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When: January 12-16, 2010
Where: Tulsa, OK
Location: Tulsa Expo Raceway
Tickets: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals were depleted by the end of May. A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Warren CAT Qualifying Event and the Second Annual Vacuworx International 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.
Past Winners: Sammy Swindell (2009), 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).
Kevin Swindell wins Chili Bowl Nationals: Another one of those coveted Golden Driller trophies is going back to Tennessee. This time though, it’s not in Sammy’s hands as Kevin Swindell topped Saturday night’s 50-lap Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals main event that wrapped up a full slate of Rockstar Energy Drink championship feature events atop the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.
The 20-year-old from Germantown, TN, led the final 26 rounds to become the youngest winner in Chili Bowl Nationals history, adding a sixth Golden Driller from the prestigious Midget racing event to the Swindell family collection that already includes hardware from his father’s unmatched five wins.
After pole starter Darren Hagen and Cory Kruseman both enjoyed stints at the front of the field, Kevin Swindell took command just prior to the midway point and then survived a late caution in the hotly-contested affair that gave both Cole Whitt and a rallying Sammy Swindell one last opportunity.
“I felt like the best laps I ran all night were on the restarts, so I was somewhat confident but I knew I had to go,” the younger Swindell explained.
Swindell went on successfully to Roger Slack’s checkered flag to take the win in the Esslinger-powered John Christner Trucking No. 39 Spike in front of Whitt and his father Sammy, who rallied from the tail on several occasions after using a defending race winner’s provisional to start the main event.
“This year he (Kevin) had a race that didn’t tear up anything, this year I tore up a lot,” the five-time Chili Bowl champion explained. “But we salvaged a first and a third, so we’ll have to come back next year and try to make it a one-two like it probably could have been last year.”
After winning Wednesday night’s River Spirit Casino Qualifier, Kevin Swindell started the main event outside the front row only to fall back as far as sixth as pole starter Darren Hagen paced the early rounds.
“I wish I would of have been too tight at the beginning, but I was way too free and that really worried me and I kinda felt that I wasn’t gonna be good enough at the end,” Kevin Swindell explained.
But after Sammy Swindell was involved in tangles on laps eleven and 18 that Sammy said, “…shortened my race up too much,” Kevin made the adjustments he needed.
“The yellows at the beginning helped,” Kevin explained. “I got to work with the shocks a whole lot and just keep getting tighter and tighter. It was good enough.”
While Friday’s E3 Spark Plugs Qualifier winner Cory Kruseman had taken the lead away from Hagen on the ninth round, Cole Whitt and then Kevin Swindell set sail on the high side and began moving to the front.
Whitt battled past Hagen for second on the 20th round while Kevin Swindell moved past Jerry Coons, Jr., and Michael Pickens for fourth by the time the caution flew for a seven-car scramble in turn three in which Brad Loyet got upside down.
A lap later, Hagen’s Chili Bowl victory hopes were doused when he got turned around in turn one, handing third to Swindell.
Swindell blasted past Whitt on the restart and then took the lead away from Kruseman on the 24th lap as Whitt got shuffled back a pair of positions after an exchange with Michael Pickens on a track conducive to extreme slide job activity.
Whitt worked his way back up to second by the 31st lap and tailed the leader the rest of the way, trying to mount a charge on several occasions including after the race’s final caution set up a green-white-checkered run to the stripe.
Swindell proved too strong, with Whitt settling for second in the Keith Kunz Motorsports Toyota-powered Red Bull No. 71 Bullet.
“I was trying everything I could and I couldn’t really keep up with Kevin,” Whitt explained. “We were close, if Kevin made a few mistakes I could kinda get close to him but he made only a few.”
The final restart didn’t necessarily work to Whitt’s advantage either, with the 18-year-old explaining that, “We were real good on long runs, we could build up a little air pressure in the right rear. On the restarts we’d be real, real tight on the cushion so I couldn’t really throw it in there as hard as I wanted. Running second here is huge, there’s just so many cars.”
In a bid to become the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl history, Sammy Swindell’s odds were long after being collected in a crash while leading Thursday night’s Bully Dog Qualifying feature event.
Rather than risk damage by racing from a “C” Main, the veteran shoe opted to utilize the defending race winner’s provisional for the main event. And by the end of the 50-lapper, Sammy had the capacity crowd on its feet as he had the lead duo in his crosshairs.
Starting from 25th, the opening rounds were rough with Sammy involved in a pair of incidents that prompted Kevin to say, “At the beginning it was easy to keep track of him because he was sittin’ there on the yellows.”
That changed soon after though. And, after dodging the seven-car scrum on lap 20, he was back in the hunt.
Sammy mixed it up among the top ten over the last 20 circuits, ultimately working his way up to third by the time the race’s final caution flew after 48 laps.
Kevin had tracked his father’s progress as good as possible, noting that, “With ten to go I saw he was sixth, and then on the green-white-checkered I could just tell by the crowd he was coming.”
Sammy’s charge for a sixth Golden Driller and second in a row came up short as he followed the young duo across the line to take the show position in the Esslinger-powered John Christner Trucking No. 1 Spike.
Jerry Coons, Jr., finished fourth in the finale for the second year in a row aboard the Wilke Pak Motorsports Toyota-powered Speedway Motors No. 4 Spike, with two-time Chili Bowl Hard Charger Award winner Chris Windom racing from 20th to a career-best event finish of fifth aboard the Keith Kunz Motorsports Esslinger-powered No. 17 Bullet.
Shane Cottle raced from 15th to sixth, with Mike Hess charging from 22nd to seventh. After leading from laps nine through 23, Kruseman was shuffled back to eighth at the finish, with Brad Sweet gaining eight positions to finish ninth in his first career Chili Bowl championship feature start. Sweet bested car owner and teammate Kasey Kahne, who finished 18th after winning the first “B” Main.
After winning the night’s second “B” Main, Kyle Larson completed the top ten in one of two Cory Tucker Racing/BCI entries to crack the feature field.
New Zealand car owner Simon Longdill matched Kasey Kahne Racing, Keith Kunz Motorsports, Swindell Motorsports and Corey Tucker Racing/BCI by placing two entries in the championship finale with Michael Pickens finishing eleventh and 20th-runner Brad Mosen the event’s top finishing Chili Bowl rookie contender.
Saturday’s 20-race Rockstar Energy Drink slate of championship feature events opened with Ronnie Gardner winning the “K” Main.
Seventy-five year old Floyd Alvis won the first “J” Main, with IRA Sprint Car champ Billy Balog topping the second “J” Main.
Stonington, IL, shoe Derrick Myers provided early entertainment by reeling off an “I” Main win, an “H” Main win and a runner-up “G” Main showing before running out of steam in the first “F” Main.
Eric Sandage won the second “I” Main, while Austen Wheatley made a late move around Kevin Ramey to win the second “H” Main after early leader Aaron Ott decided to test the turn one retaining wall without success.
After Tanner Mullens held off Myers in the first “G” Main, Matt Sherrell bested fellow Owasso, OK, entrant Dex Eaton in the second “G” Main.
Ronnie Burke and Matt Mitchell won the twin “F” Mains, with Randy Hannagan and Gary Taylor best in the “E” Mains.
Johnny Rodriquez and Josh Wise took “D” Main checkered flags, with Shane Hollingsworth and Josh Pelkey first in the “C” Mains.
Kasey Kahne overtook Shane Cottle on the 11th round en route to winning the first “B” Main, with Cottle, Sweet, Chad Boat, Brad Loyet and Brent Beauchamp earning transfers to the main event. Loyet’s night started in the “C” Main.
Kyle Larson made a lap 15 move around Windom to take the checkered flag in the second “B” Main ahead of Thomas Meseraull, Daniel Adler, Windom, Hess and Bobby East.
RESULTS
Saturday’s Rockstar Energy Drink Championship Feature Events from the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals:
K Mains (Top 8 - Pos. 1, 3, 5, 7 to back of 1st J Main; Pos. 2, 4, 6, 8 to back of 2nd J Main)
K Main: 1. #51X Ronnie Gardner, Norco, CA; 2. #8E Murray Erickson, Odessa, TX; 3. #93X Brian Harvey, Durant, OK; 4. #33 Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; 5. #2R Riley Adair, Tulsa, OK; 6. #27 Brock Lemley, Bellingham, WA; 7. #40H Andy Huston, Roseville, IL; 8. #50 Ted Kirkpatrick, Waterloo, IL DNS -- #57 Kevin Studley, Plainfield, IN; #56X Curtis Bailey, Bartlesville, OK; #27D Nick Chivello, Brookings, SD; #111 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; #27B Joe Bob Lee, Cache, OK; #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL; #76K Michael Koontz, Bloomington, IN; #83X Bruce Buckwalter Jr., Royersford, PA
J Mains (Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding I Main)
J Main 1: 1. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 2. #71T Tim Pyle, Portland, OR; 3. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 4. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 5. #51X Ronnie Gardner, Norco, CA; 6. #2G Terry Goodwin, Laveen, AZ; 7. #82 Eric Johnson, Rockford, IL; 8. #31V Victor Davis, Ventura, CA; 9. #19N Nick O'Neal, Wagoner, OK; 10. #40H Andy Huston, Roseville, IL; 11. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 12. #6E Rafe Essary, Stillwell, OK: 13. #93X Brian Harvey, Durant, OK; 14. #2R Riley Adair, Tulsa, OK; DNS -- #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; #61 Chad Pitts, Little Rock, AR
J Main 2: 1. #73E Billy Balog, Chippewa Falls, WI; 2. #7J Clint Todd, Lynchburg, MO; 3. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 4. #15J Jeff Wimmenauer, New Whiteland, IN; 5. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 6. #0Z Johnny Murdock, Dallas, TX; 7. #91 Donnie Trent, Honey Brook, PA; 8. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 9. #8E Murray Erickson, Odessa, TX; 10. #27 Brock Lemley, Bellingham, WA; 11. #5M Zach Cougill, Greenwood, IN; 12. #12D Dusty Heistand, Manheim, PA; 13. #44X Forrest Slater, Alabaster, AL; 14. #33 Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; 15. #12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL; DNS -- #50 Ted Kirkpatrick, Waterloo, IL
I Mains (Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding H Main)
I Main 1: 1. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 2. #17K Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 3. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 4. #19K Klint Angelette, Thibodaux, LA; 5. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 6. #71T Tim Pyle, Portland, OR; 7. #7C Pat Schudy, Springfield, MO; 8. #25Z Chris Zrinski, Forked River, NJ; 9. #89JR Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 10. #14 Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 11. #14K Channing Zierolf, Houma, LA; 12. #47JR Ron Bach, Santa Paula, CA; 13. #73X Greg Edenholm, Malibu, CA; 14. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; DNS -- #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; #57K Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL
I Main 2: 1. #60 Eric Sandage, Alexander, AR; 2. #19S Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS; 3. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 4. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 5. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 6. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 7. #73E Billy Balog, Chippewa Falls, WI; 8. #36F Frank Flud, Broken Arrow, OK; 9. #04 Cap Henry, Bellevue, OH; 10. #90 Toni Lutar, Richmond, BC; 11. #10W George White, Fort Worth; 12. #31B Bruce Douglass, Ventura, CA; 13. #15J Jeff Wimmenauer, New Whiteland, IN; 14. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 15. #7J Clint Todd, Lynchburg, MO; DNS -- #7RS Matt Gilbert, Shawnee, KS
H Mains (Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding G Main)
H Main 1: 1. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 2. #40 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 3. #9D Sean-Mikael Dodenhoff, Bakersfield, CA; 4. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #39L Billy Lawhead, Tulsa, OK; 6. #17K Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 7. #2A J.C. Bland, Springfield, IL; 8. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 9. #6C Brian Carter, Concord, NC; 10. #19K Klint Angelette, Thibodaux, LA; 11. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 12. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 13. #11XC Steve Newman, Breckenridge, CO; 14. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 15. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; DNS -- #23 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE
H Main 2: 1. #73I Austen Wheatley, Lake Stevens, WA; 2. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #13X Andrew Elson, Carmel, IN; 4. #92 Jake Rosario, Guthrie, OK; 5. #8K Bud Kaeding, San Jose, CA; 6. #60 Eric Sandage, Alexander, AR; 7. #89 Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 8. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO; 9. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 10. #2J Jackie Burke, Houston, TX; 11. #31E Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 12. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 13. #4F Chad Frewaldt, Kansas City, KS; 14. #25A Aaron Ott, York Springs, PA; 15. #19S Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS DNS -- #99J Eric Todd, Falcon, MO
G Mains (Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding F Main)
G Main 1: 1. #19T Tanner Mullens, Andale, KS; 2. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 3. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 4. #86J Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 5. #40 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 6. #12H Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, CA; 7. #9D Sean-Mikael Dodenhoff, Bakersfield, CA; 8. #118 Kyle Steffans, St. Charles, MO; 9. #16B David Budres, Beloit, WI; 10. #10X Alissa Geving, Penngrove, CA; 11. #60S Wink Schweitzer, Bakersfield, CA; 12. #67H Harris Brooks, Houston, TX; 13. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 14. #25K Steve Knepper, Belleville, IL DNS -- #99K Kyle Rayburn, Pueblo, CO; #24T Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK
G Main 2: 1. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 2. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 3. #37X Jason Grady, Farmington, NM; 4. #10P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 5. #13X Andrew Elson, Carmel, IN; 6. #12 Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 7. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 8. #73I Austen Wheatley, Lake Stevens, WA; 9. #97 Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 10. #92 Jake Rosario, Guthrie, OK; 11. #56D Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 12. #89H Andrew Hannula, Matawan, NJ; 13. #6D Lex Burritt, Redding, CT; 14. #3J Julee Jamison, Highlands Ranch, CO; 15. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX DNS -- #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK
F Mains (Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding E Main)
F Main 1: 1. #4B Ronnie Burke Jr., League City, TX; 2. #4S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 3. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 4. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #37T Josh Grady, Farmington, NM; 6. #19T Tanner Mullens, Andale, KS; 7. #86J Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 8. #87JR Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 9. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN; 10. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 11. #16 Jimmy Winkler, Parkville, MO; 12. #85 Patrick Bruns, Champaign, IL; 13. #45C Chris Coker, Greenville, TX; 14. #73S Cole Smith, Plainfield, IN; 15. #75P Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN; 16. #11S Chris Sheil, Englewood, CO
F Main 2: 1. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 2. #16F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 3. #17E Tanner Berryhill, Tulsa, OK; 4. #91S Jeff Stasa, Kingman, KS; 5. #27C Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 6. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK: 7. #7S Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 8. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 9. #37X Jason Grady, Farmington, NM; 10. #71X Henry Clarke, Villa Park, CA; 11. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 12. #10P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 13. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; DNS -- #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; #15D Andrew Deal, #15M Mat Neely, Robinson, IL
E Mains (Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding D Main)
E Main 1: 1. #07 Randy Hannagan, San Jose, CA; 2. #47X Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 3. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL: 4. #4S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 5. #51C Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 6. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 7. #2X Nic Faas, Huntington Beach, CA; 8. #0 Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 9. #1TX Paul White, Temple, TX; 10. #11B Scotty Weir, Marion, IN; 11. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 12. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 13. #5* Ray Allen Kulhanek, Magnolia, TX; 14. #4B Ronnie Burke, League City, TX; 15. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; DNS -- #7A Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN
E Main 2: 1. #1AU Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 2. #87B Stuart Snyder, Lincoln, NE; 3. #37B Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 4. #9H Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #7 Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 6. #19W Wes Gutierrez, San Martin, CA; 7. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 8. #11C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 9. #23T Tanner Swanson, Kingsburg, CA; 10. #91S Jeff Stasa, Kingman, KS; 11. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 12. #54 Evan Pardo, Gatesville, TX; 13. #17E Tanner Berryhill, Tulsa, OK; 14. #27S Andy Shouse, Oklahoma City, OK; 15. #16F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; DNS -- #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO
D Mains (Top 6 transfer to back of corresponding C Main)
D Main 1: 1. #37M Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA; 2. #11K Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 3. #47 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 4. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 5. #8X Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #55B Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 7. #19 Colby Copeland, Roseville, CA; 8. #92W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 9. #4S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 10. #12K Tyler Edwards, Ventura, CA; 11. #7E Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 12. #91AU Brad Cox, Gunnedah, AUS; 13. #07 Randy Hannagan, San Jose, CA; 14. #6X Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 15. #0X Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 16. #47X Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 17. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 18. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN
D Main 2: 1. #17W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 2. #67 J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #U1 Dustin Morgan, Tulsa, OK; 4. #91K Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 5. #91J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 6. #F5 Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 7. #37B Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 8. #75Z Dusty Zomer, Brandon, SD; 9. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 10. #1AU Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 11. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 12. #3C Cale Conley, Vienna, WV; 13. #19R Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, CA; 14. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 15. #87B Stuart Snyder, Lincoln, NE; 16. #2 Davey Ray, Rockford, IL; 17. #14AJ Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK DNS -- #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN
C Mains (Top 6 to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #86 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 2. #05C Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 3. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; 4. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 5. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 6. #9J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 7. #55 Alex Bowman, Oro Valley, AZ; 8. #32 Tyler Walker, Encino, CA; 9. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 10. #47 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 11. #4X Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 12. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 13. #55B Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 14. #6 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 15. #14AJ Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 16. #8X Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 17. #11K Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 18. #05S Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 19. #37M Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA; DNS – #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN
C Main 2: 1. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ; 2. #71K Jay Drake, Val Verde, CA; 3. #3F Casey Riggs, Shelbyville, IN; 4. #56 Shane Hmiel, Pleasant Garden, NC; 5. #67 J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #F5 Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 7. #75 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 8. #24 Rick Eckert, York, PA; 9. #91K Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 10. #14C Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL; 11. #6B Keith Bloom, Anderson, CA; 12. #5K Jimmy Light, West Springfield, PA; 13. #91J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 14. #15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 15. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 16. #17W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 17. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 18. #U1 Dustin Morgan, Tulsa, OK; 19. #84X Colton Heath, Marysville, WA; 20. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ
B Mains (Top 6 in each advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #91X Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 2. #1ST Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 3. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 4. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 5. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 6. #75B Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 7. #2B LeviJones, Olney, IL; 8. #39B Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 9. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 10. #86 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 11. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; 12. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 13. #44D Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 14. #05C Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 15. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 16. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 17. #9J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 18. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 19. #11 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 20. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL
B Main 2: 1. #39I Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 2. #2T Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 3. #401 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 4. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 5. #51 Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 6. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #11W Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 8. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 9. #F5 Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 10. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL: 11. #67 J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 12. #56 Shane Hmiel, Pleasant Garden, NC; 13. #71K Jay Drake, Val Verde, CA; 14. #3W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 15. #3F Casey Riggs, Shelbyville, IN; 16. #49K Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 17. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 18. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 19. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ; 20. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz
A Main (50 Laps)
1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 3. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 4. #5 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 5. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 6. #1ST Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 7. #51 Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 8. #21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 9. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 10. #39I Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 11. #88NZ Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ; 12. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 13. #75B Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 14. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 15. #401 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 16. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 17. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 18. #91X Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 19. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 20. 19NZ Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 21. #2T Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 22. #39C Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 23. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 24. #13 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 25. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ. (PR)
1-15-2010
'The Kruser' is Back on Top in Friday Chili Bowl Qualifier: Cory Kruseman proved that he hasn’t forgotten the way to victory lane at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway by winning Friday night’s 25-lap E3 Spark Plugs Qualifying main event at the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.
“The Kruser” held off the challenges of Jerry Coons, Jr., for the win, with Danny Stratton knocking off the rust of an idle year by battling past Chris Windom on the final round for the third and final lock-in position to Saturday night’s 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event.
With a pair of Golden Drillers on the mantle after Chili Bowl triumphs in 2000 and 2004, it marked Kruseman’s first Tulsa Expo Raceway win since a Friday preliminary score in 2006. And, after missing the main event cut over the past three years, Kruseman fielded his own entry to earn a ninth career Chili Bowl main event start.
“It’s bitter and it’s sweet at the same time,” Kruseman explained of his departure from Andy Bondio’s entry. “It’s nice to know that you can put a car together at the caliber of going out and winning races. But, at the same time, me and Andy Bondio and John Martens had ten great years here, we had a lot of fun and we did really well together. It was just time for me to get all my things under one roof.”
After earning the pole position for the main event, Kruseman outgunned Coons for the lead at the outset and paced the early rounds.
As the lead duo reeled in the tail of the pack, at least one of the leaders was nearly taken out for the second time in as many nights when Johnathon Henry, Travis Berryhill, Josh Wise and Kody Swanson tangled in turns one and two.
“I already tucked my head down, I was ready to turn over,” Kruseman explained after narrowly avoiding the scrum. “I honestly thought I was gonna hit ‘em with the right rear. I saw the crash happening and saw the cars that were involved and then one popped out that I never saw, I don’t know how I missed him.”
It proved to be a critical point in the race after Kruseman fought off Coons in the final stages to secure the win aboard the Kruseman Motorsports Mopar-powered Lucas Oil/Sander Engineering No. 21k Spike.
“Like I’ve said for all the years we’ve been coming here, you can buy the best cars, you can have the best driver, you can have the best crew chief, you can have the best parts, but if you don’t have luck then nothing else matters. And that’s what showed tonight.”
Coons kept pace and may have had his best opportunity to pounce negated when J.J. Yeley came to a stop in turn four with 18 laps in the books just as Kruseman was approaching a gaggle of four cars.
Coons made a couple of challenges over the final laps, but settled for runner-up honors in the Wilke Pak Motorsports Toyota-powered Speedway Motors No. 5 Spike as he locked into his 11th career Chili Bowl championship main event.
“The one big slide job that I tried, I wasn’t really gonna try at that point,” Coons commented. “Maybe if I would of tried it in the other corner instead of three and four, but I just did what I could and ran second.”
Making his first start since last year’s Chili Bowl, California native Danny Stratton battled past Chris Windom on the final round to snare the show position aboard Betsy Stuebgen’s Esslinger-powered Indy Race Parts No. 13 Spike.
“To be here is kinda surreal, I’ve never been in this room before,” commented the seventh-place Chili Bowl finisher from six years ago. “When I did it in 2004, I came from the ‘D’ so I had to do some work. Now it’ll be a little easier to concentrate on the car a little better.”
Windom settled for fourth in the Esslinger-powered Keith Kunz Motorsports No. 17 Bullet, with Chad Boat rounding out the top five in Billy Boat’s VDS-Ford Esslinger-powered Impact/Eibach No. 30 Spike.
After winning the first “B” Main, Mike Hess raced from 17th to sixth, with Levi Jones, Bobby Michnowicz, 22nd-starter Don Droud, Jr., and Chili Bowl rookie contender Trevor Kobylarz completing the top ten.
Kobylarz was one of four Chili Bowl rookies among the feature field, with others including Colton Heath, Alex Bowman and Kody Swanson.
Justin Grant, J.J. Yeley, Casey Riggs, Brad Loyet, Stratton, Swanson, Travis Berryhill and Michnowicz topped heat race action for Friday night’s 64-car field, with Kruseman, Brett Anderson, Windom and Levi Jones winning the qualifying races.
Hunter Schuerenberg and Joey Saldana won the twin “C” Mains, with Hess and Loyet topping the twin “B” Mains.
George White, Brent Camarillo, Daniel Robinson and Bruce Buckwalter, Jr., all flipped in heat race action, Cole Peard, Donovan Peterson and Austin Smith got upside down in “C” Mains and Nick Knepper turned over in a “B” Main.
Cleared by his doctors at the last minute after an injury sustained in August, J.J. Yeley jumped into the seat of a vacant Keith Kunz Motorsports entry. After a heat race win, Yeley had a tumultuous qualifier, raced in through the “B” Main and then finished 20th after his late stoppage.
With four nights in the books, 256 competitors will battle it out in Saturday’s Rockstar Energy Drink slate of championship events that gets under way at 12:00 p.m.
RESULTS
Friday Night’s E3 Spark Plugs Qualifier Results from the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals:
Heat Races (Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 2. #21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 3. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 4. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #7A Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 6. #56D Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL: 7. #86J Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 8. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX
Heat 2: 1. #67 J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 2. #9H Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 4. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 5. #4S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 6. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 7. #25Z Chris Zrinski, Forked River, NJ; DNS -- #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA
Heat 3: 1. #3F Casey Riggs, Shelbyville, IN; 2. #87JR Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 3. #2J Jackie Burke, Houston, TX; 4. #51C Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 5. #16B David Budres, Beloit, WI; 6. #24T Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK: 7. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL: 8. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL
Heat 4: 1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. #11K Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 3. #49K Bryan Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 4. #51 Mike Hess, Springfield, IL: 5. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL: 6. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 7. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 8. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK
Heat 5: 1. #13 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #55 Alex Bowman, Oro Valley, AZ; 3. #17W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 4. #8K Bud Kaeding, San Jose, CA; 5. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; 6. #12D Dusty Heistand, Manheim, PA; 7. #7J Clint Todd, Lynchburg, MO; 8. #37B Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL
Heat 6: 1. #19R Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, CA; 2. #6X Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 3. #9J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 4. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO; 5. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 6. #93X Brian Harvey, Durant, OK; 7. #83X Bruce Buckwalter Jr., Royersford, PA; 8. #27D Nick Chivello, Manteca, CA
Heat 7: 1. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 2. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 4. #2B Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 5. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 7. #15M Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 8. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK
Heat 8: 1. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 2. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 3. #5 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 4. #84X Colton Heath, Marysville, WA; 5. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 6. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 8. #57K Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL
C Mains (Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #4S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 2. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 3. #37B Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 4. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; 5. #57K Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 6. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX; 7. #25Z Chris Zrinski, Forked River, NJ; 8. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 9. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 10. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 11. #27D Nick Chivello, Manteca, CA DNS -- #83X Bruce Buckwalter Jr., Royersford, PA
C Main 2: 1. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #86J Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 3. #15M Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 4. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK: 5. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 6. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 7. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 8. #7J Clint Todd, Lynchburg, MO; 9. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 10. #12D Dusty Heistand, Manheim, PA; 11. #93X Brian Harvey, Durant, OK DNS -- #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL
A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 2. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #13 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #9H Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 6. #51 Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 7. #2J Jackie Burke, Houston, TX; 8. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 9. #51C Brent Camarillo, CA; 10. #8K Bud Kaeding, San Jose, CA
A Qualifier 2: 1. #11K Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 2. #55 Alex Bowman, Oro Valley, AZ; 3. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 4. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 5. #87JR Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 6. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 7. #7A Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 8. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 9. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO; 10. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN
A Qualifier 3: 1. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 2. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #49K Bryan Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 4. #6X Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 5. #17W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 6. #67 J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 7. #9J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 8. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 9. #16B David Budres, Beloit, WI; 10. #56D Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL
A Qualifier 4: 1. #2B Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 2. #5 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 3. #19R Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, CA; 4. #3F Casey Riggs, Shelbyville, IN; 5. #84X Colton Heath, Marysville, WA; 6. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 7. #88 Jonathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 8. #24T Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 9. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 10. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL
B Mains (Top 4 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #51 Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 2. #84X Colton Heath, Marysville, WA; 3. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 4. #9J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 5. #7A Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 6. #37B Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 7. #51C Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 8. #4S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 9. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 10. #87JR Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 11. #24T Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 12. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 13. #16B David Budres, Beloit, WI; 14. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 15. #8K Bud Kaeding, San Jose, CA; 16. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO
B Main 2: 1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. #67 J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 4. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 5. #9H Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 7. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 8. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 9. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN; 10. #15M Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 11. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 12. #86J Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 13. #56D Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 14. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO; 15. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 16. #2J Jackie Burke, Houston, TX
A Main (25 laps – Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
1. #21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 2. #5 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 3. #13 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 5. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #51 Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 7. #2B Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 8. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 9. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 10. #49K Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 11. #3F Casey Riggs, Shelbyville, IN; 12. #9J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 13. #84X Colton Heath, Marysville, WA; 14. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 15. #88 Jonathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 16. #55 Alex Bowman, Oro Valley, AZ; 17. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 18. #17W Jose Wise, Riverside, CA; 19. #11K Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 20. #67 J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 21. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 22. #19R Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, CA; 23. #6X Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 24. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA
Chili Bowl Nationals kickoff this week: Just one week into the new decade, the nation's premier motorsports spectacle is already upon us as the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals brings the City of Tulsa to life like no other time of the year. Closing in on a quarter-century of unforgettable racing action atop the QuikTrip Center's ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds, the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals kicks off Tuesday night, January 12, before finally culminating with Saturday night's (January 16) 50-lap championship main event. The entry list for the prestigious event is currently at 266, with a worldwide field representing 28 different states, a pair of Canadian provinces, Australia and New Zealand. Among this week's additions to the entry list is 2008 Chili Bowl champion Damion Gardner, bringing the number of past event winners looking for more Chili Bowl glory to eight. (PR)
1-1-2010
Chili Bowl Qualifying Nights set; 252 entries received: You can feel it in the air. No, not that chill that's settling in over much of the country. Rather, it's the anticipation; mounting as the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals draws ever closer with each passing day.
And with 252 entries from 27 different states as well as Australia, New Zealand and Canada making final preparations for the annual trek to the Tulsa State Fairgrounds' QuikTrip Center, the qualifying night assignments for the January 12-16, 2010, event atop the Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval have been determined.
The stellar field, including seven past Chili Bowl champions and a multitude of 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 16, 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event with the balance of Saturday's Rockstar Energy Drink feature lineups determined by qualifying night finishing positions.
Entry Updates:
Dustin Morgan has reportedly been announced as the driver of the Triple Crown Motorsports No. 1x entry, which opens the seat of the Ark Wrecking No. 93.
Also today, the fifth and final Loyet Motorsports entry was filled with Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters contender Tim Crawley of Benton, AR. With a sweep of the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series' Rock 'N Roll 50 at Riverside Speedway among his 16 feature wins in 2009, Crawley will be teamed with Brad Loyet, Jesse Hockett, Casey Shuman and Danny Lasoski in the orange No. 05 Midgets.
A glance at each night's qualifying lineups is as follows:
Tuesday, January 12 – Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Wingless Sprint Car aces Dave Darland and Jon Stanbrough, winger Danny Lasoski and Midget masters Bobby East and Steve Buckwalter will be among those moving the dirt on Warren CAT Qualifying Night. Tyler Walker and Kiwi shoe Michael Pickens make much anticipated returns to the Chili Bowl while Broken Arrow's Brady Bacon kicks off his bid to keep the Golden Driller within the Sooner State for just the second time in event history and the first time since Andy Hillenburg pulled off the win in 1994.
In addition to 65 or so drivers officially christening the Chili Bowl clay inside the QuikTrip Center, the Vacuworx Race of Champions is also included on Tuesday night's card.
Past Feature Starters (16): Danny Lasoski (14), Dave Darland (11), Jon Stanbrough (5), Steve Buckwalter (4), Davey Ray (4), Donnie Lehmann (4), Bobby East (3), Josh Ford (3), Aaron Fiscus (2), Troy Rutherford (2), Brady Bacon (1), Ryan Durst (1), Mat Neely (1), Michael Pickens (1), Tyler Walker (1), Paul White (1).
2009 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Steve Buckwalter, Dave Darland, Bobby East, Josh Ford, Jon Stanbrough.
Pick Six - Trying to Crack Saturday's Feature: Cale Conley, Cody Darrah, Andrew Felker, Dustin Morgan, Kevin Ramey, Matt Sherrell.
Rookies (11): Harris Brooks, Lex Burritt, Zach Cougill, Sean-Mikael Dodenhoff, Matt Gilbert, Andy Huston, Eric Johnson, Ray Allen Kulhanek, Richard McCormick, Evan Pardo, Andy Shouse.
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Donnie Lehmann 21, Danny Lasoski 18, David Camfield, Jr. 15, Dave Darland 12.
Also, Tuesday's Chili Bowl Race of Champions information is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/2010roc.asp.
Wednesday, January 13 – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
A winner of Chili Bowl preliminary features over each of the past two years, 2009 USAC Midget champion Brad Kuhn takes on a full house of River Spirit Qualifying Night contenders including National Midget Driver of the Year Bryan Clauson, 2006 Chili Bowl champ Tim McCreadie, Cole Whitt, Brad Sweet, Kevin Swindell, Terry McCarl, Casey Shuman, Tim Crawley and more.
Second Annual Chili Bowl winner Scott Hatton joins the field, Gary Taylor drives for 2006 champion car owner Steve Smith, Chad Boat tries to match his father's win in 1997 and USAC/CRA champ Mike Spencer guides a Bondio machine.
Past Feature Starters (16): Scott Hatton (8), Matt Westfall (5), Brad Kuhn (4), Joe Boyles (3), Rick Hendrix (3), Tim McCreadie (3), Casey Shuman (3), Rich Camfield (2), Cole Whitt (2), Bryan Clauson (1), A.J. Fike (1), Nathan High (1), Terry McCarl (1), Kevin Swindell (1), Gary Taylor (1), Brandon Waelti (1).
2009 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Brad Kuhn, Casey Shuman, Gary Taylor, Cole Whitt.
Pick Six - Trying to Crack Saturday's Feature: Jonathan Beason, Chad Boat, Tim Crawley, Randy Hannagan, Mike Spencer, Brad Sweet.
Rookies (11): Tanner Berryhill, Nick Chivello, Shane Cockrum, Greg Edenholm, Tyler Edwards, Wes Gutierrez, Andrew Hannula, Pat Schudy, Forrest Slater, Jeff Stasa, Dusty Zomer.
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Rich Camfield 19, Steve Newman 18, Scott Hatton 17, Joe Boyles 11, A.J. Fike 11, Rick Hendrix 11, Nick O'Neal 11, Matt Westfall 11.
Perfect on his way to an unprecedented fifth Golden Driller last year, Sammy Swindell kicks off his bid to become the first repeat winner in event history on Thursday's Bully Dog Qualifying Night, taking on a field of contenders that includes 2005 Chili Bowl champ Tracy Hines, NASCAR sensation Kasey Kahne, NASCAR Nationwide star Jason Leffler, Darren Hagen, Shane Cottle, Jesse Hockett, Wayne Johnson and more.
Garrett Hansen takes the wheel of three-time car champion car owner Andy Bondio's familiar No. 47, 2001 Chili Bowl king Jay Drake wheels one of the Kruseman entries, P.J. Jones tries to put one of three Steve Lewis entries in the Saturday finale and Thomas Meseraull tries to crack the field for a second year in a row.
Past Feature Starters (16): Sammy Swindell (16), Tracy Hines (11), Jason Leffler (10), Steve Knepper (9), Jay Drake (7), Shane Cottle (6), P.J. Jones (6), Kasey Kahne (5), Garrett Hansen (2), Jesse Hockett (2), Wayne Johnson (2), David Gough (1), Jonathan Hendrick (1), Shane Hollingsworth (1), Thomas Meseraull (1), Johnny Rodriguez (1).
2009 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Shane Cottle, Tracy Hines, Jesse Hockett, Thomas Meseraull, Sammy Swindell.
Pick Six - Trying to Crack Saturday's Feature: Caleb Armstrong, Henry Clarke, Darren Hagen, Kyle Larson, Billy Pauch, Jr., Josh Pelkey.
Rookies (11): Riley Adair, Chris Coker, Ronnie Gardner, Michael Koontz, Toni Lutar, Brad Mosen, Chad Pitts, Billy Puterbaugh, Jr., Cole Smith, Patrick Stasa, Tanner Swanson.
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Steve Knepper 19, Sammy Swindell 19, Tracy Hines 13, Jason Leffler 13, Jay Drake 12, P.J. Jones 12, Johnny Murdock 12, Shane Cottle 10.
Friday, January 15 – E3 Spark Plugs Qualifying Night
Two-time Chili Bowl champ Cory Kruseman tries to ignite a third Chili Bowl victory charge aboard one of his own entries on E3 Spark Plugs Qualifying Night. "The Kruser" will have his hand full with Jerry Coons, Jr., who rounds out a stellar Wilke Pak contingent, winged Sprint Car aces Joey Saldana, Jason Meyers and Daryn Pittman, three-time USAC Sprint Car champ Levi Jones and Brad Loyet, who rounds out a Loyet team that combined for 69 feature wins over the course of 2009.
Past Feature Starters (16): Jerry Coons, Jr. (10), Cory Kruseman (8), Tony Elliott (4), Johnny Heydenreich (3), Bud Kaeding (3), Bubba Altig (2), Don Droud, Jr. (2), Mike Hess (2), Levi Jones (2), Daryn Pittman (2), Chris Windom (2), Josh Wise (2), Brad Loyet (1), Jason Meyers (1), Bobby Michnowicz (1), Danny Stratton (1).
2009 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Jerry Coons, Jr., Levi Jones, Brad Loyet, Daryn Pittman, Chris Windom.
Pick Six - Trying to Crack Saturday's Feature: Dakoda Armstrong, Nick Knepper, Matt Mitchell, Joey Saldana, Hunter Schuerenberg, Tim Siner.
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Johnny Heydenreich 18, Jackie Burke 12, Jerry Coons, Jr. 12, Tony Elliott 12, Cory Kruseman 12, Mike Hess 11, Tim Siner 11.
12-24-09
Chili Bowl Race of Champions field is set: In just three short weeks, the dirt will be flying inside the Tulsa State Fairgrounds' QuikTrip Center when the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals fires off at Tulsa Expo Raceway.
On Tuesday night, January 12, the first of four Qualifying nights gets under way with one-quarter of the 250-plus entries battling it out to determine where they'll line up in the Saturday, January 16, championship feature events.
There will be an added attraction on that Tuesday night card as well, as the Second Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions simply adds to a full card of racing action that includes heat races, qualifying races, "C" Mains, "B" Mains and an "A" Main.
Fifteen drivers have been tabbed to compete in the Vacuworx Race of Champions, a 20-lap affair that offers up $2,500 to the winner and a minimum of $300 to each starter.
Among those slated for the Vacuworx Race of Champions are seven drivers that have captured the Golden Driller in the past, another four drivers that are piloting entries fielded by past winning car owners and another four at-large berths.
The Second Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions field will include the following:
39b Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN) – 2009 National Midget Driver of the Year
67k Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA) – Past USAC Midget champion, two-time Belleville Midget Nationals winner, current NASCAR Sprint Cup contender
05 Brad Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO) – Posted 21 Midget feature wins in 2009, the most in a single season since Billy Boat captured 21 wins in 1995.
Should Damion Gardner or any other past Chili Bowl winner secure a ride for the upcoming 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, they will be added to the Vacuworx International Race of Champions field as well.
The starting grid for the Second Annual Vacuworx Race of Champions will be determined by the fans. Some lucky fans will be plucked from the massive Tuesday night crowd to select from some randomly marked Lucas Oil Products, in effect drawing for the starting position of the driver they've been paired with.
12-21-09
Chili Bowl entry count up to 249: Less than a week ago, the floor of the QuikTrip Center was bare. Now, several hundreds of loads of clay and a few feverish days of work later, a racetrack occupies that previously empty space. Aside from a few assorted odds and ends, the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds QuikTrip Center is race-ready, with the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals set to kick off in just three weeks. Thus far, 249 entries from 27 different states as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand have been submitted for the event, which is set for January 12-16, 2010. After initial preparations, the first loads of clay were hauled into the QuikTrip Center last Tuesday, December 15. With favorable weather conditions, all the clay was hauled into the building in just a couple of day's time with the track close to completion over the weekend. "The dirt came in as well as it ever has," commented event co-promoter Emmett Hahn. "This could be the best racetrack we've had in some time." The Tulsa Expo Raceway clay will get put to the test once prior to the Chili Bowl with the 25th Annual Tulsa Shootout on December 31, January 1 and January 2. The Tulsa Shootout features a mix of Micro Sprint Cars, Karts and Quads, with approximately 800 entries submitted thus far. Kevin Bayer, Gary Taylor and Riley Adair, all of whom scored Tulsa Shootout triumphs in the Micro ranks last year, are among those slated to compete in both upcoming events. Adair, who bested the Non-Wing Micro Sprint Car ranks at last year's Tulsa Shootout, is among the Chili Bowl rookie crop that currently stands at 40 contenders. Taylor, who topped the "A" Class Micro Sprints at last year's Tulsa Shootout, teams with 2006 Chili Bowl champion car owner Steve Smith in his bid for a second consecutive Chili Bowl championship main event start. Also among the latest entries is 1988 Chili Bowl champion Scott Hatton, bringing the number of past winners entered in this year's event to seven. Other past winners include five-time and defending Chili Bowl king Sammy Swindell, two-time winner Cory Kruseman, Tim McCreadie, Tracy Hines, Jay Drake and Johnny Heydenreich. (PR)
12-16-09
Elite Racing's Jason Meyers to Race at 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals: World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series driver Jason Meyers announced today that he has signed with renowned car owner Steve Lewis to race the no.9 (9J) Midget entry in the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. The no. 9, owned by Steve Lewis, with Jason Meyers piloting is scheduled to compete Friday night at the Midget Nationals which will take place on January 12-16, 2010 in Tulsa, Okla., at the Tulsa Expo Raceway. "I know that I'm climbing into a very competitive Midget based on Steve Lewis' on-track performance and past history," said Meyers, a 30-year-old native of Clovis, Calif. "Steve has a great reputation in the sport and has had a lot of amazing drivers in his past racing experience (NASCAR drivers -Tony Stewart and Jason Leffler) - I have big shoes to fill." Meyers brings the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series experience to Steve Lewis, recently finishing second in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series point standings and with 10 wins during the 2009 season. The four time Chili Bowl veteran (2003, 2006, 2008 and 2009) has quickly rose through the seasoned Midget veterans after getting his start in 2003 with his first Chili Bowl appearance, which included the highlight of finishing 6th in the "A" main. Meyers last raced in the Chili Bowl in 2009 finishing 18th in the "C" main after battling for position with NASCAR's Kasey Kahne. Joining Meyers and Lewis at the Chili Bowl will be accomplished mechanics Rusty Kunz and Kelly Drake to crew the car. Lewis brings significant experience to the no. 9, having competed in the inaugural edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals in 1987 as a driver. Sponsors on the no. 9 machine are Kwik Kar of Tulsa owned by Fred Smith, W.N. Couch, Inc owned by Art Couch, and GLR Investments. Crew member Rusty Kunz added when asked about Meyers joining the team for the Chili Bowl, "We're capable of winning. Jason is not only going to be able to make the race, but to win it. He is a promising driver with a world of talent and we know who the good drivers are. I am convinced that he will be a big part of our success that weekend." (PR)
12-11-09
The latest Chili Bowl entries: "I'm bringing five cars to the Chili Bowl and I want to see all five in the Saturday night feature, " Loyet Motorsports ringleader Joe Loyet explains, likely echoing the sentiments similar to a number of the other super-teams that are gearing up for the upcoming 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. Loyet is now one driver closer to filling out his stable of entries after appointing Arizona native Casey Shuman to the No. 05s entry, joining fellow Loyet Motorsports stablemates Brad Loyet, Jesse Hockett and Danny Lasoski. With several other entries filed over the past two days, the entry count has climbed to 148 for the event slated for January 12-16, 2010 at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway. One of several "super-teams" among the field of entries, the Loyet camp placed three entries in last year's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event, tops among any other teams. Loyet and Hockett return to the familiar orange No. 05 machines this year, with Lasoski trying for his 15th career Chili Bowl main event after a three-year dry spell. Shuman fills the fourth car, with the fifth driver still to be announced. Shuman, who has made the Chili Bowl finale on three occasions including an eleventh-place showing last year, will try to put another No. 05 among the feature field next month. "This equipment is as good as anything I've ever driven, if not better. Now it's just up to me to get the job done." While Show-Me Staters Hockett and Loyet made last year's feature cut in Loyet Motorsports entries, the third "A" Main Loyet rep from 2009 has shifted over to the Keith Kunz Motorsports stable. Indiana's Jon Stanbrough, who made his fifth consecutive Chili Bowl main event last year carrying the Loyet colors, will pilot one of six Kunz Motorsports entries this time around with fellow Kunz entries including Cole Whitt, Henry Clarke, Chris Windom and another pair of drivers yet to be announced. Scott Benic's 2B Racing team matches Kunz in the quantity department with six entries headed up by USAC champions Levi Jones (Sprint Car) and Brad Kuhn (Midget) along with top finishing 2009 Chili Bowl rookie Shane Hmiel, Cale Conley, Canadian Glenn Styres and another driver to be determined. Kruseman Motorsports is next on the super-team list with five entries including past Chili Bowl champions Cory Kruseman and Jay Drake along with young shoe Austin Mero and another pair of drivers to be determined. Wilke Pak Motorsports boasts a stout lineup of 2005 Chili Bowl champion Tracy Hines, 2006 winner Tim McCreadie and Triple Crown champions Jerry Coons, Jr., and Dave Darland, a fearsome foursome that has combined for 42 career Chili Bowl championship feature starts. Donnie Lehmann once again fields four entries, while the current RFMS stable of Darren Hagen, A.J. Fike and Casey Riggs is expected to swell to four by week's end. Several three-car teams fill the field as well including the Kasey Kahne Racing trio (Kasey Kahne, Brad Sweet and Joey Saldana), the Corey Tucker Racing-BCI team (Bryan Clauson and two drivers to be determined), the Kenny Brown Racing team (Josh Wise, Randy Hannagan and Austin Brown) and the newly entered Nine Racing team (Jason Meyers, P.J. Jones and Tanner Mullens). Casey Shuman was one of five entries filed today that carry past Chili Bowl championship feature experience, with others including Wayne Johnson, Danny Stratton, Paul White and 1990 Chili Bowl champion Johnny Heydenreich. Also among today's entries is young gun Chad Boat, son of 1997 Chili Bowl winner Billy Boat. A likely candidate to crack the Chili Bowl championship feature field for the first time, an Indiana Sprint Week score at Kokomo was among the younger Boat's four feature wins in 2009. The current list of entries for the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals is available at www.chilibowl.com/2010chilibowlentries.asp. Driver entry is just $150 if filed by December 15. Entries filed after the pre-entry deadline are $200. (PR)
12-6-09
Kruseman and Bondio to Field Separate Chili Bowl Entries: It has ranked as one of the most successful owner-driver combinations in Chili Bowl history. Teamed for eleven of the past twelve editions of the prestigious event that takes place atop the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval, the duo has come away with the coveted Golden Driller trophy on two occasions and recorded several other podium finishes. But, when the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals takes place on January 12-16, 2010, things will look a little different, as that team won't be intact any more. For the first time since 2001 and just the second time since 1997, Ventura, California's Cory Kruseman won't be at the wheel of one of the unique Andy Bondio No. 47 entries. Bondio, who earned the first of three Golden Drillers as a car owner when Lealand McSpadden won the Chili Bowl in 1991, will still field a pair of entries for this year's Chili Bowl. Cali shoe Garrett Hansen, who made the Chili Bowl championship feature cut in both 2006 and 2007, will fill the seat of the primary Bondio entry with the second driver yet to be determined. Kruseman will be in the house as well, anchoring his own super-team of five entries that also includes 2001 Chili Bowl champion Jay Drake. Kruseman and Bondio first joined forces at the Chili Bowl in 1998. A runner-up finish the following year kicked off a remarkable run of six podium finishes in seven tries, including victories in 2000 and 2004. That one time outside the top three was a 13th place finish in 2003 in which what appeared to be a sure victory came up just five laps short due to a reported dead battery, although some speculate to this day that the more likely culprit was a depleted fuel cell. A year after the duo's second win, Bondio pushed the envelope of innovation when he showed up in Tulsa with a motorcycle tire mounted on the left front of the Kruseman-appointed Midget. "The Kruser" responded with preliminary feature wins in both 2005 and 2006, finishing second and third, respectively, in the Saturday night finales. That third-place run in 2006 ultimately proved to be the last taste of Chili Bowl success for the Bondio-Kruseman combination, as the pair has missed the championship feature cut over the past three renditions of the Chili Bowl. This year, Bondio is set to try his luck with USAC Western States Midget champion Hansen, who drove Bondio's No. 47 entry to five USAC Western States wins in 2009 while also knocking off a pair of Sprint Car feature wins. Hansen also ranked third in USAC/CRA Sprint Car points. Staying busy with his Ventura-based Sprint Car and Midget Driving School, Kruseman still mixed in a full slate of events with three Sprint Car feature wins and a Midget score over the course of 2009. Kruseman will be one of at least five past winners among this year's Chili Bowl field, with other past event champions expected to include defending race winner Sammy Swindell, Tim McCreadie, Tracy Hines and Jay Drake. Other past winners that are likely contenders include Damion Gardner and Jon Heydenreich. Swindell bested a Chili Bowl record 281 competitors in January of 2009 for an unprecedented fifth Chili Bowl win. Those past winners along with several other selected drivers will compete in the Tuesday night, January 12, Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions, an added element to the Warren CAT Qualifying night slate of events that kicks off five full nights of competition. The four qualifying nights' feature finishes will determine the lineups for Saturday's championship slate of feature events. PR)
12-2-09
24th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals Just Around the Corner: December. Temperatures are dipping and the trees are bare in most parts of the nation. Worse yet, at least for those many afflicted with that incurable passion for auto racing, the soothing sounds of radically souped-up engines screaming beyond comprehensible rev limits are few and far between, virtually silent for the time being in anticipation of the eventual whoosh of Santa's reindeer-powered sleigh. There is an upside to the temporary silence of dirt tracks around the country though, as the Holiday season doesn't truly conclude until the final checkered flag has flown upon the best of America's Bowl events. It means that the premier auto racing event of the year, Tulsa, Oklahoma's Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, is little more than a month away. Closing in on that quarter of a century mark, the 24th edition of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is slated for January 12-16, 2010, at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds. A tradition that started humbly enough as a two-day show that attracted 52 competitors and perhaps a handful or two more than 52 spectators in 1987 has evolved, if not mushroomed, into a worldwide showcase event that draws nearly 300 competitors and packs the spacious QuikTrip Center full of frenzied fans from around the world for five straight nights after a Monday afternoon practice session that whets the appetites of the most dedicated Chili Bowlers. Competing in the ranks of the mighty Midget race cars atop the ¼-mile clay oval annually are drivers from all variety of motorsports disciplines, including Sprint Cars, Midgets, Dirt Late Models, DIRT Modifieds, NHRA Drag Racing and even NASCAR. Drivers come from far and wide, comprising a truly international field that will include at least one Aussie and a pair of Kiwis from New Zealand in 2010. It annually sets up perhaps one of the most challenging, competitive events in all of sports. What other major sporting event hasn't had a back-to-back winner in its 23 previous renditions? In 23 previous editions of the Chili Bowl Nationals, snaring that coveted Golden Driller winner's trophy on back-to-back occasions has proven a difficult task. So difficult in fact, that there has not yet been a back-to-back Chili Bowl champion. That's something that Tennessee's Sammy Swindell will try to change in January. And, if anyone can pull off the repeat, Slammin' Sammy could be just the guy. After all, few can boast the past Chili Bowl success that Swindell can. Actually, nobody can, as no other driver has accumulated five Golden Drillers. After reaching the top step of the podium in 1989's Third Annual Chili Bowl, Swindell added on wins in 1992, 1996 and 1998 before waiting eleven years to add an unprecedented fifth Chili Bowl to kick off the 2009 racing season. Care for some perspective? While Sammy has five Chili Bowl wins, the only other drives to score multiple wins include NASCAR star Tony Stewart, California's Cory Kruseman and Wisconsin's Dan Boorse. And they've won it just two times apiece, with another elite dozen drivers reveling in Chili Bowl glory on one occasion. Those other twelve past Chili Bowl champions include Damion Gardner, Tim McCreadie, Tracy Hines, Jay Drake, Billy Boat, Donnie Beechler, Andy Hillenburg, Dave Blaney, Lealand McSpadden, Jon Heydenreich, Scott Hatton and inaugural race winner Rich Vogler. After an event record 281 competitors took part in the 2009 edition of the Chili Bowl, the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals kicks off with a Monday, January 11, practice session. Four full nights of qualifying action follow on Tuesday through Friday, January 12-15, setting the grid for the Saturday, January 16, Chili Bowl Championship feature events. While all four qualifying nights will include full cards of heat races, qualifying races and feature events, the Tuesday night, January 12, card will also include the Second Annual Chili Bowl Race of Champions. The top three finishers from the Qualifying Night features will automatically lock into the Saturday night, January 16, 50-lap Chili Bowl championship feature with the balance of Saturday's championship feature events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes. 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. Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/. (Tulsa Expo)
Vacuworx to sponsor Inaugural Chili Bowl Race of Champions: A new facet was added to the Chili Bowl Nationals in 2009 in the form of the Inaugural Chili Bowl Race of Champions. Now, with an assist from Vacuworx International, the Second Annual Chili Bowl Race of Champions will make the Tuesday, January 12, opener of the 24th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway a must-see event for any race fan. Vacuworx International, a Tulsa-based world leader in vacuum lifting for field applications, has signed on as title sponsor for the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, an invitational race that pits past race winners and other top perennial event contenders. Headquartered in Tulsa, OK, Vacuworx International is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Vacuworx is the world leader in vacuum lifting for field applications and the originator of this product. The Vacuworx lifting system is a self contained vacuum lifter that attaches to a host of machines such as excavators, cranes, wheel loaders, and fork lifts just to name a few. It is controlled by the equipment operator remotely from the safety of the host machine, eliminating the need for any additional personnel or placing anyone in harm's way. Companies are reporting increases of seven to 12 times faster than traditional material handling methods by using the Vacuworx system and achieving this with less personnel and no damage to the material or any type of coating. Additional information regarding Vacuworx is available at www.vacuworx.com.
Oklahoma Race Connect looks to provide Oklahoma race fans with more
information then ever. On their favorite drivers and teams,
in addition to expand Oklahoma motor sports presence.
This is ORC
Welcome to Oklahoma Race Connect beta version. This is simply
a beta version of things to come, as we work out the errors. And
while
drivers, teams and sponsors join Oklahoma Race Connect, ORC launches March '10.
