Lucas
Oil Chili Bowl Entry Count Climbs to 249!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla.
(December 21, 2009) – 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.
The current list of entries for the 24th
Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals is
available at www.chilibowl.com/2010chilibowlentries.asp.
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Quick Facts:
What: 24th
Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals
Where: Tulsa
Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside
the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State
Fairgrounds
When:
January 12-16, 2010
Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus
Vacuworx Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying
Night
Thursday – Bully Dog Qualifying Night
Friday – E3 Spark Plugs Qualifying Night
Saturday – Rockstar Energy Drink Championship
Feature Events
Past Winners:
Sammy Swindell (2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989),
Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007
and 2002), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy
Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2004 and
2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Jay
Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie
Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994),
Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden
(1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott
Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Trade Show:
Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl
Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which
is open to the public each day (Tuesday
through Saturday) free of charge.
All variety of racing products,
apparel and more is available with well
over 100 different vendors.
The Trade Show covers approximately
20,000 square feet.
Tickets: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday
of the 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.
Chili Bowl on TV: Portions of the 24th Annual Lucas Oil
Chili Bowl Midget Nationals will be
broadcast on SPEED TV on a tape-delayed
basis.
Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 24th
Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals, including official entry lists,
race results and recaps, is available
first at www.chilibowl.com.
Also, all five nights of the Chili
Bowl Nationals will be broadcast live
(audio) on www.racinboys.com.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil
Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available
at http://www.chilibowl.com/
or by calling 918-838-3777.
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