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Driver interviews: Chili Bowl Champion Kevin Swindell Listen
Taylor Ferns ; Harli White ; Jake Swanson
Time adjusted for Chili Bowl Broadcast
Bryan Hulbert - Tulsa, Okla (April 4, 2012) - According to a memo received from Lucas Oil Productions there has been a change in the time regarding the showing of the 26th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire.
According to a schedule released by Lucas Oil Productions the broadcast will still be aired on April 14, 2012 but has been adjusted to 2pm EST. The broadcast will be carried by CBS and it’s nearly 200 affiliates across the United States.
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Kevin Swindell Makes it a Chili Bowl Three-Peat
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 14, 2012) – It took a quarter of a century to crown the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl Nationals history.
After crowning that champion last January, it only took one more year for a three-peat champion as 22-year-old Kevin Swindell of Germantown, TN, captured his third Golden Driller in a row by wiring the field in Saturday night’s 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals championship finale at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.
And, for the second year in a row, it was Kevin taking Roger Slack’s checkered flag ahead of his father and five-time Chili Bowl king Sammy Swindell, though this time the younger Swindell needed no last corner heroics to take the top step on the podium in the feature event that was extended from 50 to 55 laps in tribute to popular Broken Arrow, OK, native and Chili Bowl competitor Donnie Ray Crawford, who lost his life in a tragic Saturday morning incident that cast a pall over the capacity crowd that numbered in excess of 17,000.
While Kevin officially led all 55 laps, Sammy kept the pressure on most of the way and challenged on several occasions in the event that was interrupted by caution just once after the initial start was negated. Ultimately, a near run-in with a lapped car for Sammy on the 52nd circuit gave Kevin the breathing room he needed to take the checkered flag with a 1.458-second advantage aboard the Esslinger-powered John Christner Trucking/NOS Energy Drinks No. 39 Spike.
“I was just trying to survive traffic,” Kevin Swindell explained afterward. “I figured if I could keep trying to pick them off and not make a big mistake, I should be alright.”
After the initial start was waved off when Levi Jones took a tumble in turn three, it was Kevin Swindell leading the feature field to the green flag with Elk Grove, California’s Kyle Larson alongside. K. Swindell jumped into the lead on the subsequent start with third-starter Sammy Swindell racing into second on the opening circuit behind his son. The Swindell duo worked the low side in the early rounds with Larson trying the high side in the early going and losing third to Cory Kruseman.
Just as the Swindell duo hit lapped traffic, Bud Kaeding spun to a stop in turn three with 14 laps in the books to bring out the final caution and setting up a 41-lap run to the checkered flag.
The Swindells took off again on the low side, with Larson reclaiming third by the 16th round as he tried to keep the lead pair within striking distance.
Vying for a sixth Chili Bowl triumph, Sammy Swindell began pressuring Kevin Swindell for the lead at the midway point by testing the upper portion of the track in turns one and two. But Kevin was up to the task, fending off the veteran shoe and then opening up an advantage as traffic came into play several laps later.
Sammy closed back in by the 40th lap though and even pulled alongside on the low side of turns one and two with Kevin up top on the 44th circuit. Kevin kept him at bay and then slipped away in the final handful of circuits when traffic played to his advantage.
With Kevin taking the victory, Sammy explained that, “I wasn’t there when he slipped and when I had a good run there wasn’t any place to go. The cars were so evenly matched, traffic was going to make the difference.”
Larson held down the show position from the 16th lap in the Keith Kunz Motorsports Speedway Toyota-powered No. 67 Bullet, keeping the leaders within sight but unable to mount a challenge. “Early in the race, I felt like I could have a shot because they were on the bottom in one and two and I felt like I was quicker up top,” the 19-year-old explained. “But as the race went on I just got tighter and tighter and couldn’t stay out of trouble on the cushion like I wanted to and they got too far ahead and got too many lappers between me and Sammy.”
While Bryan Clauson worked forward from his 11th starting position to fourth by the 20th round, it was Danny Stratton making a late move to snare fourth in Steve and Dianna Hampton’s Esslinger-powered Hampton’s Kustom Works No. 77s Twister.
Clauson rounded out the top five in the Esslinger-powered Indy Car/Indy 500 No. 39c Spike, with Brad Sweet and Kruseman in sixth and seventh, respectively.
Jerry Coons, Jr., turned in the feature’s top passing performance by charging from 23rd to eighth, with NASCAR Nationwide champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart completing the top ten.
Richard Vander Weerd was the only Chili Bowl rookie to make the championship feature cut, crossing the stripe in 19th. Two other drivers made first career Chili Bowl finales including Indiana’s Caleb Armstrong in 18th and California’s Rico Abreu in 21st.
With 259 competitors from 32 different states as well as Australia, Canada, Finland and New Zealand taking in the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, a total of 20 feature events were contested on championship Saturday including the “A” Main event.
Vander Weerd and Abreu topped “B” Main action to reach the finale after Jon Stanbrough and Hunter Schuerenberg won the “C” Mains.
New Zealand’s Brad Mosen and Chili Bowl rookie contender David Gravel of Connecticut won “D” Mains, with Johnny Herrera and Chris Windom topping “E” Mains.
Davey Heskin and Cameron won “F” Mains, Chris Morgan and Michelle Decker were victorious in “G” Mains and Matt Westfall and A.J. Hopkins scored in “H” Mains. Evan Sewell and Ryan Beechler claimed “I” Main wins, Matt Johnson and Mike Spencer were best in “J” Main action and Mike Goodman opened the day with a “K” Main triumph.
Saturday's A Main (55 laps)
1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN
2. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN
3. #67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA
4. #77s Danny Stratton, Riverside, CA
5. #39c Bryan Clauson, Noblesville IN
6. #49x Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA
7. #21k Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA
8. #3nz Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, AZ
9. #39i Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Olive Branch, MS
10. #14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN
11. #24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN
12. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA
13. #5d Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL
14. #17b Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN
15. #05p Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ
16 #71xx Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN
17. #2h Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ
18. #7ca Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN
19. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA
20. #19s Richard Vander Weerd, Visalia, CA
21. #67k Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA
22. #63 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL
23. #3aj A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL
24. #56 Levi Jones, Olney, IL.
K Main (10 Laps -- Positions 1, 3, 5 to back of 1st J Main; Pos. 2, 4, 6 to back of 2nd J Main)
K Main: 1. #77G Mike Goodman, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #11XS Tony Norem, Dassel, MN; 3. #7RS Cilnt Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 4. #91 Jeff Stasa, Kingman, KS; 5. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; 6. #3H Bubba Hunt, Tulsa, Ok; 7. #2D Doug Day, Winder, GA; 8. #69 Randy Boyer, Belleville, KS; 9. #82 Eric Johnson, Rockford, IL; 10. #71P Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; #11 2A Donald McIntosh, Dawsonville, GA; 12. #83X Bob Lawlor, San Carlos, CA; DNS -- #21AZ Mike Visser, Cottonwood, AZ; #87F Brian McClelland, Tulsa, OK; #11XC Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO; #50 Ned Fry, West Burlington, IA; #6Y Vinny Villeggiante, Gresham, OR
J Mains (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding I Main)
J Main 1: 1. #85J Matt Johnson, Edmond, OK; 2. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 3. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 4. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; 5. #77G Mike Goodman, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #93R Jake Rosario, Guthrie, OK; 7. #71D Paige Polyak, Tiffin, OH; 8. #29 Brandon Hahn, Tulsa, OK; 9. #55 Kyle Smith, Moorpark, CA; 10. #44X Danny Smith, Argenta, IL; 11. #8 Mike Lapp, Goodyear, AZ; 12. #27 Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, CA; 13. #4X Shawn Peterson, Irving, TX; DNS - #12H Jarrod Hull, Sikeston, MO; #21JR Kevin Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; #7RS Clint Boyles, Greenwood, MO
J Main 2: 1. #51S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 2. #87R Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 3. #57K Steve Schaberg, Glenwood, AR; 4. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Laveen, AZ; 6. #88W Dustin Weland, Parker, CO; 7. #77D Dalten Gabbard, Peoria, AZ; 8. #11XS Tony Norem, Dassel, MN; 9. #67X Britton Bock, Angwin, CA; 10. #3H Bubba Hunt, Tulsa, OK; 11. #21X Nick Speidel, Muncie, IN; 12. #W94 Waylon Weaver, Claremore, OK; 13. #35W Rick Wright, Ponca City, OK; 14. #91 Jeff Stasa, Kingman, KS; 15. #83H Jonathon Halford, Tulsa, OK; 16. #91H Mike Hudson, Carterville, IL
I Mains (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding H Main)
I Main 1: 1. #31E Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK: 2. #17 Michael Koontz, Bloomington, IN; 3. #85J Matt Johnson, Edmond, OK; 4. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 5. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; 6. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 7. #23 Tim Lynch, Columbus, IN; 8. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 9. #71X Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 10. #11X Dustin Hapka, Grand Forks, ND; 11. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 12. #2AZ Rick Shuman, Gilbert, AZ; 13. #20X Jimmy Harris, Broken Arrow, OK; 14. #22S Steve Stasa, Kingman, KS; 15. *#7C Pat Schudy, Springfield, MO; DNS - #15K Connor Kassik, Lake Havasu, AZ
*7C scored in 15th because of muffler falling off
I Main 2: 1. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX; 2. #86 Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 3. #41 Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 4. #73F Greg Edenholm, Malibu, CA; 5. #19D Steven Drevicki, Reading, PA; 6. #9H Matt Hummel, San Jose, CA; 7. #9B Harris Brooks, Houston, TX; 8. #87R Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 9. #51S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 10. #7T Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 11. #17M Andee Beierle, Bismarck, ND; 12. #12J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 13. #0X Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; 14. #57K Steve Schaberg, Glenwood, AR; 15. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; DNS - #94AU Brad Cox, Gunnedah, Aus
H Main (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding G Main)
H Main 1: 1. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 2. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, CA; 3. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 4. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 5. #82W Robbie Whitchurch, Chico, CA; 6. #21V Jimmy Voitel, Covina, CA; 7. #17 Michael Koontz, Bloomington, IN; 8. #85J Matt Johnson, Edmond, OK; 9. #22K Kyle Bellm, Nixa, MO; 10. #31E Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 11. #17W Cole Wood, Auburn, CA; 12. #9D Sean Dodenhoff, Bakersfield, CA; 13. #20 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE; 14. #13 Ryan York, Racine, MN; DNS -- #29S Tim Kent, Sapulpa, OK; #51B Ryan Blakeman, Jacksonville, IL
H Main 2: 1. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO; 3. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 4. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX; 5. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 6. #41 Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 7. #86 Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 8. #45X C.J. Johnson, Quinter, KS; 9. #73F Greg Edenholm, Malibu, CA; 10. #12 Chris Gurley, Hebron, IN; 11. #19N Nick O'Neal, Wagoner, OK; 12. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO; 13. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 14. #44S Clint Schubert, Calhan, CO; DNS - #8J Blake Hahn, Sapulpa, OK; #77X Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL
G Main (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding F Main)
G Main 1: 1. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 2. #94 Darren Kingston, Vandalia, IL; 3. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 4. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 5. #8R Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX; 6. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 7. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 8. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 9. #7W Harli White, Lindsay, OK; 10. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, CA; 11. #23F Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, IA; 12. #49 Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 13. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ; 14. #77B Mike Boesel, Bennett, CO; 15. #25 Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; DNS - #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK
G Main 2: 1. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 2. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 3. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 4. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 5. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX; 7. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 8. #0G Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 9. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, Ontario; 10. #12S Bryan Severs, Collison, IL; 11. #27C Kip Hughes, Enid, Ok; 12. #9M Cory Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 13. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO; 14. #8B Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 15. #89JR Ron Kuhn, Independence, MO; DNS - #8K Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK
F Main (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding E Main)
F Main 1: 1. #17X Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN; 2. #93 Dustin Morgan, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #71KT Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL; 4. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #32 Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 6. #33 Davey Ray, Indianapolis, IN; 7. #7J Shawn Jackson, Bear, DE; 8. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 9. #40 Andy Huston, Roseville, IL; 10. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 11. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 12. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 13. #94 Darren Kingston, Vandalia, IL; 14. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; 15. #11B Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; DNS - #75 Wes McIntyre, McCordsville, IN
F Main 2: 1. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #2B Tyler Reddick, Corning, CA; 3. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 4. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 5. #51X Matt Lundy, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 7. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 8. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 9. #14R Troy DeCaire, Tampa, FL; 10. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 11. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 12. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 13. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 14. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 15. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; DNS -- #33X Jason Lair, Del City, OK
E Main (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding D Main)
E Main 1: 1. #75H Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM; 2. #87C Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 3. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 4. #55F Taylor Ferns, Shelby Township, MI; 5. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 6. #93 Dustin Morgan, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #7X Layne Himebaugh, Collinsville, OK; 8. #4J Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 9. #17X Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN; 10. #89 Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 11. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN; 12. #71KT Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL; 13. #39B Jake Blackhurst, Mapleton, IL; 14. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 15. #22X Keith Martin, Alvarado, TX; 16. #6 Aaron Pierce, Daleville, IL
E Main 2: 1. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 2. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #73S Alex Sewell, Broken Arrow, OK; 4. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL: 5. #2B Tyler Reddick, Coming, CA; 6. #3F Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 7. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 8. #7 Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 9. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 10. #88 Brendan Bright, Collegeville, PA; 11. #24E Rick Eckert, York, PA; 12. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 13. #9U Doug McCune, Colleyville, TX; 14. #21M Billy Lawhead, El Reno, OK; 15. #91X Kyle Steffens, St. Charles, MO; 16. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA
D Main (15 Laps -- Top 6 transfer to back of corresponding C Main)
D Main 1: 1. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 2. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 3. #88H Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 4. #11BX Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 5. #21b Christopher Bell, Norman, OK; 6. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 7. #17R Mario Clouser, Auburn, IL; 8. #75H Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM; 9. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 10. #91B Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 11. #4B Ronnie Burke Jr., League City, TX; 12. #87C Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL: 13. #57B Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI; 14. #1W Paul White, Waco, TX; 15. #55F Taylor Ferns, Shelby Township, MI; 16. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 17. #31 Steve Budres, Beloit, WI; 18. #98 JC Bland, Springfield, IL
D Main 2: 1. #71K David Gravel, Watertown, CT; 2. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 3. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 5. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 6. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 7. #19X Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 8. #2T Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 9. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 10. #15P David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 11. #14C Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL; 12. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 13. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX; 14. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 15. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 16. #86E Chris Ennis, San Diego, CA; 17. #73S Alex Sewell, Broken Arrow, OK; 18. #23C Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN
C Mains (15 Laps -- Top 6 to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN: 2. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 3. #12B Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #4G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 7. #35 Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 8. #11BX Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 9. #19 Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS; 10. #1J JJ Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 12. #21B Christopher Bell, Norman, OK; 13. #6A David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 14. #8V Jace VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 15. #88H Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 16. #25B Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 17. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 18. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 19. #05R Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 20. #67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN
C Main 2: 1. #35S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 2. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #05T Gary Taylor Snohomish, WA; 4. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 5. #91K Dereck King, Goreville, IL; 6. #5H Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 7. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 8. #71 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 9. #27S Andy Shouse, Oklahoma City, OK: 10. #05G Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 11. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 12. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 13. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 14. #11C Chet Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 15. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 16. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 17. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 18. #16 Jimmy Light, Erie, PA; 19. #81 Markus Niemela, Rauma, Finland; 20. #71K David Gravel, Watertown, CT
B Mains (20 Laps -- Top 6 in each advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #19S Richard VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 2. #7CA Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #24 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 4. #63 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 5. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 6. #3NZ Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 7. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 8. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 9. #8L Matt Ward, Glenpool, OK; 10. #12B Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #77 Alex Bright, Collegeville, PA; 12. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 13. #11T Tyler Edwards, Salina, OK; 14. #36 Jonathon Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 15. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 16. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 17. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 18. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL; 19. #4G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 20. #37 Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL
B Main 2: 1. #67K Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA; 2. #2H Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ; 3. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 4. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 5. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 6. #3AJ A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 7. #0 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA; 8. #05T Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 9. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 10. #35S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 11. #37B Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 12. #5H Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 13. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 14. #11 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 15. #47X Shaun Insley, Royal Oak, NZ; 16. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 17. #71S Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA; 18. #91K Dereck King, Goreville, IL; 19. #71B Jack Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 20. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK
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Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Saturday Feature Lineups
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 14, 2012) – Prior to last year, no driver had ever been able to pull off back-to-back Chili Bowl triumphs at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Now, after becoming the first driver in event history to post two wins in a row last January, Kevin Swindell is in prime position for a three-peat as will start Saturday night’s 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals 50-lap finale from the pole position.
Swindell, who won Thursday night’s Suburban Chevrolet qualifying main event, drew the pole position after Friday night’s card with Tuesday’s Warren CAT winner Kyle Larson drawing the front row outside position for the Saturday night finale.
Five-time Chili Bowl champion Sammy Swindell will start third after winning Wednesday’s River Spirit Casino qualifier, with Cory Kruseman drawing the fourth starting position after winning Friday’s Vacuworx International qualifying main event.
A total of 259 competitors from 32 different states as well as Australia, Canada, Finland and New Zealand have battled it out atop the ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center over the past four nights to set the lineups for Saturday’s slate of 20 feature events, beginning with a “K” Main at 12:00 noon and climbing through the alphabet with twin “J” Mains, twin “I” Mains, etc., until culminating with Saturday night’s 50-lap championship finale.
A dozen drivers, including each qualifying night winner along with second and third place finishers, have already earned starting berths in the 26th Chili Bowl finale, with another dozen spots to be determined through the day’s racing action.
Each night’s second-place finishers drew to determine rows three and four of the feature, with Danny Stratton and Shane Cottle in row three and Levi Jones and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., in row four.
Third place finishers drew as well, with Brad Sweet and two-time Chili Bowl champ and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart in row five with Bryan Clauson and Kiwi Michael Pickens in row six.
Saturday’s Championship Saturday feature lineups at the 26th Anniversary Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals are as follows:
A Main (50 Laps):
39 Kevin Swindell (Germantown, TN) – 67 Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA)
1 Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN) – 21k Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA)
77s Danny Stratton (Riverside, CA) – 71xx Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN)
56 Levi Jones (Olney, IL) – 39i Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Olive Branch, MS)
49x Brad Sweet (Grass Valley, CA) – 14 Tony Stewart (Columbus, IN)
39c Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN) – 05p Michael Pickens (Auckland, NZ)
B Main 1 Transfer 1 – B Main 2 Transfer 1
B Main 1 Transfer 2 – B Main 2 Transfer 2
B Main 1 Transfer 3 – B Main 2 Transfer 3
B Main 1 Transfer 4 – B Main 2 Transfer 4
B Main 1 Transfer 5 – B Main 2 Transfer 5
B Main 1 Transfer 6 – B Main 2 Transfer 6
B Mains (20 Laps – Top 6 Transfer to A Main)
B Main 1:
19s Richard Vander Weerd (Visalia, CA) – 11T Tyler Edwards (Salina, OK)
7m Kevin Ramey (Ft. Worth, TX) – 37 Bubba Altig (Mechanicsburg, IL)
24 Tracy Hines (Wilkinson, IN) – 7ca Caleb Armstrong (New Castle, IN)
8L Matt Ward (Glenpool, OK) – 63 Nick Knepper (Belleville, IL)
15 Tim Siner (Dupo, IL) – 77 Alex Bright (Collegeville, PA)
3nz Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ) – 2 Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA)
22 Brian Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) – 73 Josh Ford (Oxnard, CA)
C Main 1 Transfer 1 – C Main 1 Transfer 2
C Main 1 Transfer 3 – C Main 1 Transfer 4
C Main 1 Transfer 5 – C Main 1 Transfer 6
B Main 2:
11 Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) – 71b Jac Haudenschild (Wooster, OH)
37b Brady Short (Bedford, IN) – 5d Zach Daum (Pocahontas, IL)
2h Casey Shuman (Rattlesnake Bend, AZ) – 21 Daryn Pittman (Owasso, OK)
67k Rico Abreu (Rutherford, CA) – 47x Shaun Insley (Royal Oak, NZ)
11a Andrew Felker (Carl Junction, MO) – 0 Ryan Smith Kunkletown, PA)
3aj A.J. Fike (Galesburg, IL) – 17b Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN)
3 Darren Hagen (Riverside, CA) – 71s Ronnie Gardner (Corona, CA)
C Main 2 Transfer 1 – C Main 2 Transfer 2
C Main 2 Transfer 3 – C Main 2 Transfer 4
C Main 2 Transfer 5 – C Main 2 Transfer 6
C Mains (15 Laps – Top 6 Transfer to Corresponding B Main)
C Main 1:
12b Chad Boat (Phoenix, AZ) – 05s Jon Stanbrough (Avon, IN)
36 Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK) – 5 Dave Darland (Lincoln, IN)
6a David Gough (Machesney Park, IL) – 78 Nick Wean (Phillipsburg, NJ)
35 Justin Grant (Ione, CA) – 4 Bobby East (Brownsburg, IN)
19 Patrick Stasa (Kingman, KS) – 4g Coleman Gulick (Binghamton, NY)
05r Ryan Pace (Brownsburg, IN) – 67z Joey Saldana (Brownsburg, IN)
25b Steve Buckwalter (Royersford, PA) – 8v Jace Vander Weerd (Visalia, CA)
D Main 1 Transfer 1 – D Main 1 Transfer 2
D Main 1 Transfer 3 – D Main 1 Transfer 4
D Main 1 Transfer 5 – D Main 1 Transfer 6
C Main 2:
51J R.J. Johnson (Phoenix, AZ) – 35s Hunter Schuerenberg (Sikeston, MO)
35m Matt Sherrell (Owasso, OK) – 05T Gary Taylor (Snohomish, WA)
27s Andy Shouse (Oklahoma City, OK) – 9 Levi Roberts (Broomfield, CO)
44 Don Droud, Jr. (Lincoln, NE) – 91k Dereck King (Goreville, IL)
11c Chett Gehrke (Broken Arrow, OK) – 5h Mike Hess (Springfield, IL)
05g Damion Gardner (Concord, CA) – 71 Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA)
16 Jimmy Light (Erie, PA) – 81 Markus Niemela (Rauma, Finland)
D Main 2 Transfer 1 – D Main 2 Transfer 2
D Main 2 Transfer 3 – D Main 2 Transfer 4
D Main 2 Transfer 5 – D Main 2 Transfer 6
D Mains (15 Laps – Top 6 Transfer to Corresponding C Main)
D Main 1:
98k P.J. Jones (Torrance, CA) – 11bx Brett Anderson (Belleville, IL)
88h Johnathon Henry (Stockton, CA) – 47 Brad Mosen (Auckland, NZ)
17r Mario Clouser (Auburn, IL) – 21b Christopher Bell (Norman, OK)
31 David Budres (Beloit, WI) – 57b Bill Balog (Brookfield, WI)
1J J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ) – 14jr Matt Streeter (Galt, CA)
4b Ronnie Burke, Jr. (League City, TX) – 91b Kevin Bayer (Bixby, OK)
98 J.C. Bland (Springfield, IL) – 1w George White (Waco, TX)
E Main 1 Transfer 1 – E Main 1 Transfer 2
E Main 1 Transfer 3 – E Main 1 Transfer 4
D Main 2:
6r Jody Rosenboom (Rock Rapids, IA) – 71k David Gravel (Watertown, CT)
26 Shane Golobic (Fremont, CA) – 15p David Prickett (Fresno, CA)
10w George White (Ft. Worth, TX) – 43 Brent Beauchamp (Indianapolis, IN)
72 Ryan Bernal (Hollister, CA) – 19x Billy Wease (Noblesville, IN)
23c Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, IN) – 85 Shane Hollingsworth (Lafayette, IN)
14c Shane Cockrum (Benton, IL) – 86e Chris Ennis (San Diego, CA)
2T Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, CA) – 05 Brad Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO)
E Main 2 Transfer 1 – E Main 2 Transfer 2
E Main 2 Transfer 3 – E Main 2 Transfer 4
E Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding D Main)
E Main 1:
75h Johnny Herrera (Albuquerque, NM) – 55F Taylor Ferns (Shelby Twp, MI)
89 Cody Darrah (Red Lion, PA) – 87c Daniel Robinson (Wayne City, IL)
39b Jake Blackhurst (Mapleton, IL) – 6 Aaron Pierce (Daleville, IN)
1T Tony Roney (Herculaneum, MO) – 11J Justin Melton (Flower Mound, TX)
4J Tim Crawley (Benton, AR) – 7x Layne Himebaugh (Collinsville, OK)
7a Austin Brown (Millstadt, IL) – 22x Keith Martin (Alvarado, TX)
F Main 1 Transfer 1 – F Main 1 Transfer 2
F Main 1 Transfer 3 – F Main 1 Transfer 4
E Main 2:
11w Chris Windom (Canton, IL) – 88 Brenden Bright (Collegeville, PA)
3F Tony Elliott (Warsaw, IN) – 7da Dalton Armstrong (New Castle, IN)
91x Kyle Steffens (St. Charles, MO) – 73s Alex Sewell (Broken Arrow, OK)
94x Kevin Olson (Machesney Park, IL) – 7 Shannon McQueen (Tehachapi, CA)
21m Billy Lawhead (Tulsa, OK) – 9u Doug McCune (Colleyville, TX)
51 Brent Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) – 24e Rick Eckert (York, PA)
F Main 2 Transfer 1 – F Main 2 Transfer 2
F Main 2 Transfer 3 – F Main 2 Transfer 4
F Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding E Main)
F Main 1:
93 Dustin Morgan (Broken Arrow, OK) – 17x Davey Heskin (St. Michael, MN)
71kt Kevin Thomas, Jr. (Cullman, AL) – 191 Chase Barber (Brownsburg, IN)
11b Travis Berryhill (American Canyon, CA) – 40 Andy Huston (Roseville, IL)
75 Wes McIntyre (McCordsville, IN) – 32 Danny Jennings (Norman, OK)
7J Shawn Jackson (Bear, DE) – 10 Will Pierce (Lees Summit, MO)
35T Tyler Robbins (Collinsville, IL) – 33 Davey Ray (Indianapolis, IN)
G Main 1 Transfer 1 – G Main 1 Transfer 2
G Main 1 Transfer 3 – G Main 1 Transfer 4
F Main 2:
51x Matt Lundy (Phoenix, AZ) – 33x Jason Lair (Del City, OK)
2b Tyler Reddick (Corning, CA) – 15b Danny Burke (Houston, TX)
00 Pete Davis (Pleasanton, CA) – 37x Cameron Hagin (Broken Arrow, OK)
15d Andrew Deal (Caney, KS) – 11h Garrett Hood (Concordia, KS)
1xs Donovan Peterson (Brookings, SD) – 18 Floyd Alvis (San Carlos, CA)
58 Cole Peard (Quincy, CA) – 14r Troy DeCaire (Tampa, FL)
G Main 2 Transfer 1 – G Main 2 Transfer 2
G Main 2 Transfer 3 – G Main 2 Transfer 4
G Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding F Main)
G Main 1:
6x Chris Morgan (Topeka, KS) – 94 Darren Kingston (Vandalia, IL)
86c David Camfield, Jr. (Decatur, IL) – 49 Trevor Kobylarz (Birdsboro, PA)
38n Kyle Neal (Ewing, IL) – 96 Cody Brewer (Choctaw, OK)
12jr Josh Pelkey (Peoria, AZ) – 8r Bobby Ruffin (Crandall, TX)
25 Dylan Peterson (Sioux Falls, SD) – 23F Jesse Sobbing (Glenwood, IA)
7w Harli White (Lindsay, OK) – 77b Mike Boesel (Bennett, CO)
H Main 1 Transfer 1 – H Main 1 Transfer 2
H Main 1 Transfer 3 – H Main 1 Transfer 4
G Main 2:
7d Michelle Decker (Guthrie, OK) – 8b Bob Ream, Jr. (Glendale, AZ)
8k Donnie Ray Crawford (Broken Arrow, OK) – 89jr Ron Kuhn (Independence, MO)
9m Cory Mallo (Cheyenne, WY) – 49jr Bobby Michnowicz (Lomita, CA)
37T Chris Urish (Elkhart, IL) – 0b Glenn Styres (Ohsweken, ONT)
27c Kip Hughes (Enid, OK) – 6m Justin Mallo (Cheyenne, WY)
12s Bryan Severs (Collison, IL) – 0g Greg Bragg (Visalia, CA)
H Main 2 Transfer 1 – H Main 2 Transfer 2
H Main 2 Transfer 3 – H Main 2 Transfer 4
H Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding G Main)
H Main 1:
29s Tim Kent (Sapulpa, OK) – 15n T.J. Smith (Fresno, CA)
82w Robbie Whitchurch (Chico, CA) – 51b Ryan Blakeman (Jacksonville, IL)
14w Matt Westfall (Ludlow Falls, OH) – 9d Sean Dodenhoff (Bakersfield, CA)
21v Jimmy Voitel (Covina, CA) – 17w Cole Wood (Auburn, Ca)
22k Kyle Bellm (Nixa, MO) – 13 Ryan York (Racine, MN)
2x Tyler Millwood (Kingston, GA) – 20 Tadd Holliman (Beaver Lake, NE)
I Main 1 Transfer 1 – I Main 1 Transfer 2
I Main 1 Transfer 3 – I Main 1 Transfer 4
H Main 2:
2r A.J. Hopkins (Brownsburg, IN) – 12 Chris Gurley (Hebron, IN)
98g Gavin Galbraith (Washington, MO) – 28 Alex Schutte (Rohnert Park, CA)
8J Blake Hahn (Sapulpa, OK) – 7b Joe Boyles (Greenwood, MO)
19n Nick O’Neal (Wagoner, OK) – 25m Derrick Myers (Stonington, IL)
44s Clint Schubert (Calhan, CO) – 45x C.J. Johnson (Quinter, KS)
7jr J.D. Black (Grain Valley, MO) – 77x Joey Moughan (Springfield, IL)
I Main 2 Transfer 1 – I Main 2 Transfer 2
I Main 2 Transfer 3 – I Main 2 Transfer 4
I Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding H Main)
I Main 1:
31e Evan Sewell (Tulsa, OK) – 20x Jimmy Harris (Broken Arrow, OK)
83 Kurt Blackaby (Bentonville, AR) – 17 Michael Koontz (Bloomington, IN)
15k Connor Kassik (Lake Havasu, AZ) – 71x Sheldon Haudenschild (Wooster, OH)
7c Pat Schudy (Springfield, MO) – 22s Steve Stasa (Kingman, KS)
2az Rick Shuman (Gilbert, AZ) – 23 Tim Lynch (Columbus, IN)
59 Dex Eaton (Owasso, OK) – 11x Dustin Hapka (Grand Forks, ND)
J Main 1 Transfer 1 – J Main 1 Transfer 2
J Main 1 Transfer 3 – J Main 1 Transfer 4
I Main 2:
81b Ryan Beechler (McKinney, TX) – 9b Harris Brooks (Houston, TX)
41 Brandon Waelti (Sun Prairie, WI) – 86 Josh Most (Red Oak, IA)
12J Joe Walker (Harrisonville, MO) – 73F Greg Edenholm (Malibu, CA)
9h Matt Hummel (San Jose, CA) – 0x Johnny Murdock (Kaufman, TX)
94au Brad Cox (Gunnedah, AUS) – 17m Andee Beierle (Bismarck , ND)
7T Todd McVay (Lees Summit, MO) – 19d Steven Drevicki (Reading, PA)
J Main 2 Transfer 1 – J Main 2 Transfer 2
J Main 2 Transfer 3 – J Main 2 Transfer 4
J Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding I Main)
J Main 1:
85J Matt Johnson (Edmond, OK) – 33a Stephen Arnold (Seymour, IN)
4x Shawn Peterson (Irving, TX) – 29 Brandon Hahn (Tulsa, OK)
17k Tanner Berryhill (Bixby, OK) – 93r Jake Rosario (Guthrie, OK)
44x Danny Smith (Argenta, IL) – 12h Jerrod Hull (Sikeston, MO)
71d Paige Polyak (Tiffin, OH) – 55 Kyle Smith (Moorpark, CA)
8 Mike Lapp (Goodyear, AZ) – 27 Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, CA)
21jr Kevin Michnowicz (Lomita, CA) - K Main Transfer 1
K Main Transfer 3 – K Main Transfer 5
J Main 2:
91h Mike Hudson (Carterville, IL) – 67x Britton Bock (Angwin, CA)
57k Steve Schaberg (Glenwood, AR) – 87r Rich Camfield (Decatur, IL)
83h Jonathan Halford (Tulsa, OK) – 77d Dalten Gabbard (Peoria, AZ)
51s Mike Spencer (Temecula, CA) – 2g Terry Goodwin (Laveen, AZ)
W94 Waylon Weaver (Claremore, OK) – 88w Dustin Weland (Parker, CO)
88d Rusty Dukes (Fair Grove, MO) – 21x Nick Speidel (Muncie, IN)
35w Rick Wright, Jr. (Ponca City, OK) – K Main Transfer 2
K Main Transfer 4 – K Main Transfer 6
K Main (10 Laps – Finishers 1,3 and 5 Transfer to J Main 1; Finishers 2,4 and 6 Transfer to J Main 2)
K Main:
77g Mike Goodman (Tulsa, OK) – 11xs Tony Norem (Dassel, MN)
82 Eric Johnson (Rockford, IL) – 7rs Clint Boyles (Greenwood, MO)
69 Randy Boyer (Belleville, KS) – 91 Jeff Stasa (Kingman, KS)
05h Jake Swanson (Anaheim, CA) – 21az Mike Visser (Cottonwood, AZ)
2d Doug Day (Winder, GA) – 71p Tim Pyle (Gresham, OR)
87F Brian McClelland (Tulsa, OK) – 11cx Steve Newman (Steamboat Springs, CO)
3h Bubba Hunt (Tulsa, OK) – 50 Ned Fry (W. Burlington, IA)
83x Bob Lawlor (San Carlos, CA) – 6y Vinny Villeggiante (Gresham, OR)
2a Donald McIntosh (Dawsonville, GA)
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Kruseman Conquers Friday’s Chili Bowl Field
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 13, 2012) – Two-time Chili Bowl champion Cory Kruseman made his way back to the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway victory lane by topping Friday night’s 25-lap Vacuworx International qualifying feature at the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.
Kruseman battled past Indy 500-bound Bryan Clauson for the lead on the high side en route to a Chili Bowl record seventh career preliminary feature win aboard his Esslinger-powered MavTV/Lucas Oil No. 21k Esslinger, with runner-up Levi Jones and third-place Clauson also locking into Saturday night’s 50-lap Chili Bowl championship finale.
With Kruseman, who has claimed Golden Driller trophies in 2000 and 2004, gridding the feature field inside the second row, Clauson led the way to the green flag with Jac Haudenschild alongside. Clauson gunned into the lead at the drop of Roger Slack’s green flag, with Kruseman working into second in the initial rounds before the race’s only caution flew after six rounds for turn one chaos that sent Kevin Bayer and Brad Loyet pitside for the night.
With Clauson working the bottom of the track Esslinger-powered Indy Car/Indy 500 No. 39c Spike, Kruseman began challenging on the top side and finally surged into the lead exiting the fourth corner on the ninth circuit.
“We got the momentum going around the top and obviously momentum is always faster when the track is gonna get drier and drier,” Kruseman explained afterward.
Clauson wasn’t done yet though, keeping the pressure on and pulling alongside several times until a slight bobble in turns three and four on the 15th round opened the door for fifth-starter Levi Jones to race into second aboard the RW56 Esslinger-powered Three Wide Life No. 56 Esslinger.
Kruseman kept Jones and Clauson at bay over the final ten circuits despite lapped traffic in the final handful of rounds that forced him to the low side for a couple of rounds to maintain command.
Kruseman crossed the stripe with a 0.574-second advantage, locking into his 11th career Chili Bowl championship finale and third in a row after a three-year dry spell from 2007 to 2009.
Jones, who topped Septembers Gold Crown Midget Nationals, secured a starting berth in his third career Chili Bowl finale and first since 2009 by virtue of his runner-up finish while Clauson landed in his third finale as well by taking the show position after claiming fifth in last year’s 50-lapper.
Haudenschild brought Bernie Stuebgen’s Toyota-powered Indy Race Parts No. 71b Triple-X home fourth, with Gary “Bubba” Altig advancing a handful of positions to round out the top five in Esslinger-powered A.J. Felker Racing No. 37 FSC.
Daryn Pittman was sixth, with Nick Knepper, Ryan Smith, Bud Kaeding and 23rd starter Ronnie Gardner completing the top ten.
Finland’s Markus Niemela and Connecticut’s David Gravel were the only Chili Bowl rookie contenders to make Friday’s feature cut, finishing 17th and 18th, respectively.
Bayer, Davey Ray, Brent Beauchamp, Knepper, Derrick Myers, Haudenschild, Levi Roberts and Dave Darland topped heat race action for Friday night’s 60-car field, with Ryan Smith, Kaeding, Jones and Clauson winning the qualifying races.
After getting caught up in an opening lap tangle and flipping, Brad Loyet bounced back to win the first “C “Main and then climbed to third behind Joey Saldana and Brad Mosen in the first “B” Main to transfer to the feature event.
Bill Balog chased Rick Eckert to the line in the second “C” Main and then earned a transfer to the “A” as well behind Beauchamp, Bayer and Shane Hollingsworth in the second “B” Main.
Sixty Friday night competitors brought this year’s Chili Bowl Nationals competitor total to 259, three more than the total of 256 over each of the past two years.
Friday’s Vacuworx International Qualifier Results from the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals
A Main (25 laps – Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event) 1. #21k Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 2. #56 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 3. #39c Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 4. #71b Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 5. #37 Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 6. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 7. #63 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 8. #0 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA; 9. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 10. #71s Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA; 11. #35s Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 12. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 13. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 14. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 15. #5h Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 16. #67z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 17. #81 Markus Niemela, Rauma, FIN; 18. #71k David Gravel, Watertown, CT; 19. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 20. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 21. #57b Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI; 22. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 23. #91b Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 24. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO.
Heat Races (8 Laps each, Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #91B Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 2. #49 Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 3. #56 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 4. #67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #15B Danny Burke, Houston; 6. #89JR Ron Kuhn, Independence, MO; 7. #22S Steve Stasa, West Hills, CA; 8. #11X Dustin Hapka, Grand Forks, ND
Heat 2: 1. #33 Davey Ray, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 3. #37 Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 4. #20 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE; 5. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 6. #87C Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 7. #57B Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI; 8. #87R Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL
Heat 3: 1. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #71K David Gravel, Watertown, CT; 3. #81 Markus Niemela, Rauma, Finland; 4. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 5. #71S Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA; 6. #0X Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; 7. #17 Michael Koontz, Bloomington, IN; 8. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO
Heat 4: 1. #63 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 2. #35S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 3. #0 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA; 4. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 5. #17W Cole Wood, Auburn, CA; 6. #24E Rick Eckert, York, PA; 7. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; 8. #19D Steven Drevicki, Reading, PA
Heat 5: 1. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 2. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 3. #22X Keith Martin, Alvarado, TX; 4. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 5. #51B Ryan Blakeman, Jacksonville, IL; 6. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #86 Josh Most, Red Oak, IA
Heat 6: 1. #71B Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 2. #5H Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 3. #0G Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 4. #32 Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 5. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 6. #12H Jarrod Hull, Sikeston, MO; 7. #21AZ Mike Visser, Cottonwood, AZ
Heat 7: 1. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 2. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #77X Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 4. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 5. #14R Troy DeCaire, Tampa, FL; 6. #7 Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 7. #77B Mike Boesel, Bennett, CO
Heat 8: 1. Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 2. #39C Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 3. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 4. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, Ontario; 5. #8R Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX; 6. #29 Brandon Hahn, Tulsa, OK; DNS - #6Y Vinny Villeggiante, Gresham, OR
C Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #7 Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 4. #77B Mike Boesel, Bennett, CO; 5. #17 Michael Koontz, Bloomington, IN; 6. #0X Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; 7. #29 Brandon Hahn, Tulsa, OK; 8. #11X Dustin Hapka, Grand Forks, ND; 9. #12H Jerrod Hull, Sikeston, MO; DNS - #21AZ Mike Visser, Cottonwood, AZ.
C Main 2: 1. #24E Rick Eckert, York, PA; 2. #57B Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI; 3. #14R Troy DeCaire, Tampa, FL; 4. #89JR Ron Kuhn, Independence, MO; 5. #86 Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 6. #22S Steve Stasa, West Hills, CA; 7. #19D Steven Drevicki, Reading, PA; 8. #87R Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; DNS - #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; #6Y Vinny Villeggiante, Gresham, OR
A Qualifiers (10 Laps – Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #0 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA; 2. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 3. #71B Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 4. #33 Davey Ray, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #81 Markus Niemela, Rauma, Finland; 6. #49 Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 7. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 8. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 9. #22X Keith Martin, Alvarado, TX; 10. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS
A Qualifier 2: 1. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 2. #21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 3. #67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 4. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 6. #71K David Gravel, Watertown, CT; 7. #91B Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 8. #71S Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA; 9. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 10. #20 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE
A Qualifier 3: 1. #56 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 2. #5H Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 3. #35S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 4. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 5. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 6. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 8. #17W Cole Wood, Auburn, CA; 9. #0B Glenn Styres, Oshweken, ONT; 10. #8R Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX
A Qualifier 4: 1. #39C Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 2. #37 Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 3. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 4. #63 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 5. #0G Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 6. #51B Ryan Blakeman, Jacksonville, IL; 7. #87C Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 8. #32 Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 9. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 10. #77X Joey Moughan, Springfield, MO
B Mains (15 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 3. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 4. #71S Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA; 5. #87C Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 6. #7 Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 7. #22X Keith Martin, Alvarado, TX; 8. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN; 9. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 10. #33 Davey Ray, Indianapolis, IN; 11. #49 Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 12. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 13. #77B Mike Boesel, Bennett, CO; 14. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 15. #51B Ryan Blakeman, Jacksonville, IL; 16. #20 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE
B Main 2: 1. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #91B Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 3. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 4. #57B Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI; 5. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 6. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 7. #24E Rick Eckert, York, PA; 8. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 9. #32 Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 10. #14R Troy DeCaire, Tampa, FL; 11. #89JR Ron Kuhn, Independence, MO; 12. #8R Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX; 13. #0G Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 14. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 15. #17W Cole Wood, Auburn, CA; DNS -- #77X Joey Moughan, Springfield, MO
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Kevin Swindell Takes Thursday Chili Bowl Honors
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 12, 2012) – Last January, Kevin Swindell became the first back-to-back winner in a quarter century of Chili Bowl Nationals competition at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.
On Thursday night, the 22-year-old from Germantown, TN, put himself in a prime position for a three-peat by winning the 25-lap Suburban Chevrolet qualifying feature event atop the ¼-mile clay oval on the third night of action at the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.
Swindell battled past Brad Sweet on the sixth round and then weathered a pair of late cautions to take his second career Chili Bowl preliminary win aboard the Esslinger-powered John Christner Trucking/NOS Energy Drinks No. 39 Spike. Swindell took the checkered flag with a 1.705-second advantage over Indiana’s Shane Cottle and Sweet, who also locked into Saturday night’s 50-lap Chili Bowl championship finale.
With Swindell starting the feature outside the second row, Sweet led the field to the green flag with J.J. Yeley alongside. Sweet gunned into the lead at the start, with Swindell into second on the opening round ahead of third-starter Shane Golobic and Yeley.
With the leaders all working the low side, Swindell moved to the top of turns three and four and swept past Sweet for the lead upon the completion of the sixth round. Sweet kept Swindell within striking distance, with traffic coming into play just three laps later.
Swindell found open track again after the 12th round when Don Droud, Jr., spun to a stop in turn three after contact from another car. Swindell went the final half of the race virtually unchallenged, though he nearly spun exiting turn four on the 20th circuit.
“It seems like coming off turn four is a little different this year,” Swindell explained. “It’s challenging, you almost have to diamond it to hit it right.”
The only thing that slowed his charge to the checkered flag was a pair of incidents with 21 laps in the books. After Damion Gardner came to a stop in turn four after contact while battling for sixth with Yeley, it was Golobic and Buckwalter tangling in the same corner while dicing for fourth on the ensuing restate with Yeley caught up in the fracas and getting upside down.
Swindell cruised to the stripe over the final four laps, while Cottle raced past Sweet on the 23rd lap to snare runner-up honors in Dr. Kenneth Love’s Mopar-powered RDL Holdings No. 71xx Spike. “We started a little tight, but as the track slicked off we got better and better,” Cottle explained.
Sweet held on for the show position in the Kasey Kahne Racing Speedway Engines-powered Sage Fruit No. 49x Spike, explaining that, “We were a little conservative with our car, we didn’t see it getting quite that slick.”
California’s Richard VanderWeerd turned in the strongest performance thus far by a Chili Bowl rookie contender by climbing from seventh to claim fourth aboard Mike Sala’s No. 19s Spike, with Indiana’s Brady Short rounding out the top five.
Tracy Hines turned in the night’s top passing performance by racing from 22nd to sixth after advancing through both “C” and “B” Main action, with Rico Abreu, Tim Siner, 17th-starter A.J. Fike and 16th-starter Brian Camarillo completing the top ten.
VanderWeerd was one of two event rookies to make Thursday’s feature cut, with fellow California contender Ryan Bernal posting a 21st place finish.
Johnny Herrera, Golobic, Patrick Stasa, Gardner, Siner, Shane Cockrum, Kyle Steffens and Billy Lawhead each posted heat race victories among the 66-car field, with Golobic, J.C. Bland, Bernal and Cottle winning the Qualifying races.
Tim Crawley and Chris Windom won the “C” Mains, with Cockrum and Mario Clouser victorious in the “B” Mains.
Thursday’s Suburban Chevrolet Qualifier Results from the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals:
A Main (25 laps – Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event) 1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #71xx Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 3. #49x Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 4. #19s Richard VanderWeerd (Visalia, CA); 5. #37b Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 6. #24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN; 7. #67k Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA; 8. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL; 9. #3aj A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 10. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 11. #12b Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 12. #35m Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 13. #6a David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 14. #44 Don Droud, Jr., Lincoln, NE; 15. #19 Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS; 16. #05g Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 17. #25b Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 18. #98k P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 19. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 20. #17r Mario Clouser, Auburn, IL; 21. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 22. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 23. #14c Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL; 24. #98 J.C. Bland, Springfield, IL (DNS).
Heat Races (8 Laps each, Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #75H Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM; 2. #98 JC Bland, Springfield, IL; 3. #44S Clint Schubert, Calhan, CO; 4. #37B Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 5. #51X Matt Lundy, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #24 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 7. #94AU Brad Cox, Gunnedah, Australia; 8. #2D Doug Day, Winder, GA; 9. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK
Heat 2: 1. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 2. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 4. #19S Richard VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 5. #3AJ A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 6. #7J Shawn Jackson, Bear, DE; 7. #2AZ Rick Shuman, Gilbert, AZ; 8. #15K Conner Kassik, Lake Havasu, AZ; 9. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX
Heat 3: 1. #19 Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS; 2. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 3. #8J Blake Hahn, Salpupa, OK; 4. #71XX Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 5. #11B Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 6. #27C Kip Hughes, Enid, OK; 7. #12J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 8. #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK
Heat 4: 1. #05G Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 2. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 3. #93 Dustin Morgan, Broken Arrow, OK; 4. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 5. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; 7. #2G Terry Goodwin, Laveen, AZ; 8. #77G Mike Goodman, Broken Arrow, OK
Heat 5: 1. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL; 2. #25B Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 3. #25 Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 4. #17R Mario Clouser, Auburn, IL; 5. #29S Tim Kent, Sapulpa, OK; 6. #31E Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 7. #85J Matt Johnson, Edmond, OK; 8. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL
Heat 6: 1. #14C Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL: 2. #49X Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 3. #39B Jake Blackhurst, Mapleton, IL: 4. #9M Cory Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 5. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 6. #91H Mike Hudson, Carterville, IL: 7. #71P Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; 8. #1XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD
Heat 7: 1. #91X Kyle Steffens, St. Charles, MO; 2. #6A David Gough, Machesney Park, IL: 3. #12B Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 5. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 6. #71D Paige Polyak, Tiffin, OH; 7. #69 Randy Boyer, Belleville, KS; 8. #22K Kyle Bellm, Nixa, MO
Heat 8: 1. #21M Billy Lawhead, El Reno, OK; 2. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 3. #67K Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA; 4. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 5. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 6. #4J Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 7. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; DNS - #2A Donald McIntosh, Dawsonville, GA
C Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #4J Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 2. #29S Tim Kent, Sapulpa, OK; 3. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 4. #22K Kyle Bellm, Nixa, MO; 5. #31E Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 6. #12J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 7. #2AZ Rick Shuman, Gilbert, AZ; 8. #85J Matt Johnson, Edmond, OK; 9. #83H Jonathon Halford, Tulsa, OK; 10. #2G Terry Goodwin, Laveen, AZ; 11. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; 12. #77G Mike Goodman, Broken Arrow, OK; 13. #69 Randy Boyer, Belleville, KS
C Main 2: 1. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 2. #24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN; 3. #51X Matt Lundy, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #1XS Donovan Peterson, Brooksings, SD; 5. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX; 6. #15K Conner Kassik, Lake Havasu, AZ; 7. #94AU Brad Cox, Gunnedah, AUS; 8. #91H Mike Hudson, Carterville, IL; 9. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 10. #71D Paige Polyak, Tiffin, OH; DNS -- #2D Doug Day, Winder, GA; #71P Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; #2A Doug McIntosh, Dawsonville, GA
A Qualifiers (10 Laps – Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 2. #37B Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 3. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL: 5. #93 Dustin Morgan, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #05G Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 7. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 8. #25 Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 9. #9M Cory Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 10. #44S Clint Schubert, Calhan, CO
A Qualifier 2: 1. #98 JC Bland, Springfield, IL; 2. #67K Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA; 3. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 4. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 5. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarilo, CA; 6. #14C Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL; 7. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 8. #39B Jake Blackhurst, Mapleton, IL; 9. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 10. #7J Shawn Jackson, Bear, DE
A Qualifier 3: 1. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 2. #19S Richard VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 3. #25B Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 4. #17R Mario Clouser, Auburn, IL; 5. #75H Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM; 6. #3AJ A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 7. #6A David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 8. #91X Kyle Steffens, St. Charles, MO; 9. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 10. #27C Kip Hughes, Enid, OK
A Qualifier 4: 1. #71XX Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 2. #49X Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 3. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 4. #12B Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 5. #8J Blake Hahn, Salpupa, OK; 6. #11B Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 7. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 8. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 9. #21M Billy Lawhead, El Reno, OK; 10. #19 Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS
B Mains (15 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #14C Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL; 2. #3AJ A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 3. #19 Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS; 4. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 5. #75H Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM; 6. #91X Kyle Steffens, St. Charles, MO; 7. #4J Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 8. #93 Dustin Morgan, Broken Arrow, OK; 9. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 10. #7J Shawn Jackson, Bear, DE; 11. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 12. #9M Cory Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 13. #25 Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 14. #29S Tim Kent, Sapulpa, OK; 15. #8J Blake Hahn, Sapulpa, OK; 16. #22K Kyle Bellm, Nixa, MO
B Main 2: #17R Mario Clouser, Auburn, IL; 2. #6A David Gough, Machesney Park, IL: 3. #24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN; 4. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 5. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 6. #39B Jake Blackhurst, Mapleton, IL: 7. #21M Billy Lawhead, El Reno, OK; 8. #51X Matt Lundy, Phoenix, AZ; 9. #11B Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 10. #1XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 11. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 12. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 13. #27C Kim Hughes, Enid, OK; 14. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 15. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 16. #44S Clint Schubert, Calhan, CO
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Sammy Swindell Cashes in on River Spirit Casino Qualifier at Chili Bowl!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 11, 2012) – Sammy Swindell kept up his winning ways at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway by topping Wednesday night’s 25-lap River Spirit Casino Qualifier “A” Main event at the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.
The five-time Chili Bowl champion battled ahead of Danny Stratton after a handful of circuits and raced on to his seventh preliminary Chili Bowl main event win in front of Stratton and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart, who also locked into Saturday night’s 50-lap championship finale by virtue of earning podium finishes.
With the triumph in the Esslinger-powered John Christner Trucking/NOS Energy Drinks No. 1 Spike, Swindell locked into a Chili Bowl record 19th Chili Bowl finale.
“Here, the driver can influence the car a lot,” Swindell explained of his Chili Bowl success. “You’ve got to have a good car, but you can make it a bit different about where you place the car and what you do with the car.”
After winning his third Vacuworx International Race of Champions in four tries on Tuesday night, Swindell made a late run from his sixth starting position to win Wednesday night’s opening heat race and then climbed from sixth to second in his qualifying race to earn the pole position for the main event.
But, Swindell had his hands full with fellow front row starter Stratton over the initial handful of circuits as the pair battled for the lead in wheel-to-wheel fashion with Swindell on the low side and Stratton up top. “We had a pretty good run for a while there side-by-side,” Swindell explained of the opening rounds afterwards.
Swindell surged ahead in turn two on the sixth round and made his way to the upper portion of the track and set sail with Stratton and third-starter Stewart in his wake.
The savvy veteran reached traffic by the midway point and picked off one car after another over the ensuing rounds, with four cars separating himself from Stratton when the race’s only caution flew after 21 laps when Chris Ennis climbed a wheel and flipped in turn four.
With the lapped cars in place, Swindell checked out over the final four circuit to take the checkered flag with a 3.647-second advantage over Stratton in Steve and Dianna Hampton’s Esslinger-powered Hampton’s Kustom Works No. 77s Twister.
“We had a stuck bleeder in the right rear and Sammy kinda ran away with it,” Stratton explained after securing a starting berth for his third career Chili Bowl finale. “I was just trying to hang on there to get a spot in the ‘A’ on Saturday.”
Making his first Chili Bowl start since 2008, two-time event winner Stewart landed in his 11th Chili Bowl final by taking the show position in the Chevrolet Performance Parts No. 14 Spike.
“The big thing is Saturday night that you’re shooting for,” Stewart commented. “The goal for everybody tonight is to try to get in that top three and as long as you make that, that’s a good night.”
Behind the lead trio, Zach Daum held down the fourth position most of the way in front of Tyler Edwards and Jason Leffler. But, when Daum’s mount stumbled after the lap 21 restart, Edwards and Leffler mixed it up for fourth only to have Leffler slide to a stop in turn two after contact on the final lap just as Swindell took the checkered flag.
Edwards claimed the fourth position aboard Danny Felker’s Hatfield Chevy-powered No. 11T Spike, with Daum rounding out the top five in the Fontana-powered Daum Insurance No. 5d Eagle.
Caleb Armstrong raced 18th to claim sixth, with Chili Bowl rookie contender Shaun Insley of New Zealand in seventh. Another rookie contender, Pennsylvania’s Alex Bright, was eighth, with Brad Kuhn salvaging a ninth place run after climbing through both “C” and “B” Main competition just to make the feature cut after a lackluster heat race. Josh Ford completed the top ten from 16th.
In addition to Insley and Bright, California’s Jace VanderWeerd also made Wednesday’s feature cut as a rookie contender and placed 17th.
Like Kuhn, Gary Taylor worked through “C” and “B” Main action as well to finish 12th, just one spot behind Loyet Motorsports teammate Jon Stanbrough, who also advanced from “B” Main action.
Swindell, Billy Wease, Edwards, Robbie Whitchurch, VanderWeerd, Insley, Leffler and Brent Camarillo topped heat race action for Wednesday night’s 67-car field. Austin Brown won the first “C” Main, with Gavin Galbraith beating Taylor and Kuhn to the stripe in the second “C” Main. After Stanbrough won the first “B” Main, Armstrong beat a rallying Kuhn to the line in the second “B” Main. David Prickett, Christopher Bell, Stewart and Daum each claimed qualifying race wins.
Donnie Ray Crawford, last year’s Wednesday night feature winner, endured a tough evening. After a wild flip exiting turn two in his heat race, the third-generation racer advanced from “C” Main action only to get upside down again in a “B” Main scramble that put an early end to his night.
Wednesday’s River Spirit Casino Qualifier Results from the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals:
A Main (25 laps – Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event) 1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #77s Danny Stratton, Riverside, CA; 3. #14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 4. #11T Tyler Edwards, Salina, OK; 5. #5d Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 6. #7ca Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 7. #47x Shaun Insley, Royal Oak, NZ; 8. #77 Alex Bright, Collegeville, PA; 9. #17b Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 10. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 11. #05s Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 12. #05T Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 13. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 14. #91k Derek King, Goreville, IL; 15. #4g Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 16. #71 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 17. #8v Jace VenderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 18. #11bx Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 19. #15p David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 20. #21b Christopher Bell, Norman, OK; 21. #19x Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 22. #14jr Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 23. #86e Chris Ennis, San Diego, CA; 24. #1w Paul White, Waco, TX.
Heat Races (8 Laps each, Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 3. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 4. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 5. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, GA; 6. #35W Rick Wright Jr., Ponca City, OK; 7. #8 Mike Lapp, Goodyear, AZ; 8. #82 Eric Johnson, Rockford, IL; 9. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK
Heat 2: 1. #19X Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 2. #21V Jimmy Voitel, Covina, CA; 3. #77S Danny Stratton, Riverside, CA; 4. #12S Bryan Severs, Collison, IL; 5. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 6. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO; 7. #05T Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 8. #71KT Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL; 9. #44X Danny Smith, Argenta, IL
Heat 3: 1. #11T Tyler Edwards, Salina, OK; 2. #89 Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 3. #15P David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 4. #3F Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 5. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 6. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 7. #9H Matt Hummel, San Jose, CA; 8. #7C Pat Schudy, Springfield, MO; 9. #51S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA
Heat 4: 1. #82W Robbie Whitchurch, Chico, CA; 2. #91K Dereck King, Goreville, IL; 3. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO; 4. #75 Wes McIntyre, McCordsville, IN; 5. #7CA Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 6. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 7. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 8. #8K Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK
Heat 5: 1. #8V Jace VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 2. #86E Chris Ennis, San Diego, CA; 3. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; 4. #21B Christopher Bell, Norman, OK; 5. #4G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 6. #88W Dustin Weland, Parker, CO; 7. #91 Jeff Stasa, Kingman, KS; 8. #7RS Clint Boyles, Greenwood, MO
Heat 6: 1. #47X Shaun Insley, Royal Oak, NZ; 2. #14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 3. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 4. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 5. #11BX Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 6. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 7. #21JR Kevin Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 8. #83X Bob Lawlor, San Carlos, CA
Heat 7: 1. #71 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 2. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 3. #7W Harli White, Lindsay, OK; 4. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 5. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ; 6. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 7. #7T Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 8. #57K Steve Schaberg, Glenwood, AR
Heat 8: 1. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 2. #77 Alex Bright, Collegeville, PA; 3. #2B Tyler Reddick, Coming, CA; 4. #1W Paul White, Waco, TX; 5. #41 Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 6. #19N Nick O'Neal, Wagoner, OK; 7. #4X Shawn Peterson, Irving, TX; 8. #50 Ned Fry, West Burlington, IA
C Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 2. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 3. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, GA; 4. #71KT Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL; 5. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 6. #9H Matt Hummel, San Jose, CA; 7. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 8. #4X Shawn Petersen, Irving, TX; 9. #51S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 10. #88W Dusty Weland, Parker, CO; 11. #21JR Kevin Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 12. #7RS Clint Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 13. #91 Jeff Stasa, Kingman, KS; DNS - #83X Bob Lawlor, San Carlos, CA
C Main 2: 1. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO; 2. #05T Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 3. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 4. #8K Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #41 Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 6. #7C Pat Schudy, Springfield, MO; 7. #7T Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 8. #57K Steve Schaberg, Glenwood, AR; 9. #44X Danny Smith, Argenta, IL; 10. #8 Mike Lapp, Goodyear, AZ; 11. #35W Rick Wright Jr., Ponca City, OK; 12. #82 Eric Johnson; DNS - #50 Ned Fry, Burlington, IA
A Qualifiers (10 Laps – Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #15P David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 2. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 3. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 4. #91K Dereck King, Goreville, IL; 5. #1W Paul White, Waco, TX; 6. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ; 7. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 8. #8V Jace VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 9. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 10. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO
A Qualifier 2: 1. #21B Christopher Bell, Norman, OK; 2. #77S Danny Stratton, Riverside, CA; 3. #47X Shaun Insley, Royal Oak, NZ; 4. #86E Chris Ennis, San Diego, CA; 5. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 6. #89 Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 7. #4G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 8. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 9. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 10. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL
A Qualifier 3: 1. #14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 2. #71 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 3. #11T Tyler Edwards, Salina, OK; 4. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 5. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 6. #2B Tyler Reddick, Corning, CA; 7. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 8. #21V Jimmy Voitel, Covina, CA; 9. #19N Nick O'Neal, Wagoner, OK; 10. #12S Bryan Severs, Collison, IL
A Qualifier 4: 1. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 2. #77 Alex Bright, Collegeville, PA; 3. #11BX Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 4. #19x Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 5. #7CA Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 6. #3F Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 7. #75 Wes McIntyre, McCordsville, IN; 8. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 9. #82W Robbie Whitchurch, Chico, CA; 10. #7W Harli White, Lindsay, OK
B Mains (15 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 2. #11BX Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 3. #8V Jace VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 4. #1W Paul White, Waco, TX; 5. #89 Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 6. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 7. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 8. #71KT Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL; 9. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 10. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; 11. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 12. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 13. #7W Harli White, Lindsay, OK; 14. #82W Robbie Whitchurch, Chico, CA; 15. #19N Nick O'Neal, Wagoner, OK; 16. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, GA
B Main 2: 1. #7CA Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 2. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 3. #4G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 4. #05T Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 5. #3F Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 6. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 7. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 8. #2B Tyler Reddick, Corning, CA*; 9. #75 Wes McIntyre, McCordsville, IN; 10. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 11. #8K Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 12. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ; 13. #12S Bryan Severs, Collison, IL: 14. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO; 15. #21v Jimmy Voitel, Covina, CA; 16. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO
*Penalized a spot for hitting the restart cone
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Larson Kicks off Chili Bowl with Warren CAT Qualifier Triumph
Sammy Swindell Wins Race of Champions Again
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 10, 2012) – Coming off a remarkable breakthrough season in 2011, Kyle Larson added yet another notch to the win column by topping Tuesday night’s 25-lap Warren CAT Qualifying feature event to kick off the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.
The 19-year-old from Elk Grove, CA, raced by Kevin Ramey for the lead on the high side on the fifth round and worked traffic flawlessly over the final ten circuits to post the victory in front of NASCAR Nationwide champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and New Zealand’s Michael Pickens, all of whom locked into Saturday’s 50-lap Chili Bowl championship feature event.
While youth prevailed in the Qualifying feature event, veteran shoe Sammy Swindell snared his third Vacuworx International Race of Champions victory in four years by leading all 20 circuits of the special feature event. While the five-time Chili Bowl champion was out front all the way, he had to fend off a late bid from his son Kevin Swindell, two-time and reigning Chili Bowl champion, to secure the win.
While Larson, who ranked as the nation’s winningest open wheel driver in 2011 with triumphs across a variety of series, gridded the feature field outside the second row, it was Ramey and Chili Bowl rookie contender Matt Ward leading the Warren CAT feature field to the green flag from the front row.
Ramey gunned into the lead at the drop of the green flag, with Larson sweeping past Ward on the high side to take second on the third lap, moments before George White spun in turn three to bring out the first of three cautions in the initial six circuits.
With Fort Worth, Texas, shoe Ramey working the low side, Larson stuck to the high side and charged into the lead entering turn one on the fifth lap. Upon the completion of the fifth round, Thomas Meseraull caught the berm exiting turn four and went for a wild ride, with the race’s final caution flying a lap later when Ronnie Burke, Jr., spun to a stop in turn four.
With Larson out front in the Keith Kunz Motorsports Speedway Toyota-powered No. 67 Bullet, Ramey tried to mount a charge to regain the lead as action resumed.
“I could see him on the bottom sometimes in one and two, so I dropped back down there for a little bit until I felt like it got to slow,” Larson explained. “I wasn’t sure where Ricky (Stenhouse, Jr.) was, and I figured Ricky’s the type that would be up top so I had to get back up there as quick as I could.”
Indeed, Stenhouse, Jr., was into second by the eighth round, but Larson kept his chasers in the distance. Even when lapped traffic came into play after 15 laps, Larson’s pace was undeterred.
“Lapped traffic was pretty tough,” Larson commented. “They were all running the top so we had to throw some sliders at them and luckily they didn’t race us back too hard.”
Larson raced on to the checkered flag without challenge, crossing the stripe with a 1.573-second advantage over Stenhouse, Jr., in the CTR-BCI Esslinger-powered No. 39i Spike.
“I kinda wanted a caution to get to his back bumper,” Stenhouse, Jr., commented afterward. “But then I knew Michael (Pickens) would be in third and it would be a battle, so I was kinda glad we just ran it on out”
After starting seventh, Pickens battled past Brady Bacon for fourth on the 12th round and then took third from Ramey the next time around. Pickens kept the Loyet Motorsports Esslinger-powered Vacuworx International No. 05p Spike in the show position the rest of the way to lock into his fourth Chili Bowl finale in as many tries.
“The main thing is to be locked in,” the accomplished Kiwi shoe explained. “Now we can sit back and relax and don’t have to tear up any equipment.”
Bacon slipped around Ramey on the final circuit to snare fourth in the Wilke-Pak Toyota-powered No. 11 Spike, with Ramey rounding out the top five in the Printplace Motorsports Fontana-powered No. 7m Spike.
Casey Shuman advanced a half-dozen positions to claim sixth, while Ward crossed the stripe seventh after being the only rookie to make Tuesday night’s feature cut.
Andrew Felker was eighth, with 17th-starter Jerry Coons, Jr., and Darren Hagen completing the top ten.
After being unable to start his heat race, Jonathan Beason rallied back with triumphs in both “C” and “B” Main action before climbing to 12th in the feature event. Jimmy Light worked the alphabet as well, advancing from “C” Main competition to claim 17th in the “A” Main.
Meseraull, Johnathon Henry, Burke, Jr., Ryan Pace, R.J. Johnson, Ward, Jody Rosenboom and Justin Grant topped heat race action for Tuesday night’s 66-car field. Cameron Hagin and Beason won the “C” Mains, with Coons, Jr., and again Beason atop the “B” Mains.
With a stellar 14-car field assembled for VIROC IV, the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions, Sammy Swindell was the last one to draw for position. And, the 13 drivers before him left him the pole position.
That was all Swindell needed, as he jumped ahead of fellow front row starter Jason Leffler at the outset and led all the way to take the $2,500 triumph over the field of past Chili Bowl champions and standouts.
Working forward from fifth though, Kevin Swindell made it interesting after taking second from Damion Gardner on the 15th lap. Kevin challenged his father for the point before a caution flew with five laps to go for a tangle involving Brady Bacon and Leffler.
Sammy kept the younger Swindell at bay on the restart until the final lap, when Kevin pulled alongside on the backstretch. Sammy worked the low side of three and four though to retain command and took the checkered flag with a car-length advantage over Kevin.
Tracy Hines claimed the show position in VIROC IV action behind Swindell and Swindell, with Gardner and Joey Saldana rounding out the top five.
Tuesday:
A Main (25 laps – Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event) 1. #67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 2. #39i Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 3. #05p Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ; 4. #11 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #7m Kevin Ramey, Ft. Worth, TX; 6. #2h Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ; 7. #8L Matt Ward, Glenpool, OK; 8. #11a Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 9. #3nz Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, AZ; 10. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 11. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 12. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 13. #27s Andy Shouse, Oklahoma City, OK; 14. #35 Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 15. #11c Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 16. #05r Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 17. #16 Jimmy Light, Erie, PA; 18. #6r Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 19. #88h Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 20. #10w George White, Ft. Worth, TX; 21. #31 David Budres, Beloit, WI; 22. #23c Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN; 23. #4b Ronnie Burke, Jr., League City, TX; 24. #2T Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA.
Vacuworx Race of Champions (20 laps) 1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 3. #24 Tracy Hines, Greenfield, IN; 4. #05G Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 5. #67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #39C Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 7. #14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 8. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills MO; 9. #67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 10. Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 11. #5 (11) Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 12. #71 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 13. #21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; DNS - #39i Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS
Heat Races (8 Laps each, Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #2T Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 2. #2H Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ; 3. #7X Layne Himebaugh, Collisville, OK; 4. #9U Doug McCune, Colleyville, TX; 5. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX; 6. #55 Kyle Smith, Moorpark, CA; 7. #23 Tim Lynch, Columbus, IN; 8. #16 Jimmy Light, Erie, PA; 9. #73S Alex Sewell, Broken Arrow, OK
Heat 2: 1. #88H Johnathon Henry; 2. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 3. #27S Andy Shouse, Oklahoma City, OK; 4. #39I Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 5. #55F Taylor Ferns, Shelby Township, MI; 6. #67X Britton Bock, Angwin, CA; 7. #23F Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, IA; 8. #9B Harris Brooks, Houston, TX; 9. #3H Bubba Hunt, Tulsa, OK
Heat 3: 1. #4B Ronnie Burke, Jr., League City, TX; 2. #9D Sean Dodenhoff, Bakersfield, CA; 3. #88 Brenden Bright, Collegeville, PA; 4. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 5. #12 Chris Gurley, Hebron, IN; 6. #93R Jake Rosario, Guthrie, OK; 7. #27 Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, CA; 8. #33x Jason Lair, Del City, OK
Heat 4: 1. #05R Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #05P Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ; 3. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 4. #11 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 6. #17X Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN; 7. #73F Greg Edenholm, Malibu, CA; 8. #11XC Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO
Heat 5: 1. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 2. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 4. #6 Aaron Pierce, Daleville, IL; 5. #8B Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 6. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #87F Brian McClelland, Tulsa, Ok; DNS – Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN
Heat 6: 1. #8L Matt Ward, Glenpool, OK; 2. #3NZ Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 3. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 4. #23C Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #31 David Budres, Beloit, WI; 6. #20X Jimmy Harris, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #21X Nick Speidel, Muncie, IN; DNS – Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK
Heat 7: 1. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 2. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 3. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 4. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 5. #13 Ryan York, Racine, MN; 6. #40 Andy Huston, Roseville, IL; 7. #11XS Tony Norem, Bassel, MN; 8. W94 Waylon Weaver, Claremore, OK
Heat 8: 1. #35 Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 2. #45X C.J. Johnson, Quinter, KS; 3. #94 Darren Kingstone, Vandalia, IL; 4. #11C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 6. #77D Dalten Gabbard, Peoria, AZ; 7. #71X Shelton Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 8. #17M Andee Beierle, Bismarck, ND
C Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #23F Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, IA; 3. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 4. #73S Alex Sewell, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #20X Jimmy Harris, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #73F Greg Edenholm, Malibu, CA; 7. #23 Tim Lynch, Columbus, IN; 8. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 9. #77D Dalten Gabbard, Peoria, AZ; 10. #W94 Waylon Weaver, Claremore, OK: 11. #27 Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, CA; DNS - #87F Brian McClelland, Tulsa, OK; #11XC Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO
C Main 2: 1. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #33X Jason Lair, Del City, OK; 3. #16 Jimmy Light, Erie, PA; 4. #40 Andy Huston, Roseville, IL; 5. #9B Harris Brooks, Houston, TX; 6. #71X Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 7. #17M Andee Beierle, Bismarck, ND; 8. #67X Britton Bock, Angwin, CA; 9. #93R Jake Rosario, Guthrie, OK; 10. #55 Kyle Smith, Moorpark, CA; 11. #21X Nick Speidel, Muncie, IN; 12. #11XS Tony Norem, Dassle, MN; DNS - #3H Bubba Hunt, Tulsa, OK
A Qualifiers (10 Laps – Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 2. #8L Matt Ward, Glenpool, OK; 3. #27S Andy Shouse, Oklahoma City, OK; 4. #05R Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 6. #45X C.J. Johnson, Quinter, KS; 7. #94 Darren Kingston, Vandalia, IL; 8. #55F Taylor Ferns, Shelby Township, MI; 9. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 10. 37X Layne Himebaugh, Collinsville, OK
A Qualifier 2: 1. #11 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #39i Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 3. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 4. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 5. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 6. #9U Doug McCune, Colleyville, TX; 7. #8B Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 8. #9D Sean Dodenhoff, Bakersfield, CA; 9. #12 Chris Gurley, Hebron, IN; 10. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA
A Qualifier 3: 1. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 2. #2H Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ; 3. #2T Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 4. #35 Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 5. #31 David Budres, Beloit, WI; 6. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 7. #88 Brenden Bright, Collegeville, PA; 8. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 9. #13 Ryan York, Racine, MN; 10. #6 Aaron Pierce, Daleville, IN
A Qualifier 4: 1. #05P Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ; 2. #67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 3. #23C Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #11C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #88H Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 6. #3NZ Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, AZ; 7. Ronnie Burke, Jr., League City, TX; 8. #17X Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN; 9. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX; 10. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA
B Mains (15 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #3NZ Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 2. #23C Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #88H Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 4. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX; 5. #55F Taylor Ferns, Shelby Township, MI; 6. #73S Alex Sewell, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #7X Layne Himebaugh, Collinsville, OK; 8. #17X Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN; 9. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 10. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 11. #94 Darren Kingston, Vandalia, IL; 12. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 13. #23F Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, IA; 14. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; DNS - #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; #13 Ryan York, Racine, MN
B Main 2: 1. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #16 Jimmy Light, Erie, PA; 3. #31 David Budres, Beloit, WI; 4. #4B Ronnie Burke, Jr., League City, TX; 5. #88 Brenden Bright, Collegeville, PA; 6. #6 Aaron Pierce, Daleville, IN; 7. #9U Doug McCune, Colleyville, TX; 8. #33X Jason Lair, Del City, OK; 9. #40 Andy Huston, Roseville, IL; 10. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 11. #8B Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 12. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 13. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 14. #12 Chris Gurley, Hebron, IN; 15. #9D Sean Dodenhoff, Bakersfield, CA; 16. #45X C.J. Johnson, Quinter, KS
Chili Bowl Kicks Off Tonight
TULSA, Okla. (January 10, 2012) – The Bowl Season isn’t quite done yet, as the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals kicks off tonight at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway with the first of four qualifying nights as well as the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions.
While 14 drivers square off in VIROC IV, including NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart, 67 drivers are currently slated to battle it out in the Warren CAT Qualifying event with tonight’s top three finishers locked into Saturday night’s 50-lap Chili Bowl championship finale.
Three drivers will be pulling double-duty tonight by competing in both the Warren CAT Qualifier as well as VIROC IV, including NASCAR Nationwide champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., California sensation Kyle Larson and Oklahoma ace Brady Bacon.
While those three mix it up with “Smoke”, a pair of Swindell’s and more in VIROC IV, the Warren CAT Qualifier portion also includes the likes of Michael Pickens, Jerry Coons, Jr., Darren Hagen, Thomas Meseraull, Casey Shuman and Jonathan Beason among others.
A complete list of Tuesday’s Warren CAT Qualifiers is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx?c=1032, with Tuesday’s VIROC IV contenders listed at http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx?c=1034.
Tuesday’s hot laps get under way at 5:00 p.m. with racing action going green at 6:00 p.m. Tickets for Tuesday’s action are available at the door for $43. Pit passes only are available for the rest of the week.
For more information, contact the Chili Bowl office at 918-838-3777 or check www.chilibowl.com.
-end-
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Past Chili Bowl Champions
'12 Kevin Swindell
'11 Kevin Swindell
'10 Kevin Swindell
'09 Sammy Swindell
'08 Damion Gardner
'07 Tony Stewart
'06 Tim McCreadie
'05 Tracy Hines
'04 Cory Kruseman
'03 Dan Boorse
'02 Tony Stewart
'01 Jay Drake
'00 Cory Kruseman
'99 Dan Boorse
'98 Sammy Swindell
'97 Billy Boat
'96 Sammy Swindell
'95 Donnie Beechler
'94 Andy Hillenburg
'93 Dave Blaney
'92 Sammy Swindell
'91 Lealand McSpadden
'90 Jon Heydenreich
'89 Sammy Swindell
'88 Scott Hatton
'87 Rich Vogler
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