming (1) – Justin Mallo (6m).

Ontario, Canada (2) – Glenn Styres (0b), Stewart Friesen (13au).

New South Wales, Australia (1) – Mark Brown (71b).

Eight entries are still listed as TBA's with the driver yet to be determined.

22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Fires Off Next Week!

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 3, 2008) – As has become tradition over the past couple of decades, the racing world's attention shifts squarely upon Tulsa, OK, next week as the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals takes place January 8-12 atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center.

From humble beginnings in 1987 that attracted just over 50 cars and a slim crowd, the Chili Bowl Nationals has evolved into a blockbuster event with jam-packed grandstands each night and an indoor pit area bursting at the seams with top guns from all variety of racing disciplines.

And, like the fans, the racers come in increasingly vast numbers with each passing year it seems, as this year's entry list has reached 282 entries from 27 states as well as Canada and Australia.  Last year's edition of the Chili Bowl featured a record number of 267 competitors, a record that will likely fall by the way side next week.

Few could have imagined way back in 1987 that the Chili Bowl would develop into the mega-event that it has become, with NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne racing alongside all variety of high-speed chauffeurs, some handsomely paid and some just getting by from one race to the next.

From the nation's top open wheelers in the Sprint Car and Midget ranks to some Late Model and DIRT Modified aces such as 2006 Chili Bowl winner Tim McCreadie and even straight-liners like Gary Scelzi and Cruz Pedregon, you have a true cross section of the American auto racing scene represented inside the building formerly known as the Tulsa Expo Center.

True, the likes of Stewart, Kahne, Yeley, Leffler and others frequented the Chili Bowl before making the successful leap to the purported "big-time".  But they've continued to come back to Tulsa each January, with Tony Stewart's two Chili Bowl triumphs coming in 2002 and 2007, well after his IRL championship in 1997 and subsequent shift to NASCAR.

You may ask yourself, why?

Stewart, familiarly known as "Smoke Johnson" around Tulsa, perhaps put it best a couple of years ago.  “Where are you going to go in the country where you have 250 of the best all in one place for four days running for one prize?  You win this race you’ve got bragging rights for a year.  I don’t care what you do for the rest of the season, you could drop out of every race for the rest of the year, but you still got bragging rights that you won the Chili Bowl.”

Of course, that was three years ago, when there were "only" 250 entries and "only" four nights of racing.  A car count that swelled from 167 to 249 in the span from 2002 to 2005 prompted the addition of a Tuesday night Pre-Qualifying event last year, when 267 took part.  

The reasons are countless why thousands upon thousands spend much of the year planning the annual trek to Tulsa.  A key reason is the atmosphere, the "feel" of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.  Bottom line, it's fun.  That keeps Tony Stewart coming back; that keeps Dave Darland coming back; that keeps Mark Bush coming back; that keeps Johnny Murdock coming back.  That keeps the fans coming back.

The Chili Bowl got that "feel" in the early days.  And while the event has grown in leaps and bounds, falling under the nation's microscope (well, the world's for that matter), the Chili Bowl still possesses that same, undeniable charm it obtained in the early years.  It's the big event with the same comfortable, laid-back, grassroots feel to it that drew countless fans and racers for the first time.  And more often than not, vows were made after the first visit to never miss another one.

No point chases to worry about, few worries at all to be sure.  And, when all is said and done and the final checkered flag falls on Saturday night's feature, one talented (and lucky) driver leaves with that coveted Golden Driller trophy.  And bragging rights for a year.

-end- 

Chili Bowl Nationals Kick Off Party Monday at Bass Pro Shops

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla.  (January 2, 2008) – With the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals set to fire off in less than a week at the QuickTrip Center on the Tulsa State Fairgrounds, those around town a day early can take in the Chili Bowl Nationals Kick Off Party at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow, OK, on Monday night, January 7.

Monday's Kick Off Party precedes five nights of intense racing atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval on January 8-12, as approximately 280 drivers from throughout the nation and beyond will battle it out for bragging rights and the coveted Golden Driller trophy.

Monday night's festivities at Bass Pro Shops kick off at 6:00 p.m. with all variety of games, prizes and giveaways throughout the evening.

Several members of the Tony Stewart Motorsports team, including 2005 Chili Bowl champion Tracy Hines along with USAC Sprint Car champion Levi Jones and Late Model ace Josh Richards, will be on hand for an autograph session.

Fans providing proof of a Chili Bowl ticket purchase can also enter for a chance to ride in the Chili Bowl pace truck.

The King of Bucks Trailer, containing the most distinguished array of trophy whitetails in the world, will be on hand as well.

Fans can also spin the wheel to win a Bass Pro Shops souvenir and enter for Chili Bowl giveaways only available at Bass Pro Shops.  Fans can also get an official Bass Pro Shops Chili Bowl photo taken, only available at the Chili Bowl Kick Off Party.

Bass Pro Shops is located off S.H. 51 (Broken Arrow Expressway), just ten miles from the Tulsa Expo Raceway.

The flyer for the Bass Pro Shops Chili Bowl Kick Off Party is available for download at www.chilibowl.com/bpscbkop08.zip.

Additional information regarding the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777. 

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Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals – Nightly Lineups Announced!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 27, 2007) – With another blockbuster edition of the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals less than two weeks away, the talent-laden field of entries has been divvied up into qualifying nights.

Currently, 277 entries from 27 different states as well as Canada and Australia have been filed for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, which takes place atop the Tulsa Expo Raceway ¼-mile clay oval located inside the QuikTrip Center on January 8-12, 2008.

A half dozen of the entered drivers have already captured the Golden Driller on at least one occasion, including defending Chili Bowl champ and two-time winner Tony Stewart.  Stewart became just the fourth driver to take top Chili Bowl honors on more than one occasion, joining the likes of four-time winner Sammy Swindell and two-time winner Cory Kruseman, who will both make a bid for another Golden Driller in 2008.  Other past winners entered include 2006 champ Tim McCreadie, 2005 winner Tracy Hines and 1990 ace Johnny Heydenreich.

A total of 195 entries have been distributed over the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Qualifying events to vie for starting positions in Saturday's full slate of Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday feature events, which will commence with twin "K" Mains before finally culminating in Saturday night's 50-lap Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals championship "A" Main event.

Another 82 entries have been designated for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event, consisting of newcomers or relative newcomers to the Chili Bowl.  The top 15 finishers from Tuesday's Pre-Qualifier will advance to the Qualifying Night events.  The balance of Tuesday's field will start in Saturday's early features.

A quick look at each night's entries follows.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008 – Pre-Qualifying Night
With 82 set for the second Pre-Qualifying event in Chili Bowl history, the big question is "Who will be this year's Bubba Altig?"  Last year, the relative unknown became a household name with a last lap Tuesday night win and then backed it up by locking himself into Saturday's finale with a top-four run on his qualifying night.

The current field of Pre-Qualifying entries consists of 38 Chili Bowl rookies, with another 21 that competed in last year's Tuesday night event.  Several to keep an eye on that made last year's Tuesday night feature and hit the track this time around with the extra experience include Samantha Taylor (11th last year), Jeff Griffin (14th), Joey Fabozzi (17th), Dalton Cole (19th), Rafe Essary (22nd) and Cameron Beard (24th).

One of the 80 or so will enjoy the Chili Bowl spotlight at the end of the night, with 15 moving on to Qualifying night festivities where some will likely make their Chili Bowl mark.  The balance of the field gets an early wake up call on Saturday.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008 – Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
The wagering pools heat up on Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night at the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, with some of the headliners including 2006 Chili Bowl king Tim McCreadie, three-time Chili Bowl runner-up Danny Lasoski, National Midget Driver of the Year Jerry Coons, Jr., and Michael Waltrip Racing development driver and Sprint Car and Midget grad Josh Wise.

Other Creek Nation Casino Wednesday night aces include 2007 USAC Sprint Car champion Levi Jones, six-time ARDC champion Ray Bull, Badger ace Davey Ray, Casey Shuman, 2007 Chili Bowl rookie sensation Donnie Ray Crawford, Bryan Clauson, USAC Western States Midget champ Johnny Rodriguez, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and World of Outlaws Sprint Car runner-up Joey Saldana.

Past Wednesday night winners:  Davey Ray (2007), Danny Lasoski (2006), Josh Ford (2005), Danny Lasoski (2004), Dan Boorse (2003), Kevin Doty (2002).

Wednesday's Chili Bowl Nationals Rookie Contenders:  Andrew Felker, Derek Hagar, Eric Heydenreich, Blake Miller, Kevin Ramey, Gary Scelzi, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brad Sweet, Jerrod Wilson

Wednesday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Ten or more years of Chili Bowl experience):  Donnie Lehmann 18, Danny Lasoski 16, Kevin Olson 15, Dave Camfield, Jr. 13, Jerry Coons, Jr. 10, Johnny Murdock 10.

Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Wednesday's Entries:  Danny Lasoski 14, Kevin Olson 10, Jerry Coons, Jr., 8, Matt Westfall 5, Shane Carson 4, Donnie Lehmann 4, Rick Hendrix 3, Tim McCreadie 3, Davey Ray 3, Ray Bull 2, Casey Shuman 2, Josh Wise 2, Donnie Ray Crawford 1, Danny Ebberts 1, A.J. Fike 1, Aaron Fiscus 1, Josh Ford 1, Wayne Johnson 1, Mat Neely 1, Johnny Rodriguez 1.

Thursday, January 10, 2008 – Warren CAT Qualifying Night
A pair of past Chili Bowl champs including four-time winner Sammy Swindell and 2005 champ Tracy Hines headline Thursday night's Warren CAT Qualifying field, with 2007 runner-up J.J. Yeley and last year's Thursday night winner, Shane Cottle, also among the top threats.

Other top Thursday cats include National Non-Wing Sprint Car Driver of the Year Jon Stanbrough, USAC Silver Crown champion Bud Kaeding, young gun Chris Windom, Danny Stratton, Garrett Hansen, Badger Midget champ Brad Kuhn, '07 Chili Bowl podium finisher Justin Allgaier and Tulsa-area hotshoe Brady Bacon.

Past Thursday night winners:  Shane Cottle (2007), Jay Drake (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Jason Leffler (2004), Scott Hatton (2003), Tracy Hines (2002), Jay Drake (2001), Dave Darland (2000), Kevin Doty (1999), Jason Leffler (1998), Dave Blaney (1997), Billy Pauch (1996), Billy Boat (1995), Page Jones (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Kevin Doty (1992), Lealand McSpadden (1991), John Heydenreich (1990).

Thursday's Chili Bowl Nationals Rookie Contenders:  Tommy Bryant, Stewart Friesen, Shane Golobic, Justin Grant, Jerry Higbie, Jr., Dennis Rodriguez, Nick Wean, George White.

Thursday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Ten or more years of Chili Bowl experience):  Sammy Swindell 17, Johnny Heydenreich 16, Critter Malone 15, Randy Koch 15, Bill Allen 13, Tracy Hines 11, J.J. Yeley 11, Nick O'Neal 10, Gary Wright 10.

Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Thursday's Entries:  Sammy Swindell 15, Tracy Hines 9, Randy Koch 7, J.J. Yeley 5, Shane Cottle 4, Gary Wright 4, Johnny Heydenreich 3, Bud Kaeding 3, Jon Stanbrough 3, Justin Allgaier 2, Chad DeSelle 2, Garrett Hansen 2, Brad Kuhn 2, Critter Malone 2, Tyler Brown 1, Ryan Durst 1, David Gough 1, Jonathan Hendrick 1, Danny Stratton 1, Brandon Waelti 1, Tyler Walker 1, Chris Windom 1. 

Friday, January 11, 2008 – O'Reilly Qualifying Night
The final night of Qualifying action finds two-time and defending Chili Bowl champ Tony Stewart squaring off with fellow two-time winner Cory Kruseman along with NASCAR star Kasey Kahne and past USAC champion Dave Darland.

Other top Friday contenders include Bobby East, Wayne Johnson, P.J. Jones, Joe Boyles, Terry McCarl, Steve Buckwalter, Darren Hagen, Jason Leffler, Damion Gardner, Jason Meyers and Bubba Altig, who bypasses Tuesday night this time around.

Past Friday night winners:  Dave Darland (2007), Cory Kruseman (2006), Cory Kruseman (2005), Jerry Coons, Jr. (2004), Cory Kruseman (2003), Cory Kruseman (2002), Jay Drake (2001), Cory Kruseman (2000), Dan Boorse (1999), Sammy Swindell (1998), Donnie Beechler (1997), Donnie Beechler (1996), Ron Shuman (1995), Ron Shuman (1994), Ken Schrader (1993), Ken Schrader (1992), Sammy Swindell (1991), Sammy Swindell (1990), Rich Vogler (1989), Danny Frye, Jr. (1988), Gene Gennetten (1987). 

Friday's Chili Bowl Nationals Rookie Contenders:  Jeff Bland, Jr., Jason Holt, Kyle Larson, Brett Miller, Bob Ream, Jr., Ryan Smith, Scott Winters.

Friday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Ten or more years of Chili Bowl experience):  Rich Camfield 17, Steve Newman 16, Tony Stewart 11, Jason Leffler 11, Dave Darland 10, Cory Kruseman 10, P.J. Jones 10.

Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Friday's Entries:  Dave Darland 9, Jason Leffler 9, Ron Shuman 9, Tony Stewart 9, Cory Kruseman 8, P.J. Jones 6, Kasey Kahne 4, Steve Buckwalter 3, Joe Boyles 3, Rich Camfield 2, Don Droud, Jr. 2, Bobby East 2, Mike Hess 2, Wayne Johnson 2, Troy Rutherford 2, Bubba Altig 1, Damion Gardner 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Jason Meyers 1, Paul White 1.

Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Entry Count – 274 and Counting!

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla.  (December 14, 2007) – With the biggest Bowl event of the season set to kick off in less than four weeks, the entry count for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals has climbed to near-record territory with 257 entries filed as of the close of business on Friday.

With more entries expected as the pre-entry deadline of December 15 is reached this weekend, last year's record count of 267 competitors for the prestigious, indoor, dirt-track racing event is expected to be rivaled.

The 22nd edition of the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is set to unfold over the course of five nights, from January 8-12, 2008, atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway inside what is now dubbed the QuikTrip Center, known familiarly for years as the Tulsa Expo Center.

The complete, current list of official pre-entries for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/2008chilibowlentries.asp, with clickable links for most drivers containing the driver's Chili Bowl history, 2007 Chili Bowl results, brief 2007 recap and 2008 Chili Bowl entry information.  Those without clickable links yet are in progress and will be available in the coming days.

22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Pre-Entry Notes:

Back-to-Back: Through the first 21 years of the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, no driver has ever topped the event in back-to-back years.  NASCAR star Tony Stewart will have a second chance to repeat after winning last year's Chili Bowl.  After his first Bowl triumph in 2002, "Smoke" scored a third place finish in 2003.

States:  The field for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is not only national, but international as well with drivers from 25 different states as well as Australia and Canada represented among the current 257 entries. 

California leads the way with 55 entries.  States represented among the current entries are as follows: Arkansas (3), Arizona (10), California (55), Colorado (7), Georgia (1), Illinois (28), Indiana (28), Iowa (3), Kansas (6), Missouri (16), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (3), New Jersey (3), New York (2), North Carolina (1), Ohio (7), Oklahoma (26), Pennsylvania (8), Tennessee (2), Texas (11), Virginia (2), Washington (2), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (9), Wyoming (1).  One driver from New South Wales in Australia is entered (Mark Brown) and one driver from Ontario in Canada is entered (Glenn Styres).  Nineteen entries have drivers to be determined. 

Past Winners:  Five past Chili Bowl winners have already entered, including Tony Stewart, Sammy Swindell, Cory Kruseman, Tracy Hines and Johnny Heydenreich.  The entry from 2006 Chili Bowl champion Tim McCreadie is expected in the coming days.

Diversity:  The field represents a wide variety of racing disciplines, including NASCAR, ARCA, winged Sprint Cars, wingless Sprint Cars, Midgets, Late Models, DIRT Modifieds, Modifieds, Micros and more.

Newman Out and Meyers In:  Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Ryan Newman has been forced to relinquish his seat aboard Corey Tucker's No. 39 entry.  Taking the ride will be World of Outlaws Sprint Car shoe Jason Meyers, who finished the 2007 season on a strong note with a $20,000 triumph in I-30 Speedway's Short Track Nationals and then the overall victory in Thunderbowl Speedway's Trophy Cup.

Feature Starters:  Fifty-six of the entered drivers have started at least one Chili Bowl championship main event in the past.  Tops on the list is four-time Chili Bowl kingpin Sammy Swindell with 15 main event starts, followed by Danny Lasoski (14), Kevin Olson (10) and Tony Stewart, Tracy Hines and Jason Leffler (each with 9).

Rookies:  Fifty-two of the currently entered drivers are embarking upon their first Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.  Notables among the Rookie crop include 18-year-old Hunter Schuerenberg (aboard a Yeley-owned entry), Justin Marks (finished fifth in ARCA points), Jerrod Wilson (won multiple Golden Driller trophies in Micro action at the Tulsa Shootout), Kevin Ramey (two-time ASCS Sooner Region champion), Blake Miller (ninth in USAC/CRA points), George White (Cowtown Speedway sprint car champion), Eric Heydenreich (ARDC runner-up), Justin Grant (17-year-old BCRA Midget champion), Bob Ream, Jr. (past Arizona state Sprint Car champion), Jerry Higbie, Jr. (DIRT Modified ace), Gary Scelzi (past NHRA champion), Jeff Bland, Jr. (National Non-Wing Rookie of the Year and Bloomington Speedway track champion), Brad Sweet (first time aboard Kasey Kahne midget), Ryan Smith (ARDC Rookie of the Year) and Andrew Felker (30 micro wins in 2007 including $10,000-to-win Non-Wing Nationals in Nebraska).

Additional Dodge Chili Bowl information:

What:  22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

Where:  Tulsa Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center (formerly known as Tulsa Exposition Center) at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds

 When: 
January 8-12, 2008
Tuesday – Pre-Qualifying Night
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Friday – O'Reilly Qualifying Night
Saturday – Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday Feature Events

Past Winners:  Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), 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 (Wednesday 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. 

Preferred Parking:  A limited number of Preferred Parking spaces are still available for all five nights of the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.

Tickets:  Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals were depleted by the beginning of June.  A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event are available for $21 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate.  Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.

Pay-Per-View:  Lucas Oil presents the Chili Bowl Nationals live on HBO Pay-Per-View for the first time on Saturday night, January 12.  The live broadcast on Saturday, January 12 begins at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT), with an immediate pay-per-view replay and additional replays on Sunday. The HBO Pay-Per-View racing telecast has a suggested retail price $24.95 and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes in the United States and Canada and millions more worldwide. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming in the pay-per-view industry.  Ordering information is available at http://www.hbo.com/.

Viewers are encouraged to contact their local cable operator or satellite provider to order the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. Customers must have digital cable or satellite service to order. A subscription to HBO is not required.

Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals On the Web:  All the action from Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday along with Saturday's action prior to the Pay-per-View telecast will be webcast live at http://www.racinboys.com/.  Complete information, including entry lists, updates and official results is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/.

Additional information regarding the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777.

Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Pre-Entries Unveiled – Current Count at 169
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla.  (December 6, 2007) – With the pre-entry deadline of December 15 still over a week away, the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals office has been flooded with entries in recent weeks as the 22nd edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals approaches.

Currently, a total of 169 entries from 21 different states as well as Australia have filed entries for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, which takes place atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway inside the newly named QuikTrip Center on January 8-12, 2008.

The complete list of entries for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/2008chilibowlentries.asp.  Driver entry is just $150 if filed by December 15.  After that time, entries are $200.

And while the list is filled with names familiar to long-time Chili Bowl fans, names such as Stewart, Yeley, Kahne, Swindell and Kruseman among others, there are also some new ones as top guns from all variety of motorsports prepare to descend upon the city of Tulsa in pursuit of the coveted Golden Driller trophy.

Among the new ones on the list, and perhaps unexpected, is NASCAR star Ryan Newman.

Making his way up through the ranks of open wheel racing just as Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and J.J. Yeley did en route to NASCAR, Newman is set to make his Chili Bowl debut aboard one of the three Corey Tucker-owned entries, teamed with DIRT Modified racer Jerry Higbie, Jr., and World of Outlaws shoe Randy Hannagan.

Newman, along with approximately 250 or so others, will try to do exactly what Tony Stewart did in January of 2007 – win the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.

Stewart enters the 2008 edition of the Chili Bowl as the defending champion after becoming just the fourth driver in event history to top the Chili Bowl on more than one occasion.  Tony's first Chili Bowl win came in 2002.

Other past winners already entered include the event's only four-time winner, Sammy Swindell, along with two-time Chili Bowl kingpin Cory Kruseman (2000 and 2004) and 2005 winner Tracy Hines.
 
The talent already entered for the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals represents a multitude of racing disciplines, including NASCAR, ARCA, NHRA, Late Models, DIRT Modifieds, winged and wingless Sprint Car racing and Midgets among others.

The 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals kicks off on Tuesday night, January 8, with the Pre-Qualifying event.  The top 15 finishers from Tuesday's Pre-Qualifier will advance to the Qualifying Night events, including Wednesday's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown, Thursday's Warren Cat Qualifying Event and Friday's O'Reilly Qualifying Night.  Saturday's Bass Pro Shops Championship feature slate of events will culminate with the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals 50-lap championship feature event.

The top four finishers from the Qualifying Night features will automatically lock into the Saturday night, January 12, Dodge Chili Bowl championship feature, with the balance of Saturday's Bass Pro Shops championship feature events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes.

Originally a two-day event that attracted 52 entries in 1987, the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals has evolved into a five-night extravaganza of indoor, dirt track midget racing, and ranks among the world’s most prestigious auto racing events with the 2007 edition of the event attracting a record number of 267 competitors.

A limited number of reserved seats remain for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event, with only pit passes available on Wednesday through Saturday as the supply of four-night tickets was depleted by the beginning of June.

Tickets for the Tuesday night, January 8, Pre-Qualifier may be purchased in advance for just $21 by calling the Chili Bowl ticket office at 918-838-3777.

Additional information regarding the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/.

Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Pre-Entry Stats:

Most Chili Bowls Competed In (Among Pre-Entered Drivers):  Donnie Lehmann 18, Sammy Swindell 17, Danny Lasoski 16, Critter Malone 15, Kevin Olson 15, Bill Allen 13, Tracy Hines 11, Jason Leffler 11, Tony Stewart 11, J.J. Yeley 11, P.J. Jones 10, Cory Kruseman 10, Nick O'Neal 10, Johnny Murdock 10.

Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts (Among Pre-Entered Drivers):  Sammy Swindell 15, Danny Lasoski 14, Kevin Olson 10, Jason Leffler 9, Tony Stewart 9, Tracy Hines 9, Jerry Coons, Jr. 8, Cory Kruseman 8, P.J. Jones 6, J.J. Yeley 5, Matt Westfall 5, Kasey Kahne 4, Donnie Lehmann 4, Joe Boyles 3, Steve Buckwalter 3, Rick Hendrix 3, Davey Ray 3, Jon Stanbrough 3, Justin Allgaier 2, Chad DeSelle 2, Brad Kuhn 2, Critter Malone 2, Josh Wise 2, Bubba Altig 1, Ryan Durst 1, Danny Ebberts 1, A.J. Fike 1, Aaron Fiscus 1, Josh Ford 1, David Gough 1, Jonathan Hendrick 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Mat Neely 1, Johnny Rodriguez 1, Danny Stratton 1, Brandon Waelti 1, Tyler Walker 1, Paul White 1, Chris Windom 1    

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THE 22nd ANNUAL CHILI BOWL TO BE TELEVISED LIVE FOR FIRST TIME!

Stewart and Kahne to Compete Against Star Line-up at Toughest Dirt Track Race

Saturday, January 12 from Tulsa, Okla.

Live on HBO Pay-Per-View

TULSA, OKLAHOMA (December 6, 2007) – For the first time ever, race fans can watch the prestigious Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals featuring a who’s who of racing stars, including NASCAR’s Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne, who’ll battle aboard 800-hp midgets for one of the most coveted trophies in motorsport. Broadcasted live worldwide by HBO Pay-Per-View, the star-studded dirt track race takes place on Saturday, January 12, 2008 from Tulsa, Okla.

“Where are you going to go in the country where you have 250 of the best all in one place for four days running for one prize?” asks Stewart, the 2007 defending champion. “You win this race, you’ve got bragging rights for a year.”

Since its 1987 inception, the annual Chili Bowl has built a reputation as one of the premier and most unique motorsports events in America.  Champions from various racing circuits travel to Tulsa’s QuikTrip Center during auto racing’s winter break for the opportunity to compete on the indoor, quarter mile-banked dirt oval in front of a sold-out crowd lucky enough to secure tickets the summer before.

“Every year, the Chili Bowl is one of the hardest tickets to get in racing,” says Emmett Hahn, who organizes the event with Lanny Edwards. “This telecast puts you there live, but from the comfort of your living room.”

For its 22nd edition, the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals draws an all-star line-up featuring Stewart, the defending 2007 champion, and Kahne, both former open-wheel stars before NASCAR. Competition includes top stars from all disciplines, including four-time winner Sammy Swindell, World of Outlaws star Joey Saldana, NHRA drag racing stars Cruz Pedregon and Gary Scelzi, plus NASCAR drivers and former USAC stars JJ Yeley and Jason Leffler. Numerous sprint and midget champions from around the country make it the toughest dirt track race of the year.

“The level of competition is what really makes this race so appealing to Lucas Oil and race enthusiasts,” says Bob Patison, vice president and legal counsel of Lucas Oil. “The drivers approach the event with an all or nothing attitude.”

The prize is the coveted Golden Driller trophy won by the top finisher in a 50-lap championship feature on the final night (Saturday, Jan. 12) after four nights of qualifying.

Motorsports Media Entertainment is promoting the broadcast in conjunction with HBO Pay-Per-View and title sponsor Lucas Oil. NeWave TV Productions of Tinley Park, Ill. is handling the event TV production. General Tire and Dodge are presenting sponsors.

“HBO Pay-Per-View is thrilled to bring its second prestigious dirt track racing pay-per-view event to a worldwide television audience,” says Tammy Ross, vice president and general manager of HBO Pay-Per-View. “Our goal is to capture the excitement and competitiveness of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals for fans who cannot be in Tulsa.”

The live broadcast on Saturday, January 12 begins at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT), with an immediate pay-per-view replay and additional replays on Sunday. The HBO Pay-Per-View racing telecast has a suggested retail price $24.95 and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes in the United States and Canada and millions more worldwide. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming in the pay-per-view industry.  Ordering information is available at http://www.hbo.com/.

Viewers are encouraged to contact their local cable operator or satellite provider to order the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. Customers must have digital cable or satellite service to order. A subscription to HBO is not required.

The Chili Bowl represents one of several special auto racing events that Motorsports Media Entertainment and HBO Pay-Per-View plan to offer as a premium live broadcast to auto racing fans.

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Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Lap Sponsorships Available

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla.  (November 19, 2007) – The world's premier dirt track racing event is just around the corner, with the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals set to unfold inside the Tulsa Expo Center on January 8-12, 2008.

And companies or individuals interested in sponsoring one or more laps in the Saturday night, January 12, 50-lap Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals feature event atop the ¼-mile clay oval still have the opportunity to do so at just $100 per lap. 

Half of the lap money, $50, goes to the leader of each lap, with $30 going to the second-running driver on that lap and the remaining $20 going to the driver in third.  Lap sponsors will be listed, with a link to their website, on the event's official website (www.chilibowl.com) and will also be displayed on the big screen monitors throughout the Tulsa Expo Center during the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals.

Those interested in sponsoring a lap at the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals may do so by contacting the Chili Bowl office at 918-838-3777.

NASCAR sensation Tony Stewart enters the 2008 edition of the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals as the reigning champion after besting a record field of 267 competitors to snare his second Golden Driller trophy on January 13, 2007.  Stewart, perhaps better known as "Smoke Johnson" in Chili Bowl lore, scored his first Chili Bowl win in 2002.

With the victory, Stewart became just the fourth multi-time winner in the illustrious history of the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.  Other multiple winners include four-time Chili Bowl king Sammy Swindell (1989, 1992, 1996 and 1998), Dan Boorse (1999 and 2003) and Cory Kruseman (2000 and 2004).

Other past winners of the prestigious, indoor Midget racing event include Late Model ace Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988) and Rich Vogler (1987).

Another stellar field of entries from throughout the nation and beyond, including top contenders from NASCAR, NHRA, Sprint Cars, Midgets, Late Models, Modifieds and more, will converge upon Tulsa, OK, in January to battle through five full nights of action.

The Tuesday night, January 8, Pre-Qualifying event will be followed by three full qualifying nights of action, including Wednesday's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown, Thursday's Warren Cat Qualifying Event and Friday's O'Reilly Qualifying Night.  Saturday's Bass Pro Shops Championship feature slate of events will culminate with the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals 50-lap championship feature event.

A limited number of reserved seats remain for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event, with only pit passes available on Wednesday through Saturday.

Tickets for the Tuesday night, January 8, Pre-Qualifier may be purchased in advance for just $21 by calling the Chili Bowl ticket office at 918-838-3777.

Additional information regarding the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at www.chilibowl.com.

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Chili Bowl Tickets Gone Again

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (July 18, 2007) – What has become the norm over the past several years proved to be the case once again this year. When the ticket renewal deadline for the 22nd Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals hit on June 1, demand for four-night tickets once again exceeded the supply.

All four-night tickets were mailed by July 1 and distributed to the lucky ticket holders. 

The silver lining for some is that approximately 1,600 tickets for the Tuesday night Pre-Qualifying event remain and may be purchased in advance for $21 by calling the Chili Bowl ticket office at 918-838-3777. Pit passes for the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday portions of the Chili Bowl will be available as well.

The 22nd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals takes place at the Tulsa Expo Raceway on January 8-12, 2008, with reigning event champion Tony Stewart gunning for a third Golden Driller against a field that could easily rival the 2007 record of 267 competitors.

Additional information regarding the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at www.chilibowl.com or by calling the office at 918-838-3777.

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TULSA, Okla. (January 13, 2007) Two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart added another Golden Driller trophy to his collection as he raced to victory lane in Saturday night's 50-lap O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals championship feature event.

Stewart climbed from his fifth starting position aboard the Tony Stewart Motorsports Chevrolet/Bass Pro Shops No. 20 Spike-chassis into second by the fifth lap and then battled past early leader Shane Cottle on the ninth round.

Stewart slipped away from the rest of the field to secure his second Chili Bowl victory after winning his first in 2002. Chasing Stewart to the stripe was fellow NASCAR rep J.J. Yeley, who battled in side-by-side fashion with Cottle much of the way before finally putting the clamps on second in the latter portion of the race.

Young Justin Allgaier muscled past Cottle for third on the 43rd lap, with Cottle settling for fourth. Tulsa-area teenage shoe Donnie Ray Crawford was the race's top finishing rookie by rounding out the top five.

K Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding J Main)

K Main 1: 1. #7X Billy Mentgen, Arvada, Colo.; 2. #6X Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, Iowa; 3. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, Texas; 4. #35WA Steve Stone, Mesa, Ariz.; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, Ariz.; 6. #29L Leroy Holler, Independence, Mo.; 7. #10A Ryan Ameln, Hollister, Calif.; 8. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, Ill.; 9. #11B Doug DeWitt, Sunnyvale, Calif.; 10. #5K Kevin Burgess, Stotts City, Mo.; 11. #24R John Ricketts, Burleson, Texas DNS - #74X Eddie Sauer, Davis, Ill.; #24L Roy Larking, Tulsa, Okla.; #14H Harley Hollan, Broken Arrow, Okla.

K Main 2: 1. #7T Todd McVay, Lees Summit, Mo.; 2. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, Kan.; 3. #7A Dakoda Armstrong, Newcastle, Ind.; 4. #02 Bryon Walters, Beaver Dam, Wis.; 5. #98D Dave Scroggs, Arvada, Colo.; 6. #93 Brian Harvey, Hanford, Calif.; 7. #77 Matt DeWitt, Houston, Texas; 8. #33 Toni Kruck, Copalopa, Australia; 9. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, Calif.; 10. #12S Jacob Slotten, Menasha, Wis.; 11. #91$ Joe Duvall, Chelsea, Okla.; 12. #6M Tayler Malsam, Sammamish, Wash.; 13. #4K Kerry Sandusky, Chicago, Ill.

J Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding I Main)

J Main 1: 1. #7P Todd Plemons, Arvada, Colo.; 2. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, Okla.; 3. #17B Austin Brown, Millstadt, Ill.; 4. #6J Jonathan Cornell, Sedalia, Mo.; 5. #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, Iowa; 6. #5MA Mallory Armfield, St. Joseph, Mo.; 7. #7J Kyle Bellm, Nixa, Mo.; 8. #10P Will Pierce, Lees Summit, Mo.; 9. #66 Dalton Cole, Pryor, Okla.; 10. #7X Billy Mentgen, Arvada, Colo.; 11. #27D Todd Kimmel, Avon, Ind.; 12. #6X Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, Iowa; 13. #10S Matt Sargent, San Jose, Calif.; 14. #35WA Steve Stone, Mesa, Ariz.; 15. #72X Kellen Love, Lincoln, Neb.; 16. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, Texas

J Main 2: 1. #19B Cameron Beard, Atwater, Calif.; 2. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 3. #31C Chris Walker, Oak Grove, Mo.; 4. #36K Kaylene Verville, Avondale, Ariz.; 5. #37T Trish Dover, Springfield, Neb.; 6. #7A Dakoda Armstrong, Newcastle, Ind.; 7. #43 Buddy Luebke, Stoughton, Wis.; 8. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, Va.; 9. #7T Todd McVay, Lees Summit, Mo.; 10. #50X Tom Everhart, El Cajon, Calif.; 11. #9 Doug McCune, Fort Worth, Texas; 12. #54 Alex Harris, Simi Valley, Calif.; 13. #02 Bryon Walters, Beaver Dam, Wis.; 14. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, Kan. DNS - #21H Jonathan Henry, Stockton, Calif.; #12E Rafe Essary, Farmington, Ark.

I Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding H Main)

I Main 1: 1. #4 Michele Miller, Reading, Pa.; 2. #45X Jeff Perry, Buckeye, Ariz.; 3. #500 Geoff Dodge, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 4. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, Okla.; 5. #6J Jonathan Cornell, Sedalia, Mo.; 6. #7P Todd Plemons, Arvada, Colo.; 7. #11V Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, Kan.; 8. #17B Austin Brown, Millstadt, Ill.; 9. #11X Steve Newman, Lakewood, Colo.; 10. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, Ark.; 11. #73X Dex Eaton, Owasso, Okla.; 12. #0 Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, Texas; 13. #0K Ron Kuhn, Lees Summit, Mo.; 14. #55 Tony Everhart, El Cajon, Calif. DNS - #74 Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon, Calif.; #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, Calif.

I Main 2: 1. #3 Tracy Miller, Reading, Pa.; 2. #81 Shane Carson, Yukon, Okla.; 3. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 4. #19W Troy Rutherford, Ojai, Calif.; 5. #11R Larry Cole, Porter, Okla.; 6. #31C Chris Walker, Oak Grove, Mo.; 7. #19B Cameron Beard, Atwater, Calif.; 8. #27A Ralph Cortez, Sacramento, Calif.; 9. #36K Kaylene Verville, Avondale, Ariz.; 10. #9W Joe Wipperfurth, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 11. #45H Don Hammer, Clinton, Ill.; 12. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, Kan.; 13. #35X Korey Weyant, Springfield, Ill.; 14. #57K Randy Koch, Oregon, Wis.; 15. #8D Jay Ervine, Litchfield, Ariz.; DNS - #24H Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, Ind.

H Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding G Main)

H Main 1: 1. #52 Charles Davis Jr., Buckeye, Ariz.; 2. #1M Mike Miller, Reading, Pa.; 3. #4P Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, Ohio; 4. #31L Lee Grosz, Harwood, N.D.; 5. #79C Chris Sheil, Lakewood, Colo.; 6. #96X Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, Texas; 7. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, Okla.; 8. #500 Geoff Dodge, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 9. #16 tom Bigelow, Winchester, Ind.; 10. #10N Nick O’Neal, Wagoner, Okla.; 11. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 12. #50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, Calif.; 13. #17K Kevin Morris, Ripon, Calif.; 14. #4 Michele Miller, Read