#24 - Rick Eckert (York, PA)

First Chili Bowl Appearance

Among the nation's top Dirt Late Model stars, Rick Eckert of York, PA, is set to make his first O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals start in January 2004.

Eckert topped the UDTRA (now XTREME Dirt Car Series) point charts in both 2001 and 2002.  Eckert's bid to make it three series championships in a row came up a bit short, as he finished fourth in XTREME points in 2003.

Eckert has posted 20 feature victories in XTREME/UDTRA action over the past five seasons, including three triumphs in 2003.  This year's victories included a pair of wins at East Bay Raceway along with a win at Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, SD.

Other 2003 victories came at Challenger Raceway, Hagerstown and a Renegade Dirt Car victory at Thunder Valley Speedway.

Eckert will make his Midget racing debut at the 18th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals aboard one of Donnie Lehmann's entries.

Car Owner:  Lehmann Racing

Chassis:  Stealth

Engine:  Fontana

Sponsors:  Biscotti's Restaurant, Rocket Chassis, AllTel 100, Ferguson Pontiac & GMC, Fenton Transmissions, Lehmann Racing Products

Photo:  Rick Eckert is a two-time UDTRA (now XTREME Dirt Car Series) champion.