Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
By Lonnie Wheatley,
After slipping back as far as fifth for a brief moment at the race's midway point, the Tennessee shoe took to the upper reaches of the QuikTrip Center's ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval and blitzed to the head of the pack in short order, taking the lead away from Tracy Hines on the 34th circuit.
"To pull this off the way we did, to be undefeated here in every race, it was fun," Swindell commented afterward. "We had a great car and a lot of good fortune that we didn't get in trouble, and didn't tear up anything or get banged around."
Swindell survived a set of cautions in the final handful of circuits along with a foray or two above the turns one and two cushion to capture an unprecedented fifth Chili Bowl title and the coveted Golden Driller trophy that goes along with it.
Swindell was chased to the line by Hines, with Brad Kuhn making a last-corner move around Jerry Coons, Jr., to snare the show position. J.J. Yeley rounded out the top five.
The triumph, his first since reeling off four wins over the stretch from 1989 to 1998, capped an undefeated week of competition for "Slammin' Sammy" aboard the unique Esslinger-powered Venture Racing/ARIENCO/John Christner Trucking No. 1 Spike that sported an old-school appearing super modified tail tank.
Swindell opened the week with a Race of Champions victory on Tuesday and then swept Wednesday night's card with wins in heat race, qualifying race and main event competition to establish himself as a strong favorite in Saturday night's finale.
"Sometimes you can really get in trouble when you have a car that's really good," Swindell explained. "This place here is a little bit of momentum and rhythm, if I can get in that one little zone there I don't make many mistakes."
For the first half of Saturday's finale, third-starter Swindell was chasing front row starters Hines and Coons, who paced the initial 26 circuits that ran off in rapid fire fashion with the only interruption a lap 19 spin in turn four by Josh Ford.
While Coons led from the outset, Hines persistently pressured for the lead with Swindell, Kuhn and Levi Jones in pursuit. A Hines bobble exiting turn two on the tenth round briefly moved Swindell into second, only to have Hines battle back by two laps later as the leaders worked the tail of the field.
The pace continued after the lap 19 caution, with Hines taking quick advantage to take the lead by ducking underneath a Coons' push exiting turn four on the 27th lap.
Meanwhile, Swindell turned up the jets after slipping behind Kuhn and then Jones. "I tried to slow down a time or two and slowed down too much."
Stepping up the pace, Swindell quickly negated Jones' move and took to the top side of the track, blasting by Kuhn, then Coons and then Hines on successive laps to take command on the 34th circuit.
"I wanted to have a car that was good the second half, I was just waiting for everyone to get comfortable on the bottom and it left me the top open," Swindell explained. "I just caught it right at the right time, I played my cards good."
Despite narrowly missing a Donnie Ray Crawford spin on the 37th lap, surviving a perilous trip into the cushion on the 47th lap and three late cautions, Swindell raced to Roger Slack's checkered flag without challenge over the final 17 rounds.
Hines and Coons battled for runner-up honors behind the lapped cars separating them from Swindell in the final rounds, with 2005 Chili Bowl king Hines finally taking runner-up honors in Tony Stewart's Kistler-powered Chevy/Bass Pro Shops No. 21 Spike.
"Basically, we just didn't tighten the race car up enough," Hines explained afterward. "We did exactly what we wanted to do, it just wasn't enough."
Salt was added to the Coons wound when Brad Kuhn battled by in the final corner to take the show position in the Toyota-powered RW Motorsports No. 17b Beast, bettering his previous best Chili Bowl finish of fourth in 2006.
Coons settled for fourth in the Toyota-powered Wilke-PAK Motorports Speedway Motors No. 11 Spike, his best career Chili Bowl finish in a dozen tries.
J.J. Yeley rounded out the top five in Cruz Pedregon's Toyota-powered Odyssey Batteries No. 1J Spike by nipping Dave Darland at the line by inches. Darland settled for sixth, with Chris Windom charging from 23rd to seventh in his second Chili Bowl championship feature start.
Cole Whitt climbed from 17th to eighth, with Steve Buckwalter edging Brad Loyet at the line for ninth.
Loyet's tenth-place showing aboard one of three Loyet Motorsports entries in the finale was the best of a handful of drivers that made the cut for their first career Chili Bowl championship feature event including Gary Taylor (12th), Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (14th), Thomas Meseraull (16th) and Chad Kemenah (25th).
Loyet also beat teammates Jon Stanbrough (13th) and Jesse Hockett (18th) in the finale as Loyet Motorsports bested the other super-teams by landing three drivers in the main event. Tony Stewart, Wilke-PAK, Keith Kunz Motorsports, Tel-Star Communications and Daryl Saucier each had two cars make the main event.
After exiting "C" Main action, defending Chili Bowl champion Damion Gardner utilized the defending champion's provisional to start 25th and ultimately took the checkered flag in 19th.
Levi Jones held down the fifth position until jumping the turn two cushion and stalling his mount just five laps short of the checkered flag. Jones was credited with 24th after calling it a night.
NASCAR star Kasey Kahne's day was cut short when he tangled with Jason Meyers while dicing for a transfer position just three laps short of the night's first "C" Main.
The night's main event capped a full day of racing action that included 23 championship feature events that opened with Twin "L" Mains.
Cody Kershaw opened the day with a win in the first "L" Main in Chili Bowl history, with Dusty Heistand winning the second "L" Main.
Kevin Bayer won the first "K" Main and then advanced through "J" and "I" action before his day ended in an "H". Plagued by misfortune during the week, 2008 Belleville Midget Nationals champion Brad Sweet won the second "K" Main (in which Dylan Peterson took down some turn one fencing) and advanced through the second "J" before an "I" tangle doused his hopes of a significant alphabet run.
Chad DeSelle won the first "J" Main before advancing from an "I", with Brock Lemley winning the second "J".
Dave Camfield, Jr., raced past Glenn Styres on the third circuit en route to winning the first "I" Main punctuated by a wild backstretch tumble by French Grimes, while Will Pierce wired the field in the second "I".
Eventual first "H" winner Rick England took the point away from Jennifer Greenberg on the third round, while Joe Cleveland took command of the second "H" for keeps when leader Ricky Ehrgott did a not-quite-quick-enough 360-degree spin in turn four on the third lap.
A top-ten finisher last year, Brady Bacon's day opened with a hard-fought "G" Main win over "H" Main transfer Danny Stratton followed by a late charge on the top side to claim the fourth and final move-up in the first "F" Main before running out of steam in the "E". Matt Mitchell led all the way in the second "G" before mechanical woes early in the "F" ended his day.
Critter Malone aced the first "F", with Garrett Hansen matching the trick in the second "F" in front of "G" Main transfer Davey Ray, who survived a four-wide scramble into the final pair of corners to move on from his "G".
Chad Boat sailed to the first "E" Main win, with Jeff Bland, Jr., victorious in the second "E" Main.
Jason Meyers fought off Matt Streeter to win the first "D" Main, while Cole Carter made a late move around Billy Wease to win the second "D" as Hunter Schuerenberg shot from 14th to third.
Jason Leffler beat Kevin Swindell to the line in the first "C" Main, with Mat Neely taking the checkered flag in a second "C" that concluded with the day's nastiest flip as Frank Polimeda biked it and then barrel rolled a half-dozen times down the frontstretch in a valiant effort gone bad to take the sixth and final transfer position from Bud Kaeding.
Josh Ford won the first "B" Main to make the grade for his second consecutive Chili Bowl main event as Windom nipped Brent Beauchamp by just 0.011-seconds for the sixth and final transfer position. Danny Lasoski was battling for a transfer position until flipping after contact with Bryan Clauson, who also incurred damage in the scrum.
Casey Shuman won the second "B" Main, with Shane Hmiel ranking as this year's top finishing Chili Bowl rookie when he missed the feature cut by just one position in seventh. Darren Hagen had climbed from 12th to the final transfer in sixth only to be forced to the infield four laps shy of the checkered flag in the 20-lapper.
Saturday's 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire Championship Feature Results
L Mains (Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding K Main)
L Main 1: 1. #6Z Cody Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 2. #87C Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 3. #27A Brent Swift, Norman, OK DNS - #1B Scott Crystal, Overland Park, KS; #0C Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; #5T Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK; #63R Rob Parish, Knightstown, IN; #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA
L Main 2: 1. #6D Dusty Heistand, Manheim, PA; 2. #3 Julee Jamison, Littleton, CO; 3. #39J Justin Grosz, Hawley, PA; 4. #6X #Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 5. #05X Channing Zierolf, Houma, LA; DNS - #92M Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; #1M Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN
K Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding J Main)
K Main 1: 1. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #21Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 3. #89 Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 4. #6Z Cody Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 5. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, TX; 6. #27A Brent Swift, Norman, OK; 7. #4R Robby Ross, St. Joseph, MO; 8. #48 Lee Little, Mustang, OK; 9. #87C Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 10. #3A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 11. #61A Kevin Battles, Collinsville, OK; 12. #76K Frank Ikerd, Loma, Linda, MO; 13. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; DNS - #0J Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; #22AZ Stevie Sussex, Buckeye, AZ
K Main 2: 1. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 2. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 3. #21J John Lowrey, Bakersfield, CA; 4. #6D Dusty Heistand, Sioux Falls, SD; 5. #10C Scott Allen, Kansas City, KS; 6. #33 Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; 7. #39J Justin Grosz, Hawley, PA; 8. #3 Julee Jamison, Littleton, CO; 9. #92R Jake Rosario, Guthrie, OK; 10. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 11. #1K Ron Kuhn, Lees Summit, MO; 12. #7J Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 13. #35P Tim Spurgeon, San Ramon, CA; 14. #6X Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; DNS ? #3F Ned Fry, West Burlington, IA; #11B Scott Weir, Marion, IN
J Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding I Main)
J Main 1: 1. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 2. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #5M Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek, WI; 4. #31X Scott Nail, Visalia, CA; 5. #89 Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 6. #6Z Cody Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 7. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO: 8. #63N Rex Norris, Spiceland, IN; 9. #21Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 10. #31L Chuck Knight, Fort Smith, AR; 11. #77 Jimmy Winkler, Parkville, MO; 12. #50T Tom Everhart, El Cajon, CA; 13. #31V Victor Davis, Simi Valley, CA; 14. #5A Peter Palazzolo, Pacific, MO; DNS - #3W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; #25Z Chris Zrinski, Forked River, NJ
J Main 2: 1. #10B Brock Lemley, Bellingham, WA; 2. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, OK: 3. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 4. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 5. #51S Kiley Fellars, Buckeye, AZ; 6. #6D Dusty Heistand, Sioux Falls, SD; 7. #9M Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX; 8. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 9. #20B Carey Becker, Reading, PA; 10. #78C Tony Roland, Valparaiso, IN; 11. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX; 12. #21J John Lowrey, Bakersfield, CA; 13. #45 Aaron Kirk, Conroe, TX DNS - #21K Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, IN; #07 Billy Mentgen, Jamestown, IN, #11XC Steve Newman, Breckenridge, CO
I Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding H Main)
I Main 1: 1. #86C Dave Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 2. #34 Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 3. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 4. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 5. #5M Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek, WI; 6. #73T Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 7. #31X Scott Nail, Visalia, CA; 8. #99J Robby Josett, Agua Dulce, CA; 9. #0 Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 10. #86J Jim Donley, Yuma, AZ; 11. #50 Ted Kirkpatrick, Waterloo, IL; 12. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 13. #91 Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 14. #67X Landon Simon, Tipp City, OH; 15. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS DNS - #2X Doug Day, Winder, GA
I Main 2: #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 2. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 3. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, OK; 4. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 5. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK: 6. #37W Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 7. #17P Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN; 8. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 9. #98 Curtis Bailey, Bartlesville, OK; 10. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 11. #22S Brandon Spithaler, Evans City, PA; 12. #10V Viktor Sinzig, Cupertino, CA; 13. #10B Brock Lemley, Bellingham, WA; 14. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 15. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; DNS - #6E Rafe Essary, Fayetteville, AR
H Main (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding G Main)
H Main 1: #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 2. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #36F Frank Flud, Pryor, OK; 4. #34 Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK: 5. #25K Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz, CA; 6. #07X Jennifer Greenberg, Albuquerque, NM; 7. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 8. #17M Marc Robe, Wichita, KS; 9. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 10. #27C Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 11. #10X Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 12. #74 Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon, CA; 13. #4F Chad Frewaldt, Kansas City, KS; 14. #86C Dave Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 15. #17BB Brent Burdette, Sunman, IN; 16. #60 Eric Sandage, Alexander, AR
H Main 2: 1. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 2. #14K Henry Clarke, Villa Park, CA; 3. #88W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 4. #24 #Nick Foster Jr., San Jose, CA; 5. #8R Ricky Ehrgott, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #31D David Budres, Beloit, WI; 7. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, OK; 8. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 9. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 10. #6J Justin Barger, Montrose, NY; 11. #27D Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 12. #73M Tanner Mullens, Andale, KS; 13. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 14. #D1 Barry Lamb, Moran, KS; 15. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK DNS ? Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY
G Main (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding F Main)
G Main 1: 1. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #04 Cap Henry, Bellevue, OH; 4. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 5. #34 Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 6. #24C Casey Riggs, Shelbyville, IN; 7. #70X Andrew Elson, Carmel, IN; 8. #36F Frank Flud, Pryor, OK; 9. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 10. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 11. #87 Danny Faria Jr., Tipton, CA; 12. #71T Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; 13. #8E Murray Erickson, Odessa, TX; 14. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 15. #10E Eli Deshaies, N. Kingstown, RI; DNS - #85B Jerry Bell Jr., Sachse, TX
G Main 2: 1. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 2. #7S Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 3. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 4. #75R Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 5. #1AZ Jeff Perry, Buckeye, AZ; 6. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 7. #24 Nick Foster Jr., San Jose, CA; 8. #57 Kevin Studley, Plainfield, IN; 9. #88W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 10. #14K Henry Clarke, Villa Park, CA; 11. #2D Steven Davis, Norco, CA; 12. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 13. #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK; 14. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 15. #23F J.T. Stapp, Greensburg, IN; DNS - #7C Chris Burns, Bethany, OK
F Main (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding E Main)
F Main 1: 1. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 2. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 3. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 4. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #27 Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 7. #401 Daniel Adler, E. Carondolet, IL; 8. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 9. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 10. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 11. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ; 12. #81X Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 13. #5K Jeff Wimmenauer, Indianapolis, IN; 14. #57X Jason Holt, Brownsville, IN; 15. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 16. #04 Cap Henry, Bellevue, OH
F Main 2: 1. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 2. #75R Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 3. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 4. #12Z Drew Heistand, Wrightsville, PA; 5. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 6. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 7. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 8. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 9. #2M Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 10. #47X Jerome Rodela, El Monte, CA; 11. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 12. #39B Billy Wilburn, Mooresville, NC; 13. #7S Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 14. #25A Aaron Ott, York Springs, PA; 15. #51G P.J. Gargiulo, Morton, PA; 16. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA
E Main (10 Laps - Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding D Main)
E Main 1: 1. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 2. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 3. #49P Billy Pauch, Frenchtown, NJ; 4. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 5. #44P P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 6. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #71K Cale Conley, Vienna, WV; 8. #81 Doug Kammerzell, Arlington, WA; 9. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 10. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 11. #29 Nick Smith, Broken Arrow, OK; 12. #18 Donnie Trent, Honey Brook, PA; 13. #02 Matthew Rossi, Peoria, AZ; 14. #7E Blake Miller, Yorba Linda, CA; 15. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 16. #55T Tony Everhart, El Cajon, CA
E Main 2: 1. #37J Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN; 2. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 4. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 5. #9JR Derek Hagar, Marion, AR; 6. #75R Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL: 7. #7A Bubba Altig, Marengo, IL: 8. #11S Chris Sheil, Englewood, CO; 9. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 10. #99K Kevin Kierce, Reseda, CA; 11. #12Z Drew Heistand, Wrightsville, PA; 12. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 13. #81K Rob Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 14. #12H Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, CA; 15. #7G Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 16. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL
D Main (15 Laps - Top 6 transfer to back of corresponding C Main)
D Main 1: 1. #14J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 2. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 3. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 4. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 5. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 6. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 7. #49P Billy Pauch, Frenchtown, NJ; 8. #35R Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, OK; 9. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 10. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #89C Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 12. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 13. #8G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 14. #31B Bruce Douglass, Ventura, CA; 15. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 16. #10R Rob Russell, Fremont, CA; 17. #2B Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; DNS ? Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN
D Main 2: 1. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 3. #39H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 4. #22 Brian Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 5. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK: 6. #67S Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 7. #87X Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 8. #97J Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 9. #7R Keith Rauch, Thornton, CO; 10. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 12. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK: 13. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 14. #37J Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN; 15. #4M Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 16. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 17. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 18. #7X Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK
C Mains (15 Laps - Top 6 to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #38 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 2. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 3. #47B Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 4. #75W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 5. #D33 Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 6. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 7. #21X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL: 8. #82 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 9. #17K Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 10. #44 Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 11. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 12. #24D Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 13. #7R Paul McMahan, Nashville, TN; 14. #67K Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 15. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 16. #7B Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 17. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 18. #14J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 19. #2S Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 20. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA
C Main 2: 1. #73X Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 2. #87J Johnny Rodriguez, Galt, CA; 3. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL: 4. #56 Shane Hmiel, Huntersville, NC; 5. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 6. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 7. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 8. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 9. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 10. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 11. #8J Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, OH; 12. #55C Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 13. #39H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 14. #22 Brian Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 15. #15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 16. #67S Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 17. 35X Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 18. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 19. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 20. #73W Austen Wheatley, Lake Stevens, WA
B Mains (20 Laps - Top 6 in each advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 2. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 3. #1S Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 4. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 6. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 7. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 8. #67 Jay Drake, Brownsburg, IN; 9. #1DM Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 10. #75W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 11. #47B Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 12. #71S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 13. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 14. #D33 Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 15. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 16. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 17. #17F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 18. #71X Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 19. #38 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; DNS - #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK
B Main 2: 1. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 2. #21P Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 3. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 4. #2A Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 5. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 6. #55 Donnie Crawford, Tulsa, OK; 7. #56 Shane Hmiel, Huntersville, NC; 8. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 9. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL: 10. #11T Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 11. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 12. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 13. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 14. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 15. #73X Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 16. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 17. #32 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 18. #87J Johnny Rodriguez, Galt, CA; 19. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 20. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA
A Main (50 laps)
1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #21 Tracy Hines, Greenfield, IN; 3. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 4. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 5. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 7. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 8. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 9. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 10. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 11. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 12. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 13. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 14. #132 Ricky Stenhouse, Olive Branch, MS; 15. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 16. #2A Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 17. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Tulsa, OK; 18. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 19. #2S Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 20. #21P Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 21. #86 Justin Allgaier, Cornelius, NC; 22. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 23. #1S Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 24. #20 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 25. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH
It's set to happen though on Saturday, as a record 281 competitors from throughout the nation and beyond will sling the clay at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway in pursuit of the coveted Golden Driller trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire.
It has taken four full nights of qualifying competition to set Saturday's championship feature grid. And those four nights included a whopping total of 72 races amounting to 764 hair-raising laps to set the stage for Saturday's finale.
Brad Kuhn, Sammy Swindell, Tracy Hines and Jerry Coons, Jr., each collected feature wins to earn starting positions among the front two rows of Saturday night's 50-lap finale, with Hines drawing the pole position.
While Hines hopes to join the elite ranks of multi-time Chili Bowl winners that includes only Sammy Swindell, Tony Stewart, Cory Kruseman and Dan Boorse, Friday night winner Coons takes aim on his first Golden Driller.
Four-time Chili Bowl king Swindell grids the feature field inside the second row with 50 perilous laps standing between himself and a perfect Chili Bowl experience after winning Tuesday's Race of Champions and then sweeping Wednesday night's card.
Tuesday night feature winner Brad Kuhn starts outside the second row as he tries for his first Chili Bowl triumph.
The second and third place finishers from each night drew for their starting positions in Saturday's "A" Main, with each winner's draw dictating the balance of Saturday's feature lineups in which the remaining 269 racers try to fill the 12 remaining feature slots.
Defending race winner Damion Gardner begins his day inside row four of the First "C" Main in his bid to become the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl Nationals history.
Those locked into the main event, and their Chili Bowl backgrounds, include:
Tracy Hines (New Castle, IN) - The 2005 Chili Bowl champ makes his 11th championship finale in 13 attempts and has finished among the top ten over each of the past five years.
Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ) - Makes his 10th championship start in 12 tries, a seventh-place finish in 1999 is the best of two top-tens for the now two-time Chili Bowl prelim winner.
Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN) - The most decorated in Chili Bowl history with four wins and eleven top-tens, although his last win came in 1998 and his last top-ten was a third-place showing in 2001. Makes an event record 16th championship feature start in 19 tries as the likely odds-on favorite after dominant performances earlier in the week.
Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN) - A preliminary feature winner for the second year in a row is set for his fourth consecutive main event start with a drive from deep in the field to finish fourth in 2006 his most successful effort thus far.
Levi Jones (Olney, IL) - The two-time USAC Sprint Car champ is ready for his second championship final in a row in his fifth Chili Bowl try after making his way from "C" Main action to finish 11th last year.
J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ) - With no taste for alphabet soup this year, the USAC Triple Crown champ makes his sixth Chili Bowl championship start with hopes of bettering podium finishes of third in 2004 and second in 2007.
Dave Darland (Lincoln, NE) - One of three USAC Triple Crown champs to lock in along with Coons and Yeley, Darland makes his 11th main event start in eleven tries and shoots for his first Golden Driller after finishing second last year.
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Olive Branch, MS) - Missed the Tuesday night win by just a few feet, but still makes his first Chili Bowl championship feature start after some quick travels in between for NASCAR Nationwide testing.
Jon Stanbrough (Avon, IN) - Makes his fifth consecutive championship feature start after posting a top finish of fifth last year.
Justin Allgaier (Cornelius, NC) - A third-place Chili Bowl finisher two years ago, the Illinois native makes his third championship feature start after collecting ARCA/ReMax hardware in 2008.
Steve Buckwalter (Royersford, PA) - Ready for his fourth championship start in eight tries, his best finish thus far is an 11th-place run in 2007.
Brady Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO) - The 2007 POWRi Midget champion cracks the Chili Bowl championship "A" Main for the first time after narrowly missing out twice in the past three years.
Saturday's slate of Chili Bowl championship main events gets under way with the first of Twin "L" Mains at 11:45 a.m.
Saturday's 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire slate of championship feature event lineups is as follows:
A Feature (50 Laps)
21 Tracy Hines (New Castle, IN) - 11 Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ)
1 Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN) - 17b Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN)
20 Levi Jones (Olney, IL) - 1J J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ)
5 Dave Darland (Lincoln, IN) - 132 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Olive Branch, MS)
05s Jon Stanbrough (Avon, IN) - 86 Justin Allgaier (Cornelius, NC)
25 Steve Buckwalter (Royersford, PA) - O5 Brad Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO)
B Feature 1 Transfer 1 - B Feature 2 Transfer 1
B Feature 1 Transfer 2 - B Feature 2 Transfer 2
B Feature 1 Transfer 3 - B Feature 2 Transfer 3
B Feature 1 Transfer 4 - B Feature 2 Transfer 4
B Feature 1 Transfer 5 - B Feature 2 Transfer 5
B Feature 1 Transfer 6 - B Feature 2 Transfer 6
First B Feature (20 Laps - 6 Transfer)
1s Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN) - 73 Josh Ford (Oxnard, CA)
71 Cole Whitt (Alpine, CA) - 4 Bobby East (Brownsburg, IN)
112 Brent Beauchamp (Fairland, IN) - 17 Chris Windom (Canton, IL)
12 Trey Robb (Newcastle, OK) - 05L Danny Lasoski (Higginsville, MO)
05h Jesse Hockett (Warsaw, MO) - 17F Mike Goodman (Tulsa, OK)
1dm Dustin Morgan (Collinsville, OK) - 71s Mike Spencer (Temecula, CA)
67 Jay Drake (Brownsburg, IN) - 71x Gary Wright (Hooks, TX)
C Feature 1 Transfer 1 - C Feature 1 Transfer 2
C Feature 1 Transfer 3 - C Feature 1 Transfer 4
C Feature 1 Transfer 5 - C Feature 1 Transfer 6
Second B Feature (20 Laps - 6 Transfer)
21p Daryn Pittman (Owasso, OK) - 37x Casey Shuman (Tempe, AZ)
55 Donnie Ray Crawford (Tulsa, OK) - 2a Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, CA)
15 Tim Siner (Dupo, IL) - 8k Chad Kemenah (Alvada, OH)
26 Glenn Carson (Concord, CA) - 7m Kevin Ramey (Fort Worth, TX)
14w Matt Westfall (Ludlow Falls, OH) - 5* Gary Taylor (Sapulpa, OK)
12jr Nathan High (Goodyear, AZ) - 32 Darren Hagen (Riverside, CA)
7d Dakoda Armstrong (New Castle, IN) - 11T Terry McCarl (Altoona, IA)
C Feature 2 Transfer 1 - C Feature 2 Transfer 2
C Feature 2 Transfer 3 - C Feature 2 Transfer 4
C Feature 2 Transfer 5 - C Feature 2 Transfer 6
First C Feature (15 Laps - 6 Transfer)
7b Austin Brown (Millstadt, IL) - 47b Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN)
38 Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA) - 82 Mike Hess (Riverton, IL)
75w Josh Wise (Riverside, CA) - d33 Joey Moughan (Springfield, IL)
2s Damion Gardner (Pittsboro, IN) - 24d Daniel Robinson (Wayne City, IL)
21T Don Droud, Jr. (Lincoln, NE) - 21x Kevin Olson (Machesney Park, IL)
67k Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA) - 7r Paul McMahan (Nashville, TN)
44 Ryan Pace (Brownsburg, IN) - 17k Austin Mero (Kingsburg, CA)
D Feature 1 Transfer 1 - D Feature 1 Transfer 2
D Feature 1 Transfer 3 - D Feature 1 Transfer 4
D Feature 1 Transfer 5 - D Feature 1 Transfer 6
Second C Feature (15 Laps - 6 Transfer)
73x Mat Neely (Robinson, IL) - 5d Zach Daum (Pocahontas, IL)
44F Frank Polimeda (Fort Lee, NJ) - 87J Johnny Rodriguez (Glt, CA)
8J Greg Wilson (Benton Ridge, OH) - 49jr Bobby Michnowicz (Torrance, CA)
35x Scott Pierovich (Alamo, CA) - 56 Shane Hmiel (Huntersville, NC)
8x Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA) - 88 Johnathon Henry (Stockton, CA)
15h Scott Hatton (Roscoe, IL) - 73w Austen Wheatley (Lake Stevens, WA)
36 Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK) - 55c Caleb Armstrong (New Castle, IN)
D Feature 2 Transfer 1 - D Feature 2 Transfer 2
D Feature 2 Transfer 3 - D Feature 2 Transfer 4
D Feature 2 Transfer 5 - D Feature 2 Transfer 6
First D Feature (15 Laps - 6 Transfer)
14J Jason Meyers (Clovis, CA) - 78 Nick Wean (Phillipsburg, NJ)
14jr Matt Streeter (Galt, CA) - 17T Justin Grant (Ione, CA)
69 A.J. Fike (Galesburg, IL) - 31b Bruce Douglass (Ventura, CA)
47 Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA) - 39 Kevin Swindell (Germantown, TN)
8g Coleman Gulick (Binghamton, NY) - 35r Tyler Robbins (Collinsville, IL)
2b Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) - 89c Cody Darrah (Red Lion, PA)
10r Rob Russell (Fremont, CA) - 11r Ryan Cole (Porter, OK)
E Feature 1 Transfer 1 - E Feature 1 Transfer 2
E Feature 1 Transfer 3 - E Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second D Feature (15 Laps - 6 Transfer)
12w Billy Wease (Noblesville, IN) - 71r Keith Rauch (Thornton, CO)
22 Brian Camarillo (Ventura, CA) - 8 Randi Pankratz (Atascadero, CA)
007 Cole Carter (Brownsburg, IN) - 11x Ricky Williams (Clinton, OH)
7x Michelle Decker (Guthrie, OK) - 84 Joey Fabozzi (Norco, CA)
87x Rich Camfield (Decatur, IL) - 67s Brady Short (Bedford, IN)
4m Jimmy Light (Indianapolis, IN) - 35m Matt Sherrell (Owasso, OK)
97J Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA) - 39h Hunter Schuerenberg (Sikeston, MO)
E Feature 2 Transfer 1 - E Feature 2 Transfer 2
E Feature 2 Transfer 3 - E Feature 2 Transfer 4
First E Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
49p Billy Pauch, Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ) - 44p P.J. Jones (Torrance, CA)
30 Chad Boat (Phoenix, AZ) - 1c Chad McDaniel (Concordia, KS)
7e Blake Miller (Yorba Linda, CA) - 85 Shane Hollingsworth (Lafayette, IN)
71k Cale Conley (Vienna, WV) - 29 Nick Smith (Broken Arrow, OK)
18 Donnie Trent (Honey Brook, PA) - 55T Tony Everhart (El Cajon, CA)
81 Doug Kammerzell (Arlington, WA) - 02 Matthew Rossi (Peoria, AZ)
F Feature 1 Transfer 1 - F Feature 1 Transfer 2
F Feature 1 Transfer 3 - F Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second E Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
37J Jeff Bland, Jr. (Bloomington, IN) - 96 Cody Brewer (Choctaw, OK)
51J R.J. Johnson (Phoenix, AZ) - 81k Rob Kershaw (Oak Park, CA)
75 David Gough (Machesney Park, IL) - 99k Kevin Kierce (Reseda, CA)
7g Joe Boyles (Greenwood, MO) - 11s Chris Sheil (Englewood, CO)
9jr Derek Hagar (Marion, AR) - 25m Derrick Myers (Stonington, IL)
7a Bubba Altig (Marengo, IL) - 12h Rick Hendrix (Palmdale, CA)
F Feature 2 Transfer 1 - F Feature 2 Transfer 2
F Feature 2 Transfer 3 - F Feature 2 Transfer 4
First F Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
7 Critter Malone (Speedway, IN) - 1T Tony Roney (Herculaneum, MO)
11xs Donovan Peterson (Brookings, SD) - 20r Josh Richards (Shinnston, WV)
27 Ryan Kaplan (Chico, CA) - 5k Jeff Wimmenauer (Indianapolis, IN)
31 Donnie Lehmann (Springfield, IL) - 2g Terry Goodwin (Phoenix, AZ)
57x Jason Holt (Brownsville, IN) - 15n David Prickett (Fresno, CA)
401 Daniel Adler (E. Carondolet, IL) - 81x Shane Carson (Yukon, OK)
G Feature 1 Transfer 1 - G Feature 1 Transfer 2
G Feature 1 Transfer 3 - G Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second F Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
70 Garrett Hansen (Manhattan Beach, CA) - 39b Billy Wilburn (Mooresville, NC)
51 Brent Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) - 12z Drew Heistand (Wrightsville, PA)
25a Aaron Ott (York Springs, PA) - 2m Anthony Peterman (Crawfordsville, IN)
15d Andrew Deal (Caney, KS) - 1w Paul White (Temple, TX)
1d Dennis Rodriguez (Camarillo, CA) - 6r Jody Rosenboom (Rock Rapids, IA)
47x Jerome Rodela (El Monte, CA) - 51g P.J. Gargiulo (Morton, PA)
G Feature 2 Transfer 1 - G Feature 2 Transfer 2
G Feature 2 Transfer 3 - G Feature 2 Transfer 4
First G Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
11J Justin Melton (Flower Mound, TX) - O4 Cap Henry (Bellvue, OH)
99 Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) - 70x Andrew Elson (Carmel, IN)
83 Kurt Blackaby (Bentonville, AR) - 87 Danny Faria, Jr. (Tipton, CA)
24c Casey Riggs (Shelbyville, IN) - 10e Eli Deshaies (N. Kingstown, RI)
58 Cole Peard (Quincy, CA) - 71T Tim Pyle (Gresham, OR)
8e Murray Erickson (Odessa, TX) - 85b Jerry Bell (Sachse, TX)
H Feature 1 Transfer 1 - H Feature 1 Transfer 2
H Feature 1 Transfer 3 - H Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second G Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
2d Steve Davis (Norco, CA) - 37 Matt Mitchell (Yorba Linda, CA)
7s Shannon McQueen (Bakersfield, CA) - 33s Austin Smith (Chino Hills, CA)
7c Chris Burns (Bethany, OK) - 1az Jeff Perry (Buckeye, AZ)
35 Travis Berryhill (American Canyon, CA) - 75r Davey Ray (Loves Park, IL)
57 Kevin Studley (Plainfield, IN) - 23F J.T. Stapp (Greensburg, IN)
83h Jonathan Halford (Tulsa, OK) - 76 Kellen Conover (Sumner, IL)
H Feature 2 Transfer 1 - H Feature 2 Transfer 2
H Feature 2 Transfer 3 - H Feature 2 Transfer 4
First H Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
07x Jennifer Greenberg (Albuquerque, NM) - 10x Kelly Ferrell (Chaplin, CT)
12c Rick England (Wichita, KS) - 25k Eric Jacobsen (Santa Cruz, CA)
4F Chad Frewaldt (Kansas City, KS) - 17bb Brett Burdette (Sunman, IN)
74 Ernie Bartley III (El Cajon, CA) - 36F Frank Flud (Pryor, OK)
60 Eric Sandage (Alexander, AR) - 17m Marc Robe (Wichita, KS)
27c Tony Elliott (Warsaw, IN) - F5 Danny Stratton (Indianapolis, IN)
I Feature 1 Transfer 1 - I Feature 1 Transfer 2
I Feature 1 Transfer 3 - I Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second H Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
8r Ricky Ehrgott (Brownsburg, IN) - 11c Joe Cleveland (Delphos, KS)
6J Justin Barger (Montrose, NY) - 14k Henry Clarke (Villa Park, CA)
27d Danny Jennings (Norman, OK) - 31d David Budres (Beloit, WI)
88w Shane Golobic (Fremont, CA) - 85J Matt Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK)
24 Nick Foster, Jr. (San Jose, CA) - d1 Barry Lamb (Moran, KS)
11w Tim McCreadie (Watertown, NY) - 73m Tanner Mullens (Andale, KS)
I Feature 2 Transfer 1 - I Feature 2 Transfer 2
I Feature 2 Transfer 3 - I Feature 2 Transfer 4
First I Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
73T Samantha Taylor (Bonney Lake, WA) - 50 Ted Kirkpatrick (Waterloo, IA)
86c Dave Camfield, Jr. (Decatur, IL) - 11h Garrett Hood (Concordia, KS)
0 Glenn Styres (Ohsweken, ONT) - 91 Joe Duvall (Chelsea, OK)
34 Evan Sewell (Tulsa, OK) - 67x Landon Simon (Tipp City, OH)
2x Doug Day (Winder, GA) - F1 French Grimes (Madison, VA)
99J Robby Josett (Agua Dulce, CA) - 86J Jim Donley (Yuma, AZ)
J Feature 1 Transfer 1 - J Feature 1 Transfer 2
J Feature 1 Transfer 3 - J Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second I Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
10 Will Pierce Lees Summit, MO) - 31c Larry Campbell (Van Buren, AR)
6e Rafe Essary (Fayetteville, AR) - 22s Brandon Spithaler (Evans City, PA)
68 Jonathan Hendrick (Fortville, IN) - 17p Cruz Pedregon (Brownsburg, IN)
37w Joe Walker (Harrisonville, MO) - 14T Tony Rossi (Brighton, CO)
64 Brett Miller (Chico, CA) - 59 Dex Eaton (Owasso, OK)
10v Viktor Sinzig (Cupertino, CA) - 98 Curtis Bailey (Bartlesville, OK)
J Feature 2 Transfer 1 - J Feature 2 Transfer 2
J Feature 2 Transfer 3 - J Feature 2 Transfer 4
First J Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
31L Chuck Knight (Fort Smith, AR) - 5a Peter Palazzolo (Pacific, MO)
31x Scott Nail (Visalia, CA) - 94 Chad DeSelle (Sun Prairie, WI)
31v Victor Davis (Simi Valley, CA) - 5m Wayne Modjeski (Oak Creek, WI)
98g Gavin Galbraith (Washington, MO) - 63n Rex Norris III (Spiceland, IN)
50T Tom Everhart (El Cajon, CA) - 77 Jimmy Winkler (Parkville, MO)
3w Brandon Waelti (Sun Prairie, WI) - 25z Chris Zrinski (Forked River, NJ)
K Feature 1 Transfer 1 - K Feature 1 Transfer 2
K Feature 1 Transfer 3 - K Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second J Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
33a Stephen Arnold (Seymour, IN) - 78c Tony Roland (Valparaiso, IN)
20b Carey Becker (Reading, PA) - 45 Aaron Kirk (Conroe, TX)
10b Brock Lemley (Bellingham, WA) - 11xc Steve Newman (Breckenridge, CO)
1x Eddie Martin (Stilwell, OK) - 9m Doug McCune (Fort Worth, TX)
21k Kurt Mayhew (Demotte, IN) - 51s Kiley Fellars (Buckeye, AZ)
10w George White (Fort Worth, TX) - O7 Billy Mentgen (Jamestown, IN)
K Feature 2 Transfer 1 - K Feature 2 Transfer 2
K Feature 2 Transfer 3 - K Feature 2 Transfer 4
First K Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
3a Bill Allen (Independence, MO) - 21z Jessica Zemken (Sprakers, NY)
91k Kevin Bayer (Broken Arrow, OK) - 89 Todd McVay (Lees Summit, MO)
76k Frank Ikerd (Loma Linda, MO) - 0J Johnny Murdock (Kaufman, TX)
48 Lee Little (Mustang, OK) - 61a Kevin Battles (Collinsville, OK)
11a Andrew Felker (Carl Junction, MO) - 22az Stevie Sussex (Buckeye, AZ)
6 Brian Carter (Frisco, TX) - 4r Robby Ross (St. Joseph, MO)
L Feature 1 Transfer 1 - L Feature 1 Transfer 2
L Feature 1 Transfer 3 - L Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second K Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
49 Brad Sweet (Grass Valley, CA) - 3F Ned Fry (W. Burlington, IA)
6m Justin Mallo (Cheyenne, WY) - 33 Scott Fennell (Littleton, CO)
10c Scott Allen (Kansas City, KS) - 1k Ron Kuhn (Lees Summit, MO)
92r Jake Rosario (Guthrie, OK) - 18a Floyd Alvis (San Carlos, CA)
7J Eric Todd (Falcon, MO) - 21J John Lowrey (Bakersfield, CA)
35p Tim Spurgeon (San Ramon, CA) - 11b Scotty Weir (Marion, IN)
L Feature 2 Transfer 1 - L Feature 2 Transfer 2
L Feature 2 Transfer 3 - L Feature 2 Transfer 4
First L Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
6z Cody Kershaw (Oak Park, CA) - 1b Scott Crystal (Overland Park, KS)
0c Cameron Beard (Atwater, CA) - 27a Brent Swift (Norman, OK)
87c Tim Crawley (Benton, AR) - 63r Rob Parish (Knightstown, IN)
5T Randy Timms (Wheatland, OK) - 2 Mark Bush (Cumming, GA)
55k Nick Knepper (Belleville, IL)
Second L Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
92m Josh Most (Red Oak, IA) - 39J Justin Grosz (Hawley, PA)
1m Garry Lee Maier (Cimarron, KS) - 6d Dusty Heistand (Manheim, PA)
3 Julee Jamison (Littleton, CO) - 6x Dylan Peterson (Sioux Falls, SD)
57b Johnny Heydenreich (Indianapolis, IN) - 05x Channing Zierolf (Houma, LA)
By Lonnie Wheatley,
The reigning USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown champion gunned into the lead at the outset and kept the Toyota-powered Wilke-PAK Motorsports Speedway Motors No. 11 Spike out front for the entire 25-lap distance atop the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway ¼-mile clay oval.
Coons was chased to the stripe by Levi Jones in Tony Stewart's Kistler-powered Chevy/Bass Pro Shops No. 20 Spike, representing a flip-flop of Thursday night's first and second finishing car owners.
Also locking into Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship finale was Missouri Midget ace Brad Loyet, who battled past defending race winner Damion Gardner for third place on the ninth round and held it the rest of the way.
Coons, Jones and Loyet will join the top three finishers from each of the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night qualifiers, with the balance of the record field of 281 competitors set to battle it out through a full slate of feature action beginning with Twin "L" Mains at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.
Coons weathered four caution periods over the initial dozen circuits before finishing out the final 13 rounds in non-stop fashion.
"Levi gave me a pretty good run there on one restart, he was there under me for a lap or two," Coons explained. "That kind of made me question the rest of the restarts, I just tried to mix up my restarts and keep him behind me."
That's exactly what Coons did, as he slipped away from Jones and the rest of the field over the final half of the race to win his second career Chili Bowl preliminary main event.
Jones settled for second, commenting that, "I'm proud of my team, we've got our cars dialed in here and hopefully we'll make the right decisions. We'll see what Emmett does with the track Saturday night and see where we end up."
Just as the lead trio of Coons, Jones and Loyet took the checkered flag to complete the race, the yellow lights flickered when Jonathan Beason, Matt Streeter and Billy Wease tangled in turn one. At the same time, Kasey Kahne surrendered the fifth position when he spun to a stop in turn four.
Oklahoma native Daryn Pittman crossed the stripe fourth, with USAC Midget champion Cole Whitt charging from 18th to round out the top five.
Tim Siner climbed eight positions to claim sixth, with Trey Robb, Matt Westfall, Dustin Morgan and 22nd-starter Dakoda Armstrong completing the top ten.
After starting eighth, two-time Chili Bowl champion Cory Kruseman was dicing for position when he looped his machine in turn one with five laps in the books. Six laps later, Jason Leffler jumped a tire a slid to a stop exiting turn two.
In his bid to become the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl Nationals history, Damion Gardner ran among the top three in the early stages before Loyet slid by. Gardner spun three laps later trying to regain the position, salvaging a 14th-place finish after restarting at the rear of the field.
Greg Wilson was the lone Chili Bowl Nationals Rookie of the Year contender to make the feature cut and recovered for a 13th-place showing after getting caught up in a lap eight tangle that also included Cole Carter, Rich Camfield and Bud Kaeding.
California's Kyle Larson was a late substitute for New York's Jerry Higbie, Jr., who fell ill prior to heat race action. Larson responded by putting the Corey Tucker mount in the feature event, only to be forced pitside after five laps due to mechanical issues.
Jones, Wayne Johnson, Kahne, Loyet, Morgan, Kruseman, Anthony Peterman, Pittman and Jonathan Beason each topped heat race action, with Coons, Loyet, Kaeding and Leffler winning the qualifying races.
Chili Bowl rookies Cap Henry and Brett Burdette won the "C" Mains, with Whitt and Camfield best in the "B" Mains.
Marc Robe's wild ride down the backstretch was the most violent of the night's eight flips. Danny Faria, Jr., doubled up with flips in both his heat race and a "B" Main, with other tumblers including Brent Swift in heat race action, Julee Jamison and Jimmy Winkler in the first "C" Main and David Budres and Matt Mitchell in the "B" Mains. Everyone walked away uninjured.
Saturday's slate of 23 championship feature events at the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals gets under way at 11:45 a.m. with the first of Twin "L" Mains.
Friday Night's O'Reilly Qualifying Results from the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire
Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to two C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #20 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 2. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 3. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 4. #85 Shane Hollingsworth. Lafayette, IN; 5. #87X Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 6. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 7. #22AZ Stevie Sussex, Laveen, AZ; 8. #11XC Steve Newman, Breckenridge, CO
Heat 2: 1. #2B Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 2. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 3. #23F J.T. Stapp, Greensburg, IN; 4. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 5. #39B Billy Wilburn, Mooresville, NC; 6. #71T Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; 7. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 8. #3F Ned Fry, West Burlington, IA
Heat 3: 1. #67K Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 2. #2S Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 3. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 4. #5K Jeff Wimmenauer, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #5M Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek, WI; 6. #91 Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK: 7. #92M Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 8. #5A Peter Palazzolo, Pacific, MO
Heat 4: 1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 3. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 4. #44P P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 5. #31D David Budres, Beloit, WI; 6. #87 Danny Faria Jr., Tipton, CA; 7. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 8. #3 Julee Jamison, Littleton, CO
Heat 5: 1. #1DM Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 2. #8J Greg Wilson, Benton Ride, OH; 3. #97B Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 4. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 5. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 6. #04 Cap Henry, Bellevue, OH; 7. #21J John Lowrey, Bakersfield, CA; 8. #17P Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN
Heat 6: 1. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 2. #D1 Barry Lamb, Morgan, KS; 3. #73X Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 4. #99K Kevin Kierce, Reseda, CA; 5. #21Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 6. #1K Ron Kuhn, Lees Summit, MO; 7. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 8. #27A Brent Swift, Norman, OK
Heat 7: 1. #2M Crawfordsville, IN: 2. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 3. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 4. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 5. #17M Marc Robe, Wichita, KS; 6. #17BB Brett Burdette, Sunman, IN; 7. #6D Dusty Heistand, Manheim, PA; 8. #0J Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX
Heat 8: 1. #21P Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 2. Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 3. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL; 4. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 5. #55T Tony Everhart, El Cajon, CA; 6. #50 Ted Kirkpatrick, Waterloo, IA; 7. #63R Rob Parish, Knightstown, IN; 8. #77 Jimmy Winkler, Parkville, MO
Heat 9: 1. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 3. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 4. #10X Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 5. #1AZ Jeff Perry, Buckeye, AZ; 6. #1B Scott Crystal, Overland Park, KS; 7. #78C Tony Roland, Valparaiso, IN; 8. #51S Kiley Fellars, Buckeye, AZ
C Mains (12 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #04 Cap Henry, Bellevue, OH; 2. #1AZ Jeff Perry, Buckeye, AZ; 3. #31D David Budres, Beloit, WI; 4. #71T Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; 5. #50 Ted Kirkpatrick, Waterloo, IA; 6. #17P Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 8. #5A Peter Palazzolo, Pacific, MO; 9. #11XC Steve Newman, Breckenridge, CO; 10. #77 Jimmy Winkler, Parkville, MO; 11. #21Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 12. #1K Ron Kuhn, Lees Summit, MO; 13. #22AZ Stevie Sussex, Laveen, AZ; 14. #92M Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 15. #6D Dusty Heistand, Manheim, PA; 16. #3 Julee Jamison, Littleton, CO
C Main 2: 1. #17BB Brett Burdette, Sunman, IN; 2. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 3. #39B Billy Wilburn, Mooresville, NC; 4. #87 Danny Faria Jr., Tipton, CA; 5. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 6. #91 Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 7. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 8. #78C Tony Roland, Valparaiso, IN; 9. #5M Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek, WI; 10. #51S Kiley Fellars, Buckeye, AZ; 11. #3F Ned Fry, West Burlington, IA; 12. #0J Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; 13. #21J John Lowrey, Bakersfield, CA; 14. #1B Scott Crystal, Overland Park, KS; 15. #27A Brent Swift, Norman, OK; 16. #63R Rob Parish, Knightstown, IN
A Qualifiers (10 Laps - Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 2. #20 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 3. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 4. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 5. #2B Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 6. #87X Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 7. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 8. #23F J.T. Stapp, Greensburg, IN; 9. #73X Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 10. #55T Tony Everhart, El Cajon, CA
A Qualifier 2: 1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 3. #21P Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK: 4. #44P P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 5. #67K Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 6. #97J Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 7. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 8. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 9. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 10. #5K Jeff Wimmenauer, Indianapolis, IN
A Qualifier 3: 1. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 2. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #1DM Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 4. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 5. #8J Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, OH; 6. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 7. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 8. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 9. #99K Kevin Kierce, Reseda, CA; 10. #D1 Barry Lamb, Moran, KS
A Qualifier 4: 1. #38 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 2. #2S Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 3. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 4. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL: 5. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 6. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 7. #2M Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 8. #10X Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 9. #17M Marc Robe, Wichita, KS; 10. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS
B Mains (15 Laps - Top 4 advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #87X Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 2. #97J Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 3. #73X Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 4. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 5. #44P P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 6. #99K Kevin Kierce, Reseda, CA; 7. #55T Tony Everhart, El Cajon, CA; 8. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 9. #2M Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN: 10. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 11. #04 Cap Henry, Bellevue, OH; 12. #1AZ Jeff Perry, Buckeye, AZ; 13. #71T Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; 14. #10X Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 15. #31D David Budres, Beloit, WI; DNS - #17M Marc Robe, Wichita, KS
B Main 2: 1. 1. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 2. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 3. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 4. #8J Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, OH; 5. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK: 6. #85 Matt Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 7. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL: 8. #39B Billy Wilburn, Mooresville, NC; 9. #5K Jeff Wimmenauer, Indianapolis, IN; 10. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 11. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 12. #87 Danny Faria Jr., Tipton, CA; 13. #23F J.T. Stapp, Greensburg, IN; 14. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 15. #17BB Brett Burdette, Sunman, IN; 16. #D1 Barry Lamb, Moran, KS
A Main (25 laps - Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
1. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 2. #20 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 3. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 4. #21P Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 5. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 6. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL: 7. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 8. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 9. #1DM Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 10. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 11. #73X Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 12. #38 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 13. #8J Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, OH; 14. #2S Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 15. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 16. #67K Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 17. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 18. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 19. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 20. #007 Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 21. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 22. #87X Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 23. #2B Oklahoma City, OK; 24. #97J Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA
TULSA, Okla. (January 15, 2009) - After riding out one of the most spectacular flips in Chili Bowl Nationals history, New York's Tim McCreadie is recuperating from injuries at a Tulsa-area hospital.
McCreadie suffered a fractured T-3 vertebra and has floating fragments after the incident that occurred while leading Wednesday night's first qualifying race. Noted specialist Dr. Terry Trammel was scheduled to consult with the local specialist on Thursday afternoon.
The 2007 Chili Bowl Nationals winner and World of Outlaws Late Model champion has already been fitted for a back and neck brace and will face substantial medical and recovery expenses in the coming months without the benefit of health insurance.
Currently, Kevin Miller, Jason Smith and James Spink at USAC, with the appreciation and support of Chili Bowl promoters Emmett Hahn and Lanny Edwards, have offered to help manage the many offers from the racing community to assist with McCreadie's expenses.
Donations should be made payable to:
USAC c/o Tim McCreadie Support Fund
USAC
4910 West 16th Street
Speedway, Indiana 46224
By Lonnie Wheatley,
The triumph before a standing-room-only crowd came by the narrowest of margins though, as Hines flashed across the finish line in the Tony Stewart Racing Kistler Chevy-powered No. 21 Chevy/Bass Pro Shops Spike just 0.12-seconds ahead of fellow Hoosier State hotshoe Dave Darland.
Also assured of a starting slot in Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event along with Hines and Darland is Illinois native and 2008 ARCA champion Justin Allgaier, who claimed the show position to lock into his third career Chili Bowl finale. Hines and Darland will both make their eleventh career championship feature starts on Saturday night.
Hines and Darland earned the front row for Thursday's feature through heat race and qualifying action and then hinted at the close finish to follow in the opening handful of circuits, dueling for the lead in wheel-to-wheel fashion with Hines running the low line and Darland on the top shelf.
After the battle was interrupted five laps in due to a Scott Hatton spin in turn two, Hines established a grip on the lead and moved to the upper portion of the racetrack, building nearly a straightaway advantage over the ensuing laps.
Hines pace was only marginally slowed after reaching lapped traffic at the midway point, with Darland making up minimal ground as Allgaier fought off Brent Beauchamp for the third and final transfer position.
Hines' comfortable advantage went by the wayside as the caution flag flew just three laps short of the finish when Jason Meyers slid to a stop in turn three, surrendering the sixth position in the process.
After another pair of quick cautions, Darland was on Hines' tailtank for the green-white-checkered run. And, as Hines continued to work the high line over the final two laps, Darland got perhaps his best run of the race off the bottom of turn four on the final lap. Darland pulled alongside but fell just inches short as Hines took the checkered flag.
While Darland settled for second in the Toyota-powered Wilke-Pak Motorsports Speedway Motors No. 5 Spike, Allgaier slipped away from his chasers in the final scramble to secure third aboard Ebby Bergfield's Esslinger-powered Ethanol No. 86 Spike.
After battling each other throughout the night, including some qualifying race contact, Shane Cottle and Donnie Ray Crawford mixed it up for position much of the way in the feature event. Trading positions several times in the closing circuits, Cottle got the edge on the final lap to claim fourth with Crawford rounding out the top five.
Beauchamp got shuffled back to sixth in the final two-lap dash to the checkered flag, with Glenn Carson in seventh. After starting outside the second row, Jesse Hockett lost a left front shock in the early going and still managed an eighth-place showing.
Nathan High claimed ninth, with Jay Drake's first full night of competition behind the wheel in more than two years netted a tenth-place finish after starting 17th.
Among Thursday's heat race winners that also included Frank Polimeda, Rob Russell, Jimmy Light, Darland, Allgaier, Crawford, Cottle and Beauchamp, Drake later posted the night's second-narrowest victory when he nipped Michelle Decker by 0.023-seconds at the line in the first "B" Main.
The night's closest finish came in the third "A" qualifier when Scott Hatton edged Allgaier by just 0.009 seconds. Other qualifying race winners included Hockett, Wise and A.J. Fike, who surrendered a fifth-row feature starting position when he made a quick trip to the work area prior to the start.
Billy Pauch, Jr., and Garrett Hansen topped the "C" Mains, with Scott Pierovich joining Drake among the ranks of "B" Main winners.
There were nine tumbles over the course of the evening, including fence-manglers by Channing Zierolf and Nick Knepper in heat race competition. Jonathan Hendrick and Brad Sweet also got upside down in heat race action before returning for unsuccessful attempts to climb from "C" to "B" Main competition.
Scotty Weir and Dylan Peterson both got upside down in "C"Main action, with Eric Sandage, Ricky Ehrgott and Derek Hagar all flipping in the qualifiers.
The fourth and final qualifying night of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tires hits the track at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night, setting the stage for Saturday's slate of championship feature events.
Thursday Night's Warren CAT Qualifying Results from the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire
Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to two C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 2. #37J Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN; 3. #7X Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 4. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 5. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 6. #11B Scott Weir, Marion, IN; 7. #10C Scott Allen, Kansas City, KS; 8. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 9. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN
Heat 2: 1. #10R Rob Russell, Fremont, CA; 2. #21 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 3. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 4. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 5. #44 Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 6. 36X Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 7. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 8. 331V Victor Davis, Simi Valley, CA; 9. #76K Frank Ikerd, Loma Linda, CA
Heat 3: 1. #4M Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #27D Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 3. #14J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 4. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 5. #27 Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 6. #0 Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, Ont.; 7. #6Z Cody Kershaw, Oak, Park, CA; 8. #0C Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA
Heat 4: 1. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 2. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 3. #25A Aaron Ott, York Springs, PA; 4. #9JR Derek Hagar, Marion, AR; 5. #07X Jennifer Greenberg, Albuquerque, NM; 6. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 7. #2X Doug Day, Winder, GA; 8. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA
Heat 5: 1. #86 Justin Allgaier, Cornelius, NC; 2. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 3. #60 Eric Sandage, Alexander, AR; 4. #57 Kevin Studley, Plainfield, IN; 5. #38G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 6. 10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 7. #21K Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, IN; 8. #31L Chuck Knight, Fort Smith, AR
Heat 6: 1. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Tulsa, OK; 2. #15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 3. #35X Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 4. #49P Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 5. #7C Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; 6. #10B Brock Lemley, Bellingham, WA; 7. #1M Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; 8. #05X Channing Zierolf, Houma, LA
Heat 7: 1. #67 Jay Drake, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #18 Donnie Trent, Honey Brook, PA; 3. #8R Ricky Ehrgott, Brownsburg, IN; 4. #57X Jason Holt, Brownsville, IN; 5. #7J Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 6. #87C Tim Crawley, Little Rock, AR; 7. #7E Blake Miller, Yorba Linda, CA; 8. #24 Nick Foster Jr., San Jose, CA
Heat 8: 1. #1S Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 2. #75W Josh Wise, Columbus, IN; 3. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 4. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 5. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 6. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 7. #3A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 8. #50T Tom Everhart, El Cajon, CA
Heat 9: 1. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 2. #7B Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 3. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 4. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 5. #73T Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 6. #4F Chad Frewaldt, Kansas City, KS; 7. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 8. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL
C Mains (12 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #49P Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 2. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 3. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 4. #7C Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; 5. #73T Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 6. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 7. #2X Doug Day, Winder, GA; 8. #31L Chuck Knight, Fort Smith, AR; 9. #10B Brock Lemley, Bellingham, WA; 10. #50T Tom Everhart, El Cajon, CA; 11. #3A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 12. #10C Scott Allen, Kansas City, KS; 13. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 14. #11B Scott Weir, Marion, IN; 15. #1M Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS DNS ? #05X Channing Zierolf, Houma, LA; #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL
C Main 2: 1. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 2. #7E Blake Miller, Yorba Linda, CA; 3. #27 Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 4. #24 Nick Foster Jr., San Jose, CA; 5. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 6. #0 Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 7. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 8. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 9. #31V Victor Davis, Simi Valley, CA; 10. #21K Kurt Mayhew, Demotte, IN; 11. #49 Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 12. #76K Frank Ikerd, Loma Linda, CA; 13. #7J Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 14. #6Z Cody Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 15. #0C Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; 16. #87C Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 17. #6X Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD
A Qualifiers (10 Laps - Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 2. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 3. #14J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 4. #7B Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 5. #35X Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 6. #10R Rob Russell, Fremont, CA; 7. #25A Aaron Ott, York Springs, PA; 8. #57X Jason Holt, Brownsville, IN; 9. #07X Jennifer Greenberg, Albuquerque, NM; 10. #60 Eric Sandage, Alexander, AR
A Qualifier 2: 1. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 2. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 3. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 4. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 5. #4M Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #44 Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #8G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 8. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 9. #9JR Derek Hagar, Marion, AR; 10. #8R Rick Ehrgott, Brownsburg, IN
A Qualifier 3: 1. #15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 2. #86 Justin Allgaier, Cornelius, NC; 3. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 4. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 5. #67 Jay Drake, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 7. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 8. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 9. #57 Kevin Studley, Plainfield, IN; 10. #27D Danny Jennings, Norman, OK
A Qualifier 4: 1. #75W Josh Wise, Columbus, IN; 2. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 3. #1S Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 4. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Tulsa, OK; 5. #37J Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN; 6. #7X Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 7. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 8. #18 Donnie Trent, Honey Brook, PA; 9. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 10. #4F Chad Frewaldt, Kansas City, KS
B Mains (15 Laps - Top 4 advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #67 Jay Drake, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #7X Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 3. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 4. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 5. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 6. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 7. #18 Donnie Trent, Honey Brook, PA; 8. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 9. #25A Aaron Ott, York Springs, PA; 10. #57X Jason Holt, Brownsville, IN; 11. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 12. #7C Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; 13. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 14. #07X Jennifer Greenberg, Albuquerque, NM; 15. #27D Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; DNS - #60 Eric Sandage, Alexander, AR
B Main 2: 1. #35X Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 2. #44 Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 4. #8G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 5. #37J Jeff Bland Jr., Bloomington, IN; 6. #7E Blake Miller, Yorba Linda, CA; 7. #9JR Derek Hagar, Marion, PA; 8. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 9. #27 Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 10. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 11. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 12. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 13. #57 Kevin Studley, Plainfield, IN; 14. #8R Rick Ehrgott, Brownsburg, IN; 15. #4F Chad Frewaldt, Kansas City, KS; 16. #24 Nick Foster Jr., San Jose, CA
A Main (25 laps - Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
1. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 2. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 3. #86 Justin Allgaier, Cornelius, NC; 4. #1S Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 5. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Tulsa, OK; 6. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 7. #26 Glen Carson, Concord, CA; 8. #05H Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 9. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 10. #67 Jay Drake, Brownsburg, IN; 11. #7B Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 12. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 13. #75W Josh Wise, Columbus, IN; 14. #35X Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 15. #21T Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 16. #15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 17. #44 Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 18. #14J Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 19. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 20. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 21. #7X Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 22. #8G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 23. #4M Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 24. #10R Rob Russell, Fremont, CA
Sets Sights on Fifth Chili Bowl Crown
By Lonnie Wheatley,
After serving notice with a convincing Race of Champions triumph on Tuesday night, Swindell took on a field of 68 competitors in Wednesday night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Piloting an unconventional Midget, at least in terms of appearance with an old super modified style tailtank, the four-time Chili Bowl king put a whooping on the mostly younger generation of racers by winning his heat race, qualifying race and then wiring the field in the 25-lap "A" Feature event.
Queried about the unique tailtank, Swindell simply said, "It's a secret," with a sly grin.
Only J.J. Yeley could keep Swindell in sight in the feature event. But, when Swindell cleared a group of three lapped cars on the white flag lap, the victory aboard the Esslinger-powered Venture Racing/ARIENCO/York Excavating No. 1 Spike was as good as sealed.
"We didn't really have to press anything, I didn't want to give it away or beat myself," Swindell commented after securing his 16th career Chili Bowl championship main event start. "The thing's been fantastic all week, it's so easy to drive and a lot of fun to drive."
While Swindell assured himself of a prime starting position in his pursuit of an unprecedented fifth Chili Bowl championship and accompanying Golden Driller trophy to go along with wins in 1989, 1992, 1996 and 1998, Yeley and third-place finisher Jon Stanbrough both locked themselves into Saturday night's 50-lap finale as well.
Swindell's strength on the racetrack was evident from the outset. And, if there were any doubts about the nature of his Race of Champions win on Tuesday night, they were promptly dispelled when he raced from three rows deep to make a last-lap pass of California's Brent Camarillo in the night's fourth heat race.
The Sprint Car racing legend backed it up by making a second sixth-to-first charge in the first qualifying race, making a move around Josh Ford on the eighth of ten laps.
From the pole position in the feature, there was no stopping Swindell. After weathering three cautions over the initial eight circuits as Stanbrough and Darren Hagen diced for second along with Yeley, Swindell cruised a handful of car-lengths ahead of Yeley in the race's mid-stages until hitting lapped traffic on the 15th round.
By the 20th circuit, Swindell found himself mired behind a pair of lapped cars as Yeley closed to within striking distance. Traffic finally worked to Swindell's favor before Yeley could pounce, and Swindell galloped the final lap-and-a-half to the checkered flag unabated.
Yeley brought Cruz Pedregon's Toyota-powered Odyssey Extreme Batteries/Hot Hues No. 1J Spike across the stripe second. Yeley commented that, "I've been in the alphabet soup so many times here that second place is just like winning 'cause I know on Saturday I'm locked in the 'A' and that's a lot less races than I'm used to running here."
Wingless Sprint Car ace Stanbrough secured a fifth consecutive Chili Bowl championship main event start by taking the show position aboard the Loyet Motorsports Esslinger Ford-powered No. 05s Spike.
Stanbrough explained of his late race strategy that, "We just stayed down there and tried to play it smart so we'd be in the show for Saturday night. We know what we did wrong and hopefully we can fix it and be a little better Saturday night."
Josh Ford, a two-time Chili Bowl preliminary main event winner, settled for fourth with Thomas Meseraull rounding out the top five.
Chris Windom claimed sixth, with Kevin Ramey racing from 20th to seventh in his first Chili Bowl "A" Feature action. Mike Goodman was eighth, with Hagen and 18th-starter Gary Wright completing the top ten.
Three Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year contenders made it into Wednesday night's main event, with Shane Hmiel's 14th-place run besting rookie foes Austen Wheatley (16th) and Bruce Douglass (20th).
Originally slated to start the feature from the sixth row inside, Bryan Clauson tagged the tail of the field after a quick trip to the work area to tend to mechanical issues. A fourth-place finisher at last year's Chili Bowl Nationals, Clauson carved through half the field in the opening eight laps before eventually finishing eleventh.
Hagen, Wheatley, Matt Sherrell, Swindell, Nick Wean, Joey Fabozzi, Ford, Austin Mero and Clauson each posted heat race wins, with Swindell, Windom, Joey Moughan and Meseraull topping the qualifying races.
Brady Bacon wired the field in the first "C" Main before being collected in a late-race tangle while battling for the final transfer from a "B" Main aced by Hmiel.
Jonathan Halford made last-lap pass of Donnie Lehmann to win the second "C" Main, with Wright winning the second "B" Main over fellow Texan Ramey, who edged Wean at the line for second.
California's Tim Spurgeon became the 1,000th different competitor in Chili Bowl history when he took the green flag in the night's seventh heat race. He went on to become the night's third flip victim when he got upside down in the first "C" Main.
The most spectacular of the night's half-dozen flips was 2006 Chili Bowl winner Tim McCreadie's wicked ride over the turn one barriers while handily leading the night's first "A" qualifier. The rear axle snapped as McCreadie set his mount to enter turn one on the fifth round, nearly sending the Watertown, NY, hotshoe out of the building.
Qualifying night action at the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals continues with Thursday night's Warren CAT Qualifying event, with heat races slated to start at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Results from the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire
Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to two C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #32 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 2. #7A Bubba Altig, Marengo, IL; 3. #27C Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 4. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 5. #31B Bruce Douglass, Ventura, CA; 6. #99J Robby Josett, Agua Dulce, CA; 7. Dave Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 8. #10V Viktor Sinzig, Cupertino, CA
Heat 2: 1. #73W Austin Wheatley, Lake Stevens, WA; 2. #2A Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 3. #74 Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon, CA; 4. #D33 Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 5. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 7. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 8. #91K Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK
Heat 3: 1. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 2. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #81 Doug Kammerzell, Arlington, WA; 4. #88W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 5. #17F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 6. #35R Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, OK; 7. #37W Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 8. 31X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, OK
Heat 4: 1. Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 3. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 4. #71X Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 5. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 6. #34 Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 7. #31X Scott Nail, Visalia, CA; 8. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO
Heat 5: 1. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 2. #7G Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 3. #11W Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 4. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 5. #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK; 6. #8E Murray Erickson, Odessa, TX; 7. #20B Carey Becker, Reading, PA; 8. #39J Justin Grosz, Hawley, PA
Heat 6: 1. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 2. #87J Johnny Rodriguez, Galt, CA; 3. #21X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 4. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 5. #7S Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 6. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, TX; 7. #3W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI
Heat 7: 1. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 2. #47X Jerome Rodela, El Monte, CA; 3. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #71K Cale Conley, Vienna, WV; 5. #92R Jacob Rosario, Guthrie, OK; 6. #6E Rafe Essary, Fayetteville, AR; 7. #35P Tim Spurgeon, San Ramon, CA
Heat 8: 1. #17K Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 2. #05S John Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 3. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 4. #24C Casey Riggs, Shelbyville, IN; 5. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 6. #48 Lee Little, Mustang, OK; 7. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX
Heat 9: 1. #47B Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 2. #56 Shane Hmiel, Huntersville, NC; 3. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 4. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 5. #401 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 6. #6J Justin Barger, Montrose, NY; DNS - Johnny Heydenriech, Indianapolis, IN
C Mains (12 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #401 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 3. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 4. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 5. #86C Dave Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 6. #37W Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 7. #99J Randy Josett, Agua Dulce, CA; 8. #31X Scott Nail, Visalia, CA; 9. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, OK; 10. #3W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 11. #91K Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 12. #92R Jake Rosario, Guthrie, OK; 13. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, TX; 14. #39J Justin Grosz, Hawley, PA
C Main 2: 1. #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK; 2. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 3. #7S Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 4. #6J Justin Barger, Montrose, NY; 5. #6E Rafe Essary, Fayetteville, AR; 6. #34 Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 7. #10V Viktor Sinzig, Cupertino, CA; 8. #20B Carey Becker, Reading, PA; 9. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO; 10. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX; 11. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 12. #48 Lee Little, Mustang, OK; 13. #35P Tim Spurgeon, San Ramon, CA DNS ? Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN
A Qualifiers (10 Laps - Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 3. #21X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 4. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 5. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 6. #71X Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 7. #81 Doug Kammerzell, Arlington, WA; 8. #73W Austen Wheatley, Lake Stevens, WA; 9. #74 Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon, CA; 10. #11W Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY
A Qualifier 2: 1. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 2. #87J Johnny Rodriguez, Galt, CA; 3. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #17F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK: 5. #17K Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 6. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 7. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 8. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 9. #88W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 10. #47X Jerome Rodela, El Monte, CA
A Qualifier 3: 1. #D33 Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 2. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 3. #47B Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 4. #56 Shane Hmiel, Huntersville, NC; 5. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 6. #35R Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; 7. #71K Cale Conley, Vienna, WV; 8. #24C Casey Riggs, Shelbyville, IN; 9. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 10. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, AZ
A Qualifier 4: 1. #2A Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 2. #32 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 3. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 4. #31B Bruce Douglass, Ventura, CA; 5. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 6. #7G Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 7. #8E Murray Erickson, Odessa, TX; 8. #7A Bubba Altig, Marengo, IL; 9. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 10. #27C Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN
B Mains (15 Laps - Top 4 in each advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #56 Shane Hmiel, Huntersville, NC; 2. #35R Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; 3. #73W Austen Wheatley, Lake Stevens, WA; 4. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 5. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #7G Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 7. #81 Doug Kammerzell, Arlington, WA; 8. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 9. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 10. #401 Daniel Adler, E. Carondolet, IL; 11. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 12. #35 Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 13. #8E Murray Erickson, Odessa, TX; 14. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 15. #88W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 15. #27C Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN
B Main 2: 1. #71X Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 2. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 4. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 5. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #71K Cale Conley, Vienna, WV; 7. #7A Bubba Altig, Marengo, IL; 8. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 9. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 10. #47X Jerome Rodela, El Monte, CA; 11. #7S Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 12. #24C Casey Riggs, Shelbyville, IN; 13. #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK; 14. #6J Justin Barger, Montrose, NY; 15. #74 Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon, CA; DNS ? #11W Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY
A Main (25 laps - Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 4. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 5. #2A Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 6. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 7. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 8. #17F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 9. #32 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 10. #71X Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 11. #47B Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 12. #87J Johnny Rodriguez, Galt, CA; 13. #D33 Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 14. #56 Shane Hmiel, Huntersville, NC; 15. #21X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL: 16. #73W Austen Wheatley, Lake Stevens, WA; 17. #17K Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 18. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 19. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 20. #31B Bruce Douglass, Ventura, CA; 21. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 22. #35R Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; 23. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 24. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK
Sammy Swindell Wins Race of Champions
By Lonnie Wheatley,
Collecting his second Chili Bowl preliminary feature win in as many years, Indiana's Kuhn locked himself into Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event along with Memphis-area shoe Stenhouse and third-place finisher Steve Buckwalter of Royersford, PA.
"I didn't think I had the patience to do it 25 laps (run the bottom), thankfully Ricky didn't," Kuhn commented afterward.
While 67 drivers battled it out on the first of four Chili Bowl qualifying nights, four-time Chili Bowl king Sammy Swindell fought off a late bid from Tim McCreadie to win the 20-lap Race of Champions.
Kuhn's triumph in the nightcap main event, which assures him a starting berth among the front two rows of his fourth career Chili Bowl championship main event, came at the expense of open wheel grad and rising NASCAR star Stenhouse, who had paced 22 circuits and survived a scrape with fellow Memphis-area native Kevin Swindell along the way.
"When Kevin got up there on the outside and they got together, I think Ricky started searching more and that's what opened the door up," Kuhn commented.
After chasing Buckwalter to the stripe in his heat race after starting from the pole and then climbing from seventh to third in his qualifier, Kuhn gridded the feature field inside the fifth row aboard the Toyota-powered RW Motorsports No. 17b Beast.
The two-time National Midget Driver of the Year spent minimal mid-pack time though, cracking the top three by the time two laps were in the books. And after a rousing final set of ten laps, it was Kuhn's bold move to the inside of Stenhouse that netted the win.
Kuhn explained that, "I kept inching up on him, when we came off the backstretch I was kinda reserved to run second there and just be locked in to save our car but when I got such a good run off of two and I got in there, I decided, 'Well we're just gonna go for it and see what happens'."
Setting the stage for the electrifying finish, reigning Badger Midget champion Mike Hess gunned into the lead from the pole position and paced the initial two rounds before getting into turn three too hot and spinning to a stop.
Third-starter Stenhouse assumed the point and led the ensuing circuits in front of front row outside starter Casey Shuman and Kuhn, as the younger Swindell tried to make it an "All-Swindell" night after watching his father take Race of Champions honors.
Kevin Swindell's night had opened with a close heat race win over Chad McDaniel. But a qualifying race spin after contact with McDaniel sent last year's sixth-place Chili Bowl finisher to a "B" Main that he won to earn the 17th starting slot in the feature.
Swindell wasted little time racing through the field, advancing to eighth by the time Brady Short spun with three laps in the books and then having a nifty move from fourth to second on the seventh circuit negated by a Ricky Williams spin in turn four.
The young gun from Germantown, TN, soon battled his way past Shuman and Kuhn as he set his sights on the pacesetting Stenhouse, who hails from nearby Olive Branch, MS. The battle came to a premature end though when Stenhouse clipped the berm exiting turn four and skittered across the track with the resulting contact sending Swindell into the wall and onto the hook eleven laps short of the checkered flag.
"I just got into the berm there coming off of four and it shot me off the racetrack," Stenhouse explained of the incident. "I tried stopping, but I didn't even know he was out there and just got into him."
With Stenhouse treading the top side of turns one and two and the bottom of three and four aboard the Esslinger-powered RFMS Racing No. 132 Spike over the final circuits, Kuhn and Shuman rode right behind waiting for an opening. And then 11th-starting Buckwalter, who bounced back from a Race of Champions flip, rode the high side into lead contention to make it a four-way duel for the point as chief starter Roger Slack gave the five laps-to-go signal.
Kuhn finally established a grip on second and moved in on Stenhouse, setting up the picture perfect move that netted the win in front of a packed house.
"I pushed him as hard as I could and tried slowing him down, but there wasn't anything I could do," Stenhouse explained of the final corner. "I probably should of gone to the top all the way just to see what would happen."
With Kuhn, Stenhouse and Buckwalter enjoying podium festivities, Shuman was the odd-man out as he finished one spot shy of a lock-in position by taking the checkered flag in fourth, with Bobby East rounding out the top five.
Chad Kemenah got a dose of Chili Bowl alphabet soup activity by racing to a "C" Main win, a "B" Main win and then charging to sixth in the feature event from 18th to boost his total of cars passed in Tuesday feature action to 25.
Running sixth in the early stages, Danny Lasoski rebounded from a lap eight spin in turn three to post a seventh-place showing, with Gary Taylor, USAC/CRA champion Mike Spencer and 19th-starter Terry McCarl completing the top ten.
A pair of Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year contenders made the feature cut on Tuesday night with POWRi Midget shoe Daniel Robinson claiming 14th and Pennsylvania teen Cody Darrah credited with 23rd after an opening lap tangle that forced him pitside along with Hunter Schuerenberg.
Stenhouse, Shuman, Brady Short and Caleb Armstrong all doubled up with heat race and qualifying race wins, with other heat races topped by P.J. Gargiulo, Buckwalter, Kellen Conover, Taylor and K. Swindell.
After a cut left rear tire derailed an apparent heat race victory drive, Danny Stratton won the first "C" Main before once again becoming an early casualty in the "B" Main won by K. Swindell.
Davey Ray held down a transfer position in the first "B" Main until a battery came off his mount and he lost power on the white flag lap.
After drawing the pole position for the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, Sammy Swindell gunned into the lead at the outset and held a commanding lead much of the way. It took a late caution after Steve Buckwalter's turn two flip to give his chasers hope.
Tim McCreadie briefly slid in front of Swindell to lead lap 17, but Swindell charged back by and paced the final three circuits to score the win in front of Dave Darland, McCreadie, Jay Drake and J.J. Yeley.
There were thirteen flips over the course of the night, with a Doug McCune-Chris Zrinski double tumble exiting turn four in the night's first "C" Main the most spectacular as Zrinski put the fence repair crew to work in short order. There were no injuries.
Tuesday Night's O'Reilly Qualifying Results from the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire
Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #51G P.J. Gargiulo, Morton, PA; 2. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 3. #89C Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 4. #11T Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 5. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 6. #86J Jim Donley, Yuma, AZ; 7. #39H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 8. #22S Brandon Spithaler, Evans City, PA.
Heat 2: 1. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 2. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 3. #10E Eli Deshaies, N. Kingstown, RI; 4. #7R Paul McMahan, Nashville, TN; 5. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 6. #63N Rex Norris III, Spiceland, IN; 7. #81X Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 8. #4R Robby Ross, St. Joseph, MO.
Heat 3: 1. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 2. #82 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 3. #71S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 4. #85B Jerry Bell, Sachse, TX; 5. #12Z Drew Heistand, Wrightsville, PA; 6. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 7. #5T Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK; 8. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO.
Heat 4: 1. #37K Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 2. #75R Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 3. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 4. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 5. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 6. #29 Nick Smith, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #45 Aaron Kirk, Conroe, TX; 8. #14K Henry Clarke, Villa Park, CA.
Heat 5: 1. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 2. #02 Matthew Rossi, Peoria, AZ; 3. #70X Andrew Elson, Carmel, IN; 4. #36F Frank Flud, Pryor, OK; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #67X Landon Simon, Tipp City, OH; 7. #98 Curtis Bailey, Bartlesville, OK; 8. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN.
Heat 6: 1. #132 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 2. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 3. #81K Rob Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 4. #11S Chris Sheil, Englewood, CO; 5. #61A Kevin Battles, Collinsville, OK; 6. #9m Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX.
Heat 7: 1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 3. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 4. #25K Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz, CA; 5. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 6. #33 Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; 7. #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA.
Heat 8: 1. #67S Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 2. #71R Keith Rauch, Thornton, CO; 3. #24D Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 4. #12H Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, CA; 5. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 6. #07 Billy Mentgen, Jamestown, IN; 7. #89 Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO.
Heat 9: #55C Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 2. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 3. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 4. #73M Tanner Mullens, Andale, KS; 5. #25Z Chris Zrinski, Forked River, NJ; 6. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 7. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA.
C Mains (12 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 3. #81X Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 4. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 5. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 6. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 7. #86J Jim Donley, Yuma, AZ; 8. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 9. #9M Doug McCune, Fort Worth; 10. #25Z Chris Zrinski, Forked River, NJ; 11. #89 Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 12. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 13. #4R Robby Ross, St. Joseph, MO. DNS - #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA.
C Main 2: 1. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 2. #39H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 3. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 4. #14K Henry Clarke, Villa Park, CA; 5. #22S Brandon Spithaler, Evans City, PA; 6. #67X Landon Simon, Tipp City, OH; 7. #98 Curtis Bailey, Bartlesville, OK; 8. #45 Aaron Kirk, Conroe, TX; 9. #63N Rex Norris III, Spiceland, IN; 10. #07 Billy Mentgen, Jamestown, IN; 11. #33 Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; 12. #61A Kevin Battles, Collinsville, OK; DNS ? Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK.
A Qualifiers (10 Laps - Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #67S Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 2. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 4. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 5. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 6. #12H Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, CA; 7. Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 8. #70X Andrew Elson, Carmel, IN; 9. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 10. #51G P.J. Gargiulo, Morton, PA.
A Qualifier 2: 1. #55C Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 2. #71R Keith Rauch, Thornton, CO; 3. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 4. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 5. #89C Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 6. #11T Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 7. #02 Matthew Rossi, Peoria, AZ; 8. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ; 9. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 10. #81K Rob Kershaw, Oak Park, CA.
A Qualifier 3: 1. #37x Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 2. #71S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 3. #7R Paul McMahan, Nashville, TN; 4. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 5. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 6. #24D Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 7. #73M Tanner Mullens, Andale, KS; 8. #11S Chris Sheil, Englewood, CO; 9. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 10. #29 Nick Smith, Broken Arrow, OK.
A Qualifier 4: 1. #132 Ricky Stenhouse, Olive Branch, MS; 2. #82 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 3. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 4. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 5. #12Z Drew Heistand, Wrightsville, PA; 6. #85B Jerry Bell Jr., Sachse, TX; 7. #25K Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz, CA; 8. #10E Eli Deshaies, N. Kingstown, RI; 9. #36F Frank Flud, Pryor, OK; 10. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA.
B Mains (15 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #11T Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 3. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 4. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 5. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 6. #11S Chris Sheil, Englewood, CO; 7. #02 Matthew Rossi, Peoria, AZ; 8. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 9. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 10. #81X Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 11. #70X Andrew Elson, Carmel, IN; 12. #75R Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 13. #85B Jerry Bell, Sachse, TX; 14. #25K Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz, CA; 15. #85 J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 16. #F5 Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN.
B Main 2: 1. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 2. #24D Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 3. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 4. #39H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 5. #81K Rob Kershaw, Oak Park, CA; 6. #29 Nick Smith, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #12H Rick Hendrix, Palmdale, CA; 8. #12Z Drew Heistand, Wrightsville, PA; 9. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ; 10. #51G P.J. Gargiulo, Morton, PA; 11. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 12. #10E Eli Deshaies, N. Kingstown, RI; 13. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 14. #14K Henry Clark, Villa Park, CA; 15. #36F Frank Flud, Pryor, OK; 16. #73M Tanner Mullens, Andale, KS.
Chili Bowl Race of Champions (20 Laps)
1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 3. #11W Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 4. #67 Jay Drake, Val Verde, CA; 5. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 6. Kasey Kahne, Eunumclaw, WA; 7. #7C Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 8. #15H Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 9. #38 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 10. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 11. #2S Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 12. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 13. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN; 14. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA.
A Main (25 laps - Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
1. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 2. #132 Ricky Stenhouse, Olive Branch, MS; 3. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 4. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 5. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 7. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 8. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 9. #71S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 10. #11T Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 11. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 12. #82 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 13. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 14. #24D Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 15. #88 Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 16. #7R Paul McMahan, Nashville, TN; 17. #55C Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 18. #71R Keith Rauch, Thornton, CO; 19. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 20. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 21. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 22. #67S Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 23. #89C Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 24. #39H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO.
On-Line Voting Begins December 18
By Lonnie Wheatley,
And, race fans around the world will have the opportunity over the next several weeks to determine the final pair of starters for the Tuesday night, January 13, Race of Champions event via voting at www.chilibowl.com.
For those that missed out on tickets for the rest of the week or haven't had an opportunity to experience the Chili Bowl in person, it's an excellent opportunity as a limited number of tickets remain for the Tuesday night card. In addition to the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, a full field of approximately 70 competitors will battle it out through a full slate of racing action including heats, qualifiers and feature events.
Already included in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions are past event winners Jay Drake, Damion Gardner, Scott Hatton, Tracy Hines, Cory Kruseman, Tim McCreadie and Sammy Swindell along with Kasey Kahne, J.J. Yeley, Jason Leffler and Dave Darland.
Now, it's up to the fans to determine the final two drivers that will go for the glory and the $2,500 winner's share in the 20-lap Chili Bowl Race of Champions.
Excluding those drivers already in the Race of Champions, another 16 drivers entered in the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals have made three or more Chili Bowl championship main event starts over the course of their career. And, those are the drivers that have been deemed eligible for the "At-Large" starting berths.
The 16 candidates will be placed in two groups of eight, with fans voting on the first group from December 18 through 24 and then the second group from December 25 through December 31. The top three in voting from each group will move to the Final Round of voting, which takes place January 1 through January 9.
The pair of drivers accumulating the most votes in the final round will be extended invitations to compete in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions. If one of the elected drivers is unable to participate for any reason, the invitation will transfer to the next driver in the voting results.
Those drivers in Group A, which will be voted on from December 18 through December 24, include Brad Kuhn, Danny Lasoski, Donnie Lehmann, Gary Wright, Joe Boyles, Matt Westfall, Shane Carson and Shane Cottle.
Those drivers in Group B, which will be voted on from December 25 through December 31, include Bud Kaeding, Davey Ray, Jerry Coons, Jr., Jon Stanbrough, Kevin Olson, Rick Hendrix, Steve Buckwalter and Tony Elliott.
A limited number of tickets remain for the Tuesday night, January 13, O'Reilly Qualifying Night event that also includes the Chili Bowl Race of Champions for just $26 apiece. Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Currently, the Chili Bowl office has been flooded with 269 entries, putting last year's record mark of 274 competitors in jeopardy.
Chili Bowl Race of Champions at a Glance:
Who's Already In:
Dave Darland (Lincoln, IN)
Jay Drake (Brownsburg, IN)
Damion Gardner (Pittsboro, IN)
Scott Hatton (Roscoe, IL)
Tracy Hines (Newcastle, IN)
Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA)
Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA)
Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA)
Tim McCreadie (Watertown, NY)
Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN)
J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ)
At-Large Candidates (Top Two from Final Round will be Awarded Starting Berths):
Group A - Voting Open December 18 through December 24
Brad Kuhn
Danny Lasoski
Donnie Lehmann
Gary Wright
Joe Boyles
Matt Westfall
Shane Carson
Shane Cottle
Group B - Voting open December 25 through December 31
Bud Kaeding
Davey Ray
Jerry Coons, Jr.
Jon Stanbrough
Kevin Olson
Rick Hendrix
Steve Buckwalter
Tony Elliott
Note: Top three from each preliminary round of voting move to Final Round
Additional Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire Information:
What: 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway - ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When: January 13-17, 2009
Tuesday - O'Reilly Qualifying Night plus Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday - Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Friday - Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night
Saturday - Championship Feature Events
Past Winners: Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Tickets: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire were depleted by the end of May. A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Qualifying Event and Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $26 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Chili Bowl on TV: Portions of the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire will be broadcast on SPEED TV on a one-week tape-delayed basis on Saturday night, January 24.
Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 23rd Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire, 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 presented by General Tire is available at http://www.chilibowl.com or by calling 918-838-3777.
TULSA,
Okla. (January 12, 2008) Damion Gardner picked perhaps the largest
dirt track stage in history to shine upon by racing to victory lane in
Saturday night's 50-lap championship main event at Tulsa Expo Raceway's
22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.After winning Friday night's Qualifying feature, "The Demon" raced into the lead on the eleventh lap and led the rest of the way to become the 16th different winner in event history in front of a packed house at Tulsa's QuikTrip Center and before a worldwide television audience on HBO Pay-Per-View courtesy of Lucas Oil.
Piloting Jason Leffler's Pace Electronics/Team ASE No. 71g entry, the winningest driver in USAC/CRA history and the series' 2005 champion bested a record Chili Bowl Nationals field of 274 competitors from 29 different states as well as Canada and Australia as he made his first Chili Bowl main event since finishing tenth in 2003.
"I was just trying to keep the nerves down the whole time, and even during the race at the end it was tough to keep the nerves down and to put in the good laps," Gardner commented afterward.
Dave Darland, who finished a close second, responded that, "I was trying to keep his nerves up there a few times, it didn't work."
Gardner went on to say, "The car was really good when it was pretty tacky all the way across, but it was getting really slick to a curb. And it was right after a yellow, I got in a little too hot and caught the edge of it and spiked it up. I just tried to keep it straight, and when we landed Dave (Darland) was alongside me but he was on the slick and probably gonna get no traction. From then on, I just entered a little lower and tried to put in good smooth laps rather than fast ones."
It was an approach that paid huge dividends in the end for the California native that now resides in Pittsboro, IN.
Saturday's Bass Pro Shops slate of 21 feature events culminated with the 50-lap finale, with Wednesday night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown winner Josh Ford on the pole with Friday night's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying event winner Gardner alongside.
After Brady Bacon, the lone Oklahoma representative in the main event, was shuffled atop the inside berm in turn one to negate the original start, Ford got the edge on Gardner as the pack raced through the opening pair of corners.
Ford, Gardner and Thursday's Warren CAT Qualifier winner Brad Kuhn led the way in the early stages and began to separate themselves from the rest of the 24-car feature field after a handful of laps.
Working his preferred top groove, Gardner began working on Ford for the lead after six laps, only to jump the cushion on the eighth round and lose several car-lengths. Gardner wasted little time reeling Ford back in though, closing to his tail tank by the time they reached lapped traffic on lap ten with the lead trio of Ford, Gardner and Kuhn nearly a straightaway ahead of fourth-running Dave Darland.
A lap later, Gardner charged past Ford for the lead with Kuhn following suit by taking second upon the completion of the eleventh round.
Lap thirteen proved to be unlucky for Kuhn when the lapped car of Terry McCarl got loose in turns one and two and collected the two-time National Midget Driver of the Year. Ford made contact in the melee as well, but somehow managed to squeeze by to reclaim second as the caution flew.
Gardner quickly opened up a half straightaway lead over Ford on the restart, with Darland another half straightaway back in third, only to have the pace interrupted after 16 laps when Kasey Kahne come to a stop in turn three. With smoke billowing from the NASCAR Sprint Cup star's machine over the previous two laps, Kahne retired to the infield.
At the same time, Kuhn reported to the work area and was unable to rejoin the chase, settling for a 22nd place finish in his third career Chili Bowl championship main event.
Ensuing cautions included one after 19 laps for Cole Whitt, who spun in turn four, and then one after 22 laps for a four-car tangle in turn four that included McCarl, Bobby Michnowicz, Nathan High and Billy Wease. Michnowicz and Wease, both making their first career Chili Bowl main event start, were done for the night.
Two laps later, McCarl spun to a stop on the backstretch to bring out another caution. At the same time, Ford jumped the turn two cushion and bicycled before coming to a stop and surrendering the second position.
Darland and fellow Indiana shoe Shane Cottle closed in on Gardner's rear nerf bar on the restart, but Gardner was once again able to open up an advantage of a half dozen car-lengths.
Gardner survived two more cautions over the duration of the race, including the final one after 42 laps when 2007 USAC Midget champion and National Midget Driver of the Year Jerry Coons, Jr., got upside down in a turn four tangle that also involved Whitt and Levi Jones, who had come to an earlier stop on lap 34.
Darland and Cottle gave chase over the final eight-lap charge to Roger Slack's checkered flag, but despite one Gardner bobble in turn four with the white flag in sight, no one was up to the task of overtaking "The Demon" on this night.
Gardner
flashed across the finish line to lay claim to the Golden Driller trophy.
"Jason (Leffler) is really excited, three weeks ago we weren't even going
to do this and hopefully we can take this momentum and continue on through
the year. He got his first car owner trophy, so not too bad."Darland settled for second in Steve Lewis' Ed Pink Toyota-powered Team ASE/Performance Racing Industry No. 9x Spike.
Cottle claimed the show position in Daryl Saucier's Chevy-powered DSR Fuel Systems No. 1st Beast, giving Saucier two cars among the top three finishers as Saucier also wrenched Gardner's winning mount.
After starting twelfth, Bryan Clauson outdueled Jon Stanbrough over the final rounds to claim fourth in the Keith Kunz Motorsports Esslinger-powered No. 67 Bullet.
Stanbrough rounded out the top five in the Loyet Motorsports Esslinger Ford-powered Loyet Landscape Maintenance No. 05s Spike.
After starting 14th, Kevin Swindell climbed to seventh by the midway point and diced with Clauson and Stanbrough over the last half of the race before settling for sixth.
Relegated to the tail after originally starting 21st, the 17-year-old Bacon climbed to eighth by the midway point before falling back several positions after jumping the turn four cushion before the lap 33 caution. Bacon remounted his forward charge and got back up to seventh by the time the checkered flag flew, posting the top passing performance in the feature event by officially gaining 14 positions.
Two-time and defending race winner Tony Stewart crossed the stripe eighth after starting 13th, with TSR teammate and 2005 race winner Tracy Hines advancing from 16th to ninth. Nathan High, the 2007 AMRA champion, charged from 24th to tenth in his first career Chili Bowl championship main event.
Bubba Altig's feature ended before it started. After advancing to the main event by virtue of a fourth-place finish in the second "B" Main, last year's Cinderella Story of the Chili Bowl Nationals smacked the turn one wall as the field warmed up and was unable to take the green flag.
Eight drivers among Saturday night's finale were making their initial championship feature event start, including Swindell, Bacon, High, Levi Jones (eleventh), Jesse Hockett (12th), McCarl (19th), Michnowicz (20th) and Wease (21st).
Saturday's Bass Pro Shops feature action started off with twin "K" Mains, with Steve Davis wiring the first one and then Larry Campbell overtaking Dan Mecum on the fourth round en route to topping the second one.
Joey Fabozzi wired the field in the First "J" Main, with opening lap leader Samantha Taylor regaining the lead for keeps on the seventh round of the Second "J" Main when leader Derrick Myers exited with mechanical problems.
Jonathan Hendrick took over on lap two to top the First "I" Main, with Wayne Johnson and Garry Lee Maier checked out on the field in the non-stop Second "I" Main,
Andy Martin wrestled the lead from David Cardey on the sixth lap of the First "H" Main, with Justin Henderson leading all the way in the Second "H" Main.
Thomas Meseraull blasted past Glenn Carson on the fourth circuit on the way to winning the First "G" Main, while 14-year-old Coleman Gulick battled past tee shirt clad veteran Kevin Olson on the eighth lap to win the Second "G" Main.
Casey Shuman wired the field in "F" Main one, with Dustin Morgan sweeping past Justin Melton on the seventh lap to top the Second "F" Main.
J.J. Yeley raced from 12th to overtake Josh Richards on the seventh round for the win in the First "E" Main, with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., checking out on the field to win the Second "E" Main.
Scott Pierovich led wire-to-wire in the First "D" Main, as Yeley's past alphabet heroics couldn't be repeated after hitting the cone and then later spinning out of contention. P.J. Jones led all the way in the Second "D" Main, fending off several challenges from Brad Sweet.
Don Droud, Jr., won the First "C" Main after escaping a twelve-car melee opening lap melee. Donnie Ray Crawford paced the opening five circuits of the second "C" Main before Levi Jones took command. But Jones was relegated to second when Terry McCarl raced by and waved "good-bye" on the 13th of 15 laps.
Davey Ray and Tony Stewart battled for the lead in the early laps of the First "B" Main before Stewart took command, while Kevin Swindell dominated the Second "B" Main.
Saturday's 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Bass Pro Shops Championship Feature Results
K Mains (10 Lap - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding J Main)
K Main 1: 1. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 2. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 3. #99J Randy Josett, Santa Clarita, CA; 4. #78C David Burdes, Beloit, WI; 5. #9B Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; 6. #83H Jonathon Halford, Tulsa, OK; 7. #1B Scott Crystal, Overland Park, KS; 8. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 9. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 10. #10T T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 11. #6P Trish Dover, Springfield, NE; 12. #15K Brandon Knupp, Troutman, NC; 13. #51W Scott Walton, Inola, OK DNS - #33X Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; #14H Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; #45 Don Hammer, Clinton, IL; #1F Mike Fulper, Cumberland, OH
K Main 2: 1. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 2. #5W Kurt Davis, Milwaukee, WI; 3. #12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL; 4. #22WA Eric Young, Covington, WA; 5. #11D Doug DeWitt, Sunnyvale, CA; 6. #8M Dan Mecum, Marengo, IL; 7. #27C Doug Nunes, Kingsburg, CA; 8. #21S Lee Beckwith, Channahon, IL; 9. #93H Brian Harvey, Sherman, TX; 10. #4M James Sweeney, Placerville, CA; 11. #98D Dave Scroggs, Arvada, CO; 12. #48 Lee Little, Mustang, OK; 13. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, TX; 14. #32K Kirk Kubik, Long Beach, CA; 15. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL DNS - #6E Rafe Essary, Fayetteville, AR; #0K Don O?Keefe Jr., Pittsboro, IN
J Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding I Main)
J Main 1: 1. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 2. #89JR Todd McVay, Lee?s Summit, MO; 3. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 4. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 5. #17X Billy Mentgen, Golden, CO; 6. #75D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 7. #50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, CA; 8. #4R Bobby Ross, St. Joseph, MO; 9. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 10. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 11. #78C David Budres, Beloit, WI; 12. #51C Brent Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 13. #7C Doug Frye, Wheatland, MO; 14. #4C Dalton Cole, Pryor, OK; 15. #10F Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 16. #99J Robby Josett, Santa Clarita, CA
J Main 2: 1. #17S Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 2. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 3. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 4. #31X Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 5. #6J Justin Hendricks, Stillwater, OK; 6. #28 Nathan Smith, Valencia, CA; 7. #5W Kurt Davis, Milwaukee, WI; 8. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 9. #92 Brandon Wagner, Lafayette, IN; 10. #22WA Eric Young, Covington, WA; 11. #12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL; 12. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 13. #175 Brian Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 14. #25X Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 15. #10P Will Pierce, Lee?s Summit, MO; DNS - #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR
I Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding H Main)
I Main 1: 1. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 2. #11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 3. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 4. #33A Chris Coers, Columbus, IN; 5. #5T Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK; 6. #81 Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 7. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 8. #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA; 9. #73E Brian Portschy, Plymouth, WI; 10. #0 Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; 11. #6X Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 12. #99K Kyle Rayburn, Pueblo, CO; 13. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 14. #89JR Todd McVay, Lee?s Summit, MO; 15. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; DNS - #2M Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL
I Main 2: 1. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 2. #73S Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; 3. #87 Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA; 4. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 5. #71N Tim Noble, Madison, WI; 6. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 7. #23 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE; 8. #17S Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WI; 9. #87D Brent Rees, Arvada, CO; 10. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 11. #63 Paul Perkins, Bristol, WI; 12. #31X Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 13. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 14. #7T Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 15. #63R Kyle Robbins, New Castle, IN; 16. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA
H Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding G Main)
H Main 1: 1. #21M Andy Martin, New Holland, PA; 2. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 3. #3 Tracy Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 4. #97B David Cardey, Perris, CA; 5. #1H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 6. #97A Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 7. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 8. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 9. #33A Chris Coers, Columbus, IN; 10. #11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 11. #57K Nick Lundgreen, Brownsburg, IN; 12. #41 Gary Scelzi, Fresno, CA; 13. #19N Nick O?Neal, Wagoner, OK; 14. #68C Matt Covington, Glenpool, OK; 15. #71C Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN; 16. #2B Brady Short, Bedford, IN
H Main 2: 1. #D1 Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; 2. #14S Chris Sheil, Lakewood, CO; 3. #87 Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA; 4. #75H Bart Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #21K Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 7. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 8. #53 Jack Dover, Springfield, NE; 9. #31L Lee Grosz, Harwood, ND; 10. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 11. #73S Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; 12. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 13. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 14. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; DNS - #5S Shon Deskins, Waddell, AZ; #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, IA
G Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding F Main)
G Main 1: 1. #132 Thomas Meseraull, Fresno, CA; 2. #7W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 3. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 4. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 5. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 6. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 7. #4 Michele Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 8. #54 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA; 9. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 10. #9M Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX; 11. #97B David Cardey, Perris, CA; 12. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 13. #13AU Stewart, Friesen, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ONT; 14. #73I Blake Fitzpatrick, West Terre Haute, IN; 15. #3 Tracy Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 16. #21M Andy Martin, New Holland, PA
G Main 2: 1. #00 Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 2. #4KO Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 3. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #75H Bart Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 5. #14S Chris Sheil, Lakewood, CO; 6. #19W Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 7. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 8. #D1 Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; 9. #23W Scott Winters, Butterfield, MN; 10. #87 Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA; 11. #2A Tommy Bryant, Montgomery, TX; 12. #5A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 13. #6Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 14. #13 Jason Dull, Mattoon, IL; 15. #78J Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 16. #52D Derek Hagar, Marion, AR
F Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding E Main)
F Main 1: 1. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 2. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #37J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 4. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 6. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 7. #07 Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 8. #73F Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 9. #27D Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 10. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 11. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, IL; 12. #7W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 13. #17K Kenny Morris, Ripon, CA; 14. #20C C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, CA; 15. #132 Thomas Meseraull, Fresno, CA; DNS - #21AZ Stevie Sussex, Laveen, AZ
F Main 2: 1. #93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK: 2. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 3. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 4. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 5. #7X Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 6. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK: 7. #00 Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 8. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 9. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN; 10. #22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 11. #75H Bart Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 12. #4KO Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 13. #11S Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO; DNS - #17B Kenny Brown, Millstadt, IL; #5C Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, MO; #23J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN
E Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 advance to back of corresponding D Main)
E Main 1: 1. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 2. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 3. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 4. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 5. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #7S Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 7. #7J Jerrod Wilson, Tulsa, OK; 8. #37J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 9. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 10. #7R Blake Miller, Anaheim, CA; 11. #88 Johnathon Henry, Linden, CA; 12. #10H Eric Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA; 13. #09 Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 14. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 15. #34 Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; DNS - #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK
E Main 2: 1. #97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 2. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 4. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 5. #10W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 6. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 7. #39T Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 8. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 9. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 10. #93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 11. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 12. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 13. #7MX Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 14. #3T Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, OH; 15. #19S Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 16. #42 Mike Leslie, Litchfield Park, AZ
D Mains (15 Laps - Top 5 advance to back of corresponding C Main)
D Main 1: 1. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 2. #43 Jeff Bland Jr., Springville, IN; 3. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, CA; 4. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 5. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 7. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 8. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 9. #22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, PA; 10. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 11. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 12. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 13. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 14. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 15. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 16. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA
D Main 2: 1. #05J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 2. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 3. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, VA; 4. #97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 5. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 6. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco, CA; 8. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 9. #39J Jerry Higbie Jr., Slate Hill, NY; 10. #15X Sam Hafertepe, Sunnyvale, CA; 11. #15N Randy Prickett, Fresno, CA; 12. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 13. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 14. #D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 15. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 16. #12H Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA
C Mains (15 Laps - Top 5 advance to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #71D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 2. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 3. #67X Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 4. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 5. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 6. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #43 Jeff Bland Jr., Springville, IN; 8. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, CA; 9. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 10. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 12. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 13. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 14. #39R Randy Hannagan, Pittsboro, IN; 15. #5E Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA; 16. #32 Darren Hagen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 17. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 18. #75X David Gough, Machesney Park, IL: 19. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, Ca; 20. #05B Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA
C Main 2: 1. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 2. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 3. #71B Mark Brown, Glendenning, NSW; 4. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 5. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 6. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 7. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 8. #11T Stan Yockey, Fresno, CA; 9. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, VA; 10. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 11. #05J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 12. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 13. #63N Rex Norris III, Knightstown, IN; 14. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 15. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 16. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 17. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 18. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 19. #97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS DNS - #10 George White, Fort Worth
B Mains (20 Laps - Top 6 in B Main 1 make up final inside 6 rows of A Main, Top 6 in B Main 2 make up final outside 6 rows of A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 2. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 3. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 4. #33 Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 5. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN: 7. #37T Ron Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 8. 5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 9. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 10. #71D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 11. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 12. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 13. #67X Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 14. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 15. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 16. #1AU Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 17. #27B Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 18. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 19. #21A Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 20. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL
B Main 2: 1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 3. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 4. #67A Gary ?Bubba? Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 5. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL: 6. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 7. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 8. #71B Mark Brown, Glendenning, NSW; 9. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL: 10. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, IL; 11. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 12. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 13. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 14. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 15. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL: 16. #5F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 17. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 18. #4E Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 19. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 20. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE
A Main (50 Laps)
1. #71G Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 2. #9X Dave Darland, Walton, IN; 3. #1ST Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 4. #67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 5. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 6. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 7. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 8. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 9. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 10. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 11. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 12. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 13. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 14. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 15. #33 Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 16. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 17. #71K Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 18. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 19. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 20. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 21. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 22. #91 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 23. #71X Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 24. #67A Gary ?Bubba? Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL
By Lonnie Wheatley,
A record total of 274 competitors have duked it out over the course of 76 races entailing 776 laps of spine tingling action since Tuesday night to set the lineups for Saturday's 21 feature events.
A pair of California shoes at are the top of the heap, with Wednesday's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown winner Josh Ford drawing the pole position and Friday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying winner Damion Gardner drawing the front row outside. Thursday's Warren CAT Qualifying winner Brad Kuhn grids Saturday night's "A" Main event inside the second row.
Those unable to take in all the action first hand can still get their fix by listening to the day's early action on www.racinboys.com and then catching the twin "C" and "B" Mains along with the championship "A" Main event live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
A dozen drivers have already locked themselves into the grand finale, with the remaining dozen to be determined through the day's action.
Defending race winner Tony Stewart starts on the front row of the first "B" Main and J.J. Yeley, author of spectacular alphabet runs in the past, starts the day out deep in the field of the first "E" Main.
Those locked in to the main event, and their Chili Bowl backgrounds, include:
Josh Ford (Ventura, CA) - Makes his second main event start in seven tries after adding a Wednesday night win to his 2005 preliminary triumph.
Damion Gardner (Pittsboro, IN) - The California native makes his second start in six attempts and first since 2003.
Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN) - Enjoying his sixth Chili Bowl, Kuhn makes a third consecutive main event start after beginning his streak with a 15th to fourth run in 2006.
Dave Darland (Walton, IN) - Makes his tenth overall Chili Bowl main event start and ninth in a row, not missing the big show since 1999, the same year that current car owner Steve Lewis last appeared at the Chili Bowl (then with Jason Leffler).
Aaron Fiscus (Sun Prairie, WI) - Made the cut for his second Chili Bowl finale in nine tries and the first since 1995.
Jon Stanbrough (Avon, IN) - In his fifth Chili Bowl appearance, makes the grade for Saturday night for the fourth consecutive year and starts out in a better position than ever.
Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA) - Ready for his tenth Chili Bowl main event in 13 tries and third in a row, a runner-up finish ten years ago is the best of three top-tens.
Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ) - Making his ninth championship main event start in a dozen tries, Coons has now made seven of the last eight and will try to crack the top-five, if not take the win, for the first time.
Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN) - Made it as a rookie in 2000 with a runner-up finish and makes his fifth main event start in nine tries after a fourth-place finish last year.
Cole Whitt (Alpine, CA) - Already competing in his third Chili Bowl, the 16-year-old makes his first start in the Big Dance.
Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA) - Making his fifth main event start in nine tries, Kahne has vowed to keep trying until he wins one. Will this be the year?
Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN) - Sitting out last year to recover from injuries, the 18-year-old that is already on NASCAR's fast track makes his first Chili Bowl championship main event start in four attempts.
The Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday slate of events for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is as follows:
A Feature (50 Laps)
73 Josh Ford (Oxnard, CA) - 71g Damion Gardner (Pittsboro, IN)
71x Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN - 9x Dave Darland (Walton, IN)
7F Aaron Fiscus (Sun Prairie, WI - 05s Jon Stanbrough (Avon, IN)
71k Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA) - 11 Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ)
1st Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN) - 71 Cole Whitt (Alpine, CA)
91 Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA) - 67 Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN)
B Feature 1 Transfer 1 - B Feature 2 Transfer 1
B Feature 1 Transfer 2 - B Feature 2 Transfer 2
B Feature 1 Transfer 3 - B Feature 2 Transfer 3
B Feature 1 Transfer 4 - B Feature 2 Transfer 4
B Feature 1 Transfer 5 - B Feature 2 Transfer 5
B Feature 1 Transfer 6 - B Feature 2 Transfer 6
First B Feature (20 Laps - 6 Transfer)
33 Davey Ray (Loves Park, IL) - 20 Tony Stewart (Columbus, IN)
12w Billy Wease (Noblesville, IN) - 29L Jesse Hockett (Warsaw, MO)
49JR Bobby Michnowicz (Torrance, CA) - 37T Ron Shuman (Tempe, AZ)
1au Tim McCreadie (Watertown, NY) - 5* Gary Taylor (Sapulpa, OK)
25 Steve Buckwalter (Royersford, PA - 27b Tony Elliott (Warsaw, IN)
05 Brad Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO) - 21a Danny Stratton (Indianapolis, IN)
69 A.J. Fike (Galesburg, IL) - 99 Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK)
55k Nick Knepper (Belleville, IL) - C Feature 1 Transfer 1
C Feature 1 Transfer 2 - C Feature 1 Transfer 3
C Feature 1 Transfer 4 - C Feature 1 Transfer 5
Second B Feature (20 Laps - 6 Transfer)
39 Kevin Swindell (Germantown, TN) - 4e Bobby East (Brownsburg, IN)
70 Garrett Hansen (Manhattan Beach, CA) - 67a Bubba Altig (Mechanicsburg, IL)
5F Mike Goodman (Tulsa, OK) - 1 Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN)
12 Trey Robb (Newcastle, OK) - 35 Mat Neely (Robinson, IL)
12JR Nathan High (Goodyear, AZ) - 21 Tracy Hines (New Castle, IN)
86c Dave Camfield, Jr. (Decatur, IL) - 17 Chris Windom (Canton, IL)
15 Tim Siner (Waterloo, IL) - 05L Danny Lasoski (Higginsville, MO)
7a Austin Brown (Millstadt, IL) - C Feature 2 Transfer 1
C Feature 2 Transfer 2 - C Feature 2 Transfer 3
C Feature 2 Transfer 4 - C Feature 2 Transfer 5
First C Feature (15 Laps - 5 Transfer)
96 Cody Brewer (Choctaw, OK) - 3c Chris Rahe (Placentia, CA)
71d Don Droud, Jr. (Lincoln, NE) - 39R Randy Hannagan (Pittsboro, IN)
67k Matt Sherrell (Tulsa, OK) - 05b Greg Bragg (Visalia, CA)
75 Josh Wise (Riverside, CA) - 36 Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK)
67x Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) - 5e Danny Ebberts (Canyon Lake, CA)
22s Shane Stewart (Bixby, OK) - 47 Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA)
14 Matt Westfall (Ludlow Falls, OH) - 75x David Gough (Machesney Park, IL)
32 Darren Hagen (Riverside, CA) - D Feature 1 Transfer 1
D Feature 1 Transfer 2 - D Feature 1 Transfer 3
D Feature 1 Transfer 4 - D Feature 1 Transfer 5
Second C Feature (15 Laps - 5 Transfer)
7d Dakoda Armstrong (New Castle, IN) - 55 Donnie Ray Crawford (Broken Arrow, OK)
37 Matt Mitchell (Yorba Linda, CA) - 11w Terry McCarl (Altoona, IA)
20J Levi Jones (Olney, IL) - 1d Dennis Rodriguez (Camarillo, CA)
97k Caleb Armstrong (New Castle, IN) - 63n Rex Norris III (Knightstown, IN)
94 Chad DeSelle (Sun Prairie, WI) - 71b Mark Brown (Glendenning, NSW)
9 Joey Saldana (Brownsburg, IN) - 191 Ryan Durst (Lincoln, NE)
7b Joe Boyles (Greenwood, MO) - 11T Stan Yockey (Fresno, CA)
10 George White (Fort Worth, TX) - D Feature 2 Transfer 1
D Feature 2 Transfer 2 - D Feature 2 Transfer 3
D Feature 2 Transfer 4 - D Feature 2 Transfer 5
First D Feature (15 Laps - 5 Transfer)
22 Ray Bull (Bloomsburg, PA) - 43 Jeff Bland, Jr. (Springville, IN)
35p Scott Pierovich (Alamo, CA) - 51J R.J. Johnson (Phoenix, AZ)
10m Mason Moore (Princeton, CA) - 51s Danny Sheridan (Santa Maria, CA)
14JR Matt Streeter (Galt, CA) - 59 Dex Eaton (Owasso, OK)
44F Frank Polimeda (Fort Lee, NJ) - 8k Chad Kemenah (Alvada, OH)
87c Rich Camfield (Decatur, IL) - 49 Billy Pauch, Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ)
E Feature 1 Transfer 1 - E Feature 1 Transfer 2
E Feature 1 Transfer 3 - E Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second D Feature (15 Laps - 5 Transfer)
30 Chad Boat (Phoenix, AZ) - 05J P.J. Jones (Torrance, CA)
17T Justin Grant (Ione, CA) - 12h Rick Hendrix (Canoga Park, CA)
15x Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX) - 7 Critter Malone (Speedway, IN)
XX Darrin Bolton (El Dorado Hills, CA) - 27 Randy Monroe, Jr. (Hampton, VA)
39J Jerry Higbie, Jr. (Slate Hill, NY) - 49e Brad Sweet (Grass Valley, CA)
d33 Jeff Davis (Pittsburg, IL) - 37b Tyler Brown (Norco, CA)
E Feature 2 Transfer 1 - E Feature 2 Transfer 2
E Feature 2 Transfer 3 - E Feature 2 Transfer 4
First E Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
7J Jerrod Wilson (Tulsa, OK) - 20R Josh Richards (Shinnston, WV)
09 Russ Harper (Indianapolis, IN) - 10h Eric Heydenreich (Bloomsburg, PA)
34 Bob Ream, Jr. (Glendale, AZ) - 91k Kevin Bayer (Broken Arrow, OK)
7s Shannon McQueen (Tehachapi, CA) - 88 Johnathon Henry (Linden, CA)
51 Mike Hess (Riverton, IL) - 7r Blake Miller (Anaheim, CA)
8 Randi Pankratz (Atascadero, CA) - 47x J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ)
F Feature 1 Transfer 1 - F Feature 1 Transfer 2
F Feature 1 Transfer 3 - F Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second E Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
97 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Olive Branch, MS) - 8J Jason Holt (Brownsburg, IN)
3T Tony Beaber (Gibsonburg, OH) - 1x Eddie Martin (Ada, OK)
25m Austin Mero (Kingsburg, CA) - 7mx Michelle Decker (Guthrie, OK)
5d Zach Daum (Pocahontas, IL) - 15n David Prickett (Fresno, CA)
10w Shane Golobic (Fremont, OH) - 19s Troy Rutherfrod (Ojai, CA)
39T Jason Meyers (Clovis, CA) - 42 Mike Leslie (Litchfield Park, AZ)
F Feature 2 Transfer 1 - F Feature 2 Transfer 2
F Feature 2 Transfer 3 - F Feature 2 Transfer 4
-
First F Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
37x Casey Shuman (Tempe, AZ) - 14T Tony Rossi (Brighton, CO)
37J Joe Walker (Harrisonville, MO) - 7m Kevin Ramey (Fort Worth, TX)
85 Shane Hollingsworth (Indianapolis, IN) - 07 Gary Wright (Hooks, TX)
73F Andrew Felker (Carl Junction, MO) - 27d Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA)
86 Justin Allgaier (Springfield, IL) - 21az Stevie Sussex (Laveen, AZ)
17k Kevin Morris (Ripon, CA) - 20c C.J. Sarna (Palm Desert, CA)
G Feature 1 Transfer 1 - G Feature 1 Transfer 2
G Feature 1 Transfer 3 - G Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second F Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
36J Justin Melton (Flower Mound, TX) - 11s Steve Newman (Steamboat Springs, CO)
17b Kenny Brown (Millstadt, IL) - 93 Dustin Morgan (Collinsville, OK)
7p Anthony Peterman (Crawfordsville, IN) - 93c Chett Gehrke (Broken Arrow, OK)
22J Jasiel Randolph (Tulsa, OK) - 50 Daniel Adler (East Carondolet, IL)
5c Joey Montgomery (Fredericktown, MO) - 7x Darren Stewart (Bixby, OK)
23J Jimmy Light (Indianapolis, IN) - 11c Joe Cleveland (Delphos, KS)
G Feature 2 Transfer 1 - G Feature 2 Transfer 2
G Feature 2 Transfer 3 - G Feature 2 Transfer 4
First G Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
26 Glenn Carson (Concord, CA) - 31 Donnie Lehmann (Springfield, IL)
0b Glenn Styres (Ohsweken, ONT) - 9m Doug McCune (Fort Worth, TX)
132 Thomas Meseraull (Fresno, CA) - 13au Stewart Friesen (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ONT)
4 Michele Miller (Birdsboro, PA) - 11R Ryan Cole (Porter, OK)
54 Ryan Smith (Kunkletown, PA) - 73i Blake Fitzpatrick (W. Terre Haute, IN)
7w Brandon Waelti (Sun Prairie, WI) - 8x Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA)
H Feature 1 Transfer 1 - H Feature 1 Transfer 2
H Feature 1 Transfer 3 - H Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second G Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
4ko Kevin Olson (Machesney Park, IL) - 52d Derek Hagar (Marion, AR)
23w Scott Winters (Butterfield, MN) - 5a Bill Allen (Independence, MO)
78J Nick Wean (Phillipsburg, NJ) - 57b Johnny Heydenreich (Indianapolis, IN)
1w Paul White (Temple, TX) = 00 Coleman Gulick (Binghamton, NY)
13 Jason Dull (Mattoon, IL) - 19w Mike Spencer (Temecula, CA)
2a Tommy Bryant (Montgomery, TX) - 6z Jessica Zemken (Sprakers, NY)
H Feature 2 Transfer 1 = H Feature 2 Transfer 2
H Feature 2 Transfer 3 = H Feature 2 Transfer 4
First H Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
97b David Cardey (Perris, CA) - 68c Matt Covington (Glenpool, OK)
3 Tracy Miller (Birdsboro, PA) - 21m Andy Martin (New Holland, PA)
71c Cruz Pedregon (Brownsburg, IN) - 57k Nick Lundgreen (Brownsburg, IN)
2b Brady Short (Bedford, IN) - 41 Gary Scelzi (Fresno, CA)
1h Hunter Schuerenberg (Sikeston, MO) - 19n Nick O'Neal (Wagoner, OK)
97a Alan Ballard (Bakersfield, CA) - 1c Chad McDaniel (Concordia, KS)
I Feature 1 Transfer 1 - I Feature 1 Transfer 2
I Feature 1 Transfer 3 - I Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second H Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
5s Shon Deskins (Waddell, AZ) - 14s Chris Sheil (Lakewood, CO)
2g Terry Goodwin (Phoenix, AZ) - 31L Lee Grosz (Harwood, ND)
d1 Justin Henderson (Sioux Falls, SD) - 21k Ryan Kaplan (Chico, CA)
53 Jack Dover (Springfield, NE) - 6c Josh Most (Red Oak, IA)
112 Brent Beauchamp (Fairland, IN) - 75h Bart Hartman (Zanesville, OH)
1T Tony Roney (Herculaneum, MO) - 12c Rick England (Wichita, KS)
I Feature 2 Transfer 1 - I Feature 2 Transfer 2
I Feature 2 Transfer 3 - I Feature 2 Transfer 4
First I Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
73e Brian Portschy (Plymouth, WI) - 0 Johnny Murdock (Kaufman, TX)
68 Jonathan Hendrick (Fortville, IN) - 5T Randy Timms (Wheatland, OK)
F1 French Grimes (Madison, VA) - 6x Jody Rosenboom (Rock Rapids, IA)
2 Mark Bush (Cumming, GA) - 81 Shane Carson (Yukon, OK)
99k Kyle Rayburn (Pueblo, CO) - 11z Travis Berryhill (American Canyon, CA)
2m Joey Moughan (Springfield, IL) - 33a Chris Coers (Columbus, IN)
J Feature 1 Transfer 1 - J Feature 1 Transfer 2
J Feature 1 Transfer 3 - J Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second I Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
F5 Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) - 73s Garry Lee Maier (Cimarron, KS)
87d Brent Rees (Arvada, CO) - 71n Tim Noble (Madison, WI)
23 Tadd Holliman (Beaver Lake, NE) - 18 Floyd Alvis (San Carlos, CA)
87 Johnny Rodriguez (Elk Grove, CA) - 85J Matt Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK)
64 Brett Miller (Chico, CA) - 7T Eric Todd (Falcon, MO)
63 Paul Perkins (Bristol, WI) - 63R Kyle Robbins (New Castle, IN)
J Feature 2 Transfer 1 - J Feature 2 Transfer 2
J Feature 2 Transfer 3 - J Feature 2 Transfer 4
First J Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
84 Joey Fabozzi (Norco, CA) - 6m Justin Mallo (Cheyenne, WY)
89JR Todd McVay (Lee's Summit, MO) - 75d Andrew Deal (Caney, KS)
50J Jeff Griffin (St. Helena, CA) - 4R Robby Ross (St. Joseph, MO)
17x Billy Mentgen (Golden, CO) - 7c Doug Frye (Wheatland, MO)
37c Colby Copeland (Rossville, CA) - 51c Brent Camarillo (Ventura, CA)
4c Dalton Cole (Pryor, OK) - 10F Kelly Ferrell (Chaplin, CT)
K Feature 1 Transfer 1 - K Feature 1 Transfer 2
K Feature 1 Transfer 3 - K Feature 1 Transfer 4
Second J Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
17s Samantha Taylor (Bonney Lake, WA) - 58 Cole Peard (Quincy, CA)
25x Derrick Myers (Stonington, IL) - 10p Will Pierce (Lee's Summit, MO)
83 Kurt Blackaby (Fayetteville, AR) - 33s Austin Smith (Chino Hills, CA)
92 Brandon Wagner (Lafayette, IN) - 31x Joe Duvall (Chelsea, OK)
11x Ricky Williams (Clinton, OH) - 28 Nathan Smith (Valencia, CA)
175 - Brian Camarillo (Ventura, CA) - 6J Justin Hendricks (Stillwater, OK)
K Feature 2 Transfer 1 - K Feature 2 Transfer 2
K Feature 2 Transfer 3 - K Feature 2 Transfer 4
First K Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
2d Steve Davis (Norco, CA) - 11h Garrett Hood (Concordia, KS)
15b Danny Burke (Houston, TX) - 76 Kellen Conover (Sumner, IL)
99J Robby Josett (Santa Clarita, CA) - 15k Brandon Knupp (Troutman, NC)
9b Cameron Beard (Atwater, CA) - 10T T.J. Smith (Fresno, CA)
1b Scott Crystal (Overland Park, CA) - 33x Scott Fennell (Littleton, CO)
6p Trish Dover (Springfield, NE) - 51w Scott Walton (Inola, OK)
14h Chris Burns (Mustang, OK) - 45 Don Hammer (Clinton, IL)
1F Mike Fulper (Cumberland, OH) - 83h Jonathan Halford (Tulsa, OK)
78c David Budres (Beloit, WI)
Second K Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
8m Dan Mecum (Marengo, IL) - 5w Kurt Davis (Milwaukee, WI)
98d Dave Scroggs (Arvada, CO) - 11d Doug DeWitt (Sunnyvale, CA)
31c Larry Campbell (Van Buren, AR) - 6e Rafe Essary (Fayetteville, AR)
12J Jay Mounce (Downs, IL) - 48 Lee Little (Mustang, OK)
32k Kirk Kubik (Long Beach, CA) - 93h Brian Harvey (Sherman, TX)
21s Lee Beckwith (Channahon, IL) - 0k Don O'Keefe, Jr. (Pittsboro, IN)
35T Tyler Robbins (Collinsville, IL) - 22wa Eric Young (Covington, WA)
27c Doug Nunes (Kingsburg, CA) - 6 Brian Carter (Frisco, TX)
4m James Sweeney (Placerville, CA)
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA,
Okla. (January 11, 2008) - Just when it looked as though Jason Leffler was
going to win Friday night's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying event at Tulsa
Expo Raceway's Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, his hired gun foiled the NASCAR
Nationwide Series' victory plans.California native Damion Gardner, piloting Leffler's Pace Electronics/Team ASE No. 71g, made the top side of the ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center work over the latter stages of the 25-lap feature and swept into the lead on the 22nd lap to snare the win.
"I thought if something was there up top I was gonna go up there late," Gardner commented afterward. "I was pretty sure in one and two but I wasn't sure about three and four, I could get around there pretty good and I just decided I was going to give it a whirl."
Leffler explained how Gardner landed in his Midget, "That car was just sitting in my garage, sitting up on jack stands and I felt bad it's such a nice car. So I called Damion and said, 'Hey, why don't you come get this thing and either bring it back with a trophy or in a bucket'. He got a trophy, so it's good."
Working his way from deep in the field, USAC ace Dave Darland slipped around Leffler on the final round to take second, with Leffler settling for the show position.
NASCAR Sprint Cup star Kasey Kahne batted past Ron Shuman on the 24th circuit to take the fourth and final lock-in position to Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event.
Gardner, Darland, Leffler and Kahne join Wednesday night's top four (Josh Ford, Aaron Fiscus, Jerry Coons, Jr., and Bryan Clauson) and Thursday's top four (Brad Kuhn, Jon Stanbrough, Shane Cottle and Cole Whitt) as the dozen drivers locked into Saturday night's main event, which will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View. The balance of the record 274 competitors will battle it out for the remaining dozen starting positions through Saturday's Bass Pro Shops slate of Chili Bowl championship feature events, which get under way at 1:00 p.m.
Starting from the pole position, Leffler outgunned Gardner for the lead at the drop of the green flag, with third-starter Cory Kruseman quickly taking over second. Kruseman, a two-time Chili Bowl champion, slipped underneath Leffler in turns one and two on the third lap and paced the field much of the way.
With most of the field working the low portion of the track, 14th-starter Darland was the first to try out the top side. And Darland's experimentation began to pay dividends following a lap 14 caution for Australia's Mark Brown, who slid to a stop in turn two while running fifth.
With Kruseman leading Leffler, Don Droud, Jr., and Gardner, Darland needed just two laps to climb from eighth to fifth and into the lead mix. Darland briefly surged ahead of Gardner upon the completion of the 18th lap, but Gardner quickly changed his line and used the top to reclaim fourth.
Meanwhile, Kruseman's bid for a sixth career Chili Bowl preliminary feature win began to unravel. Leffler raced back into the lead exiting turn two on the 19th lap, then Kruseman spun a half lap later after brushing wheels with the charging Gardner, collecting Droud in the melee.
Set for a six-lap charge to the checkered flag, Leffler fought off Gardner for several rounds before "The Demon's" top side tenacity paid off with the winning move on the 22nd lap.
Up to third on the final restart, Darland made his way past Leffler on the last lap to take runner-up honors in Steve Lewis' Ed Pink Toyota-powered Team ASE/Performance Racing Industry No. 9x Spike, qualifying for his ninth consecutive Chili Bowl main event.
About taking to the top of the track, Darland explained that, "We had the car set up to run up top if we had to, I just had to go up there and see what was up there. Just running around there in eighth or ninth I wasn't going to lose much by going up there and trying it, so I decided to take a chance and it worked pretty good."
Leffler was third in the Toyota-powered Keith Kunz Motorsports No. 71k Bullet, becoming the third Kunz entry to lock into Saturday night's main event.
"I
could hear him out there, I knew he (Gardner) was running second on that
last yellow," Leffler explained. "Where I was at, it'll take you a
lap-and-a-half or two laps to figure the top out and by then you'd get
slid three or four times so I knew if I hit my marks there I'd probably
lose the race but I'd at least get into the "A" Feature. I hate getting
beat and I hate really getting beat on the top, but you do what you have
to do." The battle for the fourth and final lock-in position was a wild one over the final rounds, with Ron Shuman coming off a ten-year retirement and holding the position until Kahne soared by with the white flag in sight. Kahne held on to claim fourth in the Mopar-powered Kasey Kahne Racing Budweiser No. 91 Spike.
"I was sliding around so much, I wasn't going anywhere on the bottom so once Darland got by me I tried it (the high groove) for a little bit then I missed it and got passed again," Kahne explained. "Just at the end it worked out and we got a few cars there to get into the race."
Charging from 15th, Kevin Swindell rounded out the top five, with Billy Wease and Bubba Altig next across the line as Shuman slipped back to eighth. After winning his "B" Main, 15-year-old Trey Robb raced from 18th to ninth, with Steve Buckwalter completing the top ten.
Tracy Hines, the 2005 Chili Bowl champion, finished just outside the top ten in eleventh.
After advancing from Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event, 15-year-old Caleb Armstrong was the only rookie to make the cut for Friday night's feature field and finished 19th.
Battling among the top five in the early stages, Darren Hagen flipped in turn two on lap six to become the race's first casualty.
Austin Mero, Mark Brown, Buckwalter, Darland, Dex Eaton, Kruseman, Leffler, Greg Bragg and Jeff Bland, Jr., topped heat race action for Friday night's 66-car field.
Kevin Morris, Darren Stewart, Kevin Swindell and Jason Holt each won Last Chance Races, with Droud, Gardner, Shuman and Hagen victorious in the Qualifying Races.
Hines and Robb topped the twin "B" Mains.
Late Model ace Josh Richards went for a wild ride turn four on the opening lap of the second heat race, but was able to return for later action. Other heat race flippers included Anthony Peterman, Kyle Rayburn, Andy Martin and Holt, with Hunter Schuerenberg taking a wild tumble down the frontstretch on the opening lap of the first Last Chance Race. Wayne Johnson got upside down in that melee as well.
Rich Camfield and Caleb Armstrong flipped in Qualifying Race action, with Johnathon Henry getting upside down in a "B" Main.
There were no injuries.
Saturday's slate of Bass Pro Shops championship feature events consists of 21 events, with the first of two "K" Mains set to go green at 1:00 p.m.
Friday Night's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying Event Results from the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Heat Races (Top 40 in passing points to four A Qualifiers; Balance to four Last Chance races)
Heat 1: 1. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 2. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 3. #15X Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 4. #34 Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 5. #11S Steve Newman, Steamboat, CO; 6. #13 Jason Dull; 7. #11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 8. #54 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA
Heat 2: 1. #71B Mark Brown, Glendenning, NSW; 2. #67A Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 3. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 4. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 5. #05J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 6. #64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA; 7. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 8. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV
Heat 3: 1. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 2. #37T Ron Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 3. #21A Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 5. #21 Tracy Hines, Newcastle, IN; 6. #3 Tracy Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 7. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 8. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL
Heat 4: 1. #9X Dave Darland, Walton, IN; 2. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, IL; 4. #88 Johnathon Henry, Linden, CA; 5. 399K Kyle Rayburn, Pueblo, CO; 6. #23W Scott Winters, Butterfield, MN; 7. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ
Heat 5: 1. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 2. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 3. #91 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 4. #39T Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 5. #7X Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 6. #9M Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX; 7. #21M Andy Martin, New Holland, PA
Heat 6: 1. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 2. #71G Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 3. #71D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 4. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 5. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, CA; 6. #5A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 7. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO
Heat 7: 1. #71K Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 2. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, Newcastle, IN; 3. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 4. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 5. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #1H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 7. #19W Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA
Heat 8: 1. #05B Gregg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 2. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 3. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, VA; 4. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 5. #17K Kenny Morris, Ripon, CA; 6. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 7. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK
Heat 9: 1. #43 Jeff Bland Jr., Springville, IN; 2. #67K Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 3. #32 Darren Hagan, Riverside, CA; 4. #27D Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 5. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #73I Blake Fitzpatrick, West Terre haute, IN; 7. #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, IA
Last Chance Races (Top 2 in each transfer to back of corresponding A Qualifier)
Last Chance 1: 1. #17K Kevin Morris, Ripon, CA; 2. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 3. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, ONT; 4. #19W Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 5. #3 Tracy Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 6. #112 Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN. DNS: #99k Kyle Rayburn, Pueblo, CO
Last Chance 2: 1. #7X Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 2. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 3. #23W Scott Winters, Butterfield, MN; 4. #73I Blake Fitzpatrick, West Terre Haute, IN; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #1H Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 7. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK
Last Chance 3: 1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, CA; 3. #9M Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX; 4. #13 Jason Dull, Mattoon, IL; 5. #21M Andy Martin, New Holland, PA; 6. #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, IA
Last Chance 4: 1. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 3. #5A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 4. #54 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA DNS - #11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 64 Brett Miller, Chico, CA
A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #71D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 2. #71K Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 3. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 4. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 5. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 6. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 7. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, VA; 8. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 9. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 10. #27D Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 11. #17K Kevin Morris, Ripon, CA; 12. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV
A Qualifier 2: 1. #71G Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 2. #67A Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 3. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 4. #67X Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 5. #21 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 6. #34 Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 7. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 8. #7X Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 9. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 10. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 11. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 12. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL
A Qualifier 3: 1. #37T Ron Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 2. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 3. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 4. #9X Dave Darland, Walton, IN; 5. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 6. #21A Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 7. #15X Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 8. #43 Jeff Bland Jr., Springville, IN; 9. #88 Johnathon Henry, Linden, CA; 10. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, CA; 11. #11X Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO; 12. #39T Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA
A Qualifier 4: 1. #32 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 2. #91 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 3. #71B Mark Brown, Glendenning, NSW; 4. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 5. #05B Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 6. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, IL; 7. #05J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 8. #D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 9. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 10. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 11. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 12. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA
B Mains (Top 4 advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #21 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 2. #21A Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, IL; 4. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 5. #43 Jeff Bland Jr., Springville, IN; 6. #15X Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX; 7. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 8. #D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 9. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 10. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 11. #88 Johnathon Henry, Linden, CA; 12. #39T Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 13. #14T Tony Rossi, Brighton, CO; 14. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 15. #27D Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 16. #17K Kevin Morris, Ripon, CA
B Main 2: 1. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 2. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 4. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 5. #05J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 6. #10M Mason Moore, Princeton, CA; 7. #27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, VA; 8. #87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 9. #8J Jason Holt, Brownsburg, IN; 10. #34 Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 11. #15N David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 12. #8 Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, CA; 13. #11X Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO; 14. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 15. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 16. #7X Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK
A Main (25 laps - Top 4 advance to Saturday Night?s Main Event)
1. #71G Damion Gardner, Pittsboro, IN; 2. #9X Dave Darland, Walton, IN; 3. #71k Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 4. #91 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 5. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 6. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 7. #67A Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 8. #37T Ron Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 9. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 10. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 11. #21 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 12. #21A Danny Stratton, Indianapolis, IN; 13. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, IL; 14. #55K Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 15. #7D Dakoda Armstrong, Newcastle, IN; 16. #71D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 17. #11W Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 18. #05B Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 19. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 20. #67X Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 21. #71B Mark Brown, Glendenning, NSW; 22. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 23. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 24. #32 Darren Hagen, Manhattan Beach, CA
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA, Okla.
(January 10, 2008) - A two-time National Midget Driver of the Year, Brad
Kuhn perhaps ranks amongst the most underrated Midget chauffeurs in the
country.But the Avon, IN, racer wasted little time making his presence known at Tulsa Expo Raceway's 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals in the QuikTrip Center, solidly establishing himself as one of the favorites to win this year's event by wiring the field in Thursday night's 25-lap Warren CAT Qualifying feature event.
Starting from the pole position, Kuhn outgunned Shane Cottle for the lead at the outset and paced the field throughout in a race that featured just one quick caution period to score his first Chili Bowl preliminary feature win aboard Dr. Kenneth Love's Stanton Mopar-powered Hoosier/Simpson/Barnes Oil Systems No. 71x Spike chassis.
"I know the right people are here tonight, it's the right time to shine," Kuhn commented at the post-race press conference.
Jon Stanbrough made a late move to snare runner-up honors, with Cottle giving Hoosier State racers a sweep of the podium by finishing third. Sixteen-year-old California native Cole Whitt made a lap 20 pass of defending Chili Bowl champion Tony Stewart to snare the fourth and final lock-in position to Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event.
Stewart rounded out the top five and will start from the front row of one of Saturday night's "B" Main events as he tries to become the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl history.
Kuhn dazzled the capacity crowd early on, treading about the top side of the track to climb from fourth in the final laps to win the night's ninth and final heat race. A quick charge from sixth to second in his qualifier assured him the pole position for the feature event.
Kuhn took off at the outset of the main event, with fellow front row starter Cottle giving chase as fourth-starter Stewart battled past Stanbrough for third on the second lap. With Cottle staying within several car-lengths of the leader, Stanbrough reclaimed third from Stewart by the time lapped traffic came into play on the tenth round.
Kuhn made just one bobble along the way when he got loose in turn two on the 16th lap, allowing Cottle to close to his tail tank. But when the race's only caution appeared one lap later for a turn three tangle involving Chad DeSelle and Matt Sherrell, Kuhn once again had open track.
"I was trying to run 25 laps with no mistakes," Kuhn explained after one mistake cost him a win in last year's preliminary action. "I did mess up one time in the middle of the race and I thought Shane was gonna get me, it was one mistake but it didn't cost me."
Kuhn once again
opened up a several car-length advantage on the restart, as Cottle was
left to fend off Stanbrough for second with the lapped car of Shane
Stewart in the mix as well. Finding the top side to his liking, Stewart
made his way past Cottle and tried to reel in the leader in an effort to
unlap himself.Meanwhile, Stanbrough battled past Cottle for second on the 23rd lap and tried to mount a charge on Kuhn. That charged was derailed by the lapped car and Stanbrough settled for second aboard the Loyet Motorsports Esslinger Ford-powered Loyet Landscape Maintenance No. 05s Spike.
"He should have got out of the way, his race was over," Stanbrough commented. "I love coming here and I'm really excited to be in the show, but I'm gonna have to go back to the pits and control myself because I really want to go punch him in the mouth."
"I don't know if I could have had anything for Brad," the winner of 30 Sprint Car features in 2008 continued. "I don't know how many times I've finished second in a Midget and I'm dying to get a win and I think we might have had an opportunity tonight."
Cottle, a preliminary feature winner at last year's Chili Bowl, settled for third aboard Daryl Saucier's Chevy-powered DSR Fuel Systems No. 1st Beast.
A runner-up finisher in his Chili Bowl debut in 2000, Cottle explained that, "I guess it (Tulsa Expo Raceway) kinda suits my driving style, back in 2000 it was kinda neat to be a rookie here and finish second and ever since then I've liked it here."
Running eighth at the lap 17 caution, Whitt took to the top side and needed just one lap to dispose of Garrett Hansen, Nathan High and Sammy Swindell to climb to fifth. Whitt reeled in Stewart two laps later and took the fourth position for keeps aboard the Keith Kunz Motorsports Esslinger-powered Red Bull No. 71 Bullet.
With the lapped car in play, Whitt didn't even realize he had reached the fourth position. "I was so far back on that yellow, and coming through the field I didn't know that we had lapped traffic. I thought they were pointing me to the infield just for running top five then Keith (Kunz) came over and said, 'Hey, we're locked in!' He points up at the leader board and we're in fourth, so this is the first Chili Bowl that we've been locked in on Saturday so I'm excited."
Tony Stewart rounded out the top five, with Hansen in sixth. Bobby Michnowicz claimed seventh, with four-time Chili Bowl winner Sammy Swindell, SMRS Midget champion Gary Taylor and AMRA Midget champion Nathan High completing the top ten.
Teamed with Stanbrough, Brad Loyet turned in the feature's top passing performance by climbing from 18th to eleventh.
A pair of Chili Bowl rookies made the feature cut, with Dennis Rodriguez in 18th and George White the race's first of two casualties, credited with 24th.
Transferring from Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event, Austin Brown raced his way into Thursday night's feature and posted a 14th-place finish.
Chris Rahe, Tony Stewart, Cottle, Michnowicz, Brady Bacon, Scott Pierovich, Billy Pauch, Jr., Jerry Higbie, Jr., and Kuhn topped heat race action for Thursday night's 72-car field.
Loyet, Michelle Decker, Frank Polimeda and Jonathan Beason claimed Last Chance Race wins, with Stanbrough, Cottle, High and Hansen winning the Qualifying Races.
Rahe and Loyet took "B" Main honors.
Garry Lee Maier tipped over in heat race action, with Cruz Pedregon and Tadd Holliman getting upside down in the Last Chance races.
Qualifying race action featured seven flips, with Pierovich, Pauch, Decker, Justin Allgaier, Sherrell, Joe Cleveland and Kenny Brown all turning over.
There were no injures.
Friday night's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying event, the third and final qualifying night at the 22nd Chili Bowl Nationals, fires off with the first heat race set to go green at 5:45 p.m.
Thursday Night's Warren CAT Qualifying Event Results from the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Heat Races (Top 40 in passing points to four A Qualifiers; Balance to four Last Chance races)
Heat 1: 1. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, CA; 2. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 3. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 4. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 5. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #42 Mike Leslie, Litchfield Park, AZ; 7. #19N Nick O?Neal, Wagoner, OK; 8. #7W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI
Heat 2: 1. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 2. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 3. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 4. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 5. #09 Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 6. #23J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 7. #D1 Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; 8. #132 Thomas Meseraull, Fresno, CA
Heat 3: 1. #1ST Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 2. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 3. #10W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 4. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 5. #3T Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, OH; 6. #2A Tommy Bryant, Montgomery, TX; 7. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 8. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA
Heat 4: 1. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 2. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 3. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, IL; 4. #37J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 5. #57K Nick Lundgreen, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #6Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 7. #97A Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 8. #6X Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA
Heat 5: 1. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #95 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 3. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 4. #07 Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 5. #78J Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 6. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 7. #13AU Stewart Friesen, Niagara on the Lake, ONT; 8. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN
Heat 6: 1. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 2. #17B Kenny Brown, Millstadt, IL; 3. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 4. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 5. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 6. #31L Lee Grosz, Harwood, ND; 7. #23 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE; 8. #0 Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX
Heat 7: 1. #49 Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 2. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 3. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 4. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco, CA; 5. #5C Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, MO; 6. #8K Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 7. #7T Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 8. #73S Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS
Heat 8: 1. #39J Jerry Higbie Jr., Slate Hill, NY; 2. #75X David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 3. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 4. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 6. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #71C Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN; 8. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN
Heat 9: 1. #71X Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 2. #10 George White, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 4. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 5. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 6. #7MX Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 7. #75H Bart Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 8. #87D Brent Rees, Arvada, CO
Last Chance Races (Top 2 in each transfer to back of corresponding A Qualifier)
Last Chance 1: 1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #132 Thomas Meseraull, Fresno, CA; 4. #6Z Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, NY; 5. #31L Lee Grosz, Harwood, ND; 6. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 7. #0 Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; DNS - #7T Eric Todd, Falcon, MO
Last Chance 2: 1. #7MX Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 2. #42 Mike Leslie, Litchfield Park, AZ; 3. #78J Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 4. #8X Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 5. #71C Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #97A Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 7. #73S Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; 8. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA
Last Chance 3: 1. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 2. #09 Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #13AU Stewart Friesen, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ONT; 4. #2A Tommy Bryant, Montgomery, TX; 5. #D1 Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; 6. #75H Bart Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 7. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 8. #6X Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA
Last Chance 4: 1. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #23J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #57B Johnny Heydenreich, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #7W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 5. #57K Nick Lundgreen, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #19N Nick O'Neal, Wagoner, OK; 7. #87D Brent Rees, Arvada, CO; 8. #23 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE
A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 2. #71X Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 3. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 4. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 5. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 6. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 7. #37J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 8. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 9. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 10. #5C Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, MO; 11. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 12. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA
A Qualifier 2: 1. #1ST Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 2. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 3. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 4. #10 George White, Fort Worth, TX; 5. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 6. #07 Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 7. #93 Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 8. #10W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 9. #7MX Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 10. #42 Mike Leslie, Litchfield Park, AZ; 11. #3T Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, OH; 12. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ
A Qualifier 3: 1. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 2. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 3. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, IN; 4. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 5. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, CA; 6. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 8. #09 Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 9. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 10. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 11. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 12. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, IL
A Qualifier 4: 1. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 2. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 3. #94 Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 4. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 5. #39J Jerry Higbie Jr., Slate Hill, NY; 6. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #75X David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 8. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 9. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco, CA; 10. #23J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 11. #17B Kenny Brown, Millstadt, IL; 12. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS
B Mains (Top 4 advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, CA; 2. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 4. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, CA; 6. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 7. #44F Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, NJ; 8. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco, CA; 9. #09 Russ Harper, Indianapolis, IN; 10. #7MX Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 11. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, IL; 12. #42 Mike Leslie, Litchfield Park, AZ; 13. #37J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 14. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 15. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, IL; 16. #23J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN
B Main 2: 1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. #75X David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 3. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 4. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 5. #17T Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 6. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 7. #39J Jerry Higbie Jr., Slate Hill, NY; 8. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 9. #3T Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, OH; 10. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, OK; 11. #10W Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 12. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 13. #17B Kenny Brown, Millstadt, IL; 14. #07 Gary Wright, Hooks, TX; 15. #5C Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, MO DNS - #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS
A Main (25 laps - Top 4 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
1. #71K Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 2. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 3. #1ST Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 4. #71 Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 5. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 6. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 7. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, CA; 8. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 9. #5* Gary Taylor, Sapulpa, OK; 10. #12JR Nathan High, Goodyear, AZ; 11. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 12. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 13. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 14. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 15. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, CA; 16. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 17. #67K Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 18. #1D Dennis Rodriguez, Camarillo, CA; 19. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 20. Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, WI; 21. #22S Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 22. #191 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 23. #75X David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 24. #10 George White, Fort Worth, TX
Saturday, January 12 from Tulsa, Okla.
Live on HBO Pay-Per-View
From Motorsports Management,
TULSA, OKLAHOMA (January 9, 2008) - Don't blame regular
attendees of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals for feeling a bit
spoiled. After all, each January they have come to expect the very best
dirt-track drivers in America taking to the tight quarter-mile oval inside
the Tulsa QuikTrip Center for one of the most-talked-about events of every
motorsports season.This year's Chili Bowl, with qualifications running all this week culminating with a climactic Saturday night final televised live via pay-per-view, will be no different. What two-time winner and NASCAR champion Tony Stewart calls a racing "all-star game" has again drawn the cream of the dirt-track crop to Oklahoma with a record 286 posted entries.
Stewart himself professes to being amazed by the depth of talent he faces when he competes at the Chili Bowl. "This the only place that you can take the best Midget drivers from USAC and Badger [Midget Auto Racing Association], and guys in the Rocky Mountain Midget Association, guys from USAC Sprint Cars and Silver Crown Cars and the World of Outlaws, all the best in dirt open wheel racing," Stewart marvels. "Those drivers are all at one place for the weekend, and when you've got [all those] guys competing for just the 24 starting spots in the A-Main, you have some of the best racing that you're going see all year all in one week at the Chili Bowl."
Stewart isn't exaggerating about the talent level. Following last night's pre-qualifying feature, the entry list is essentially broken into thirds for three nights of "qualifying" programs, each featuring a series of heat races, dash-type events and preliminary features. As is customary at the Chili Bowl, each of these preliminary nights will contain a cluster of names which at any other event would have promoters smiling and race fans grinning in delight.
Drivers scheduled to compete on Wednesday evening include two-time defending USAC Midget Jerry Coons Jr., former World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Car champion Danny "The Dude" Lasoski, 2007 USAC Sprint Car champion Levi Jones, former USAC Sprint Car and Midget champ Josh Wise, 2007 USAC Sprint and Midget Rookie of the Year Ricky Stenhouse, 2007 WoO points runner-up Joey Saldana, legendary Midget veteran Kevin Olson, USAC graduate and NASCAR up-and-comer Bryan Clauson, and surprise 2006 Chili Bowl winner Tim McCreadie, one of America?s top dirt-track stock car pilots.
Thursday night's entry list is topped by Tony Stewart and four-time Chili Bowl winner Sammy Swindell, National Non-Wing Sprint Car Driver of the Year Jon Stanbrough, 2007 Badger champion Brad Kuhn, USAC Sprint and Silver Crown contender Shane Cottle, USAC Silver Crown champion Bud Kaeding, ?07 Chili Bowl podium finisher Justin Allgaier, Oklahoma favorite and USAC speedster Brady Bacon, teenaged Bay Cities Racing Association champion Justin Grant, Chili Bowl veteran Johnny Heydenreich, and NASCAR Cup regular J.J. Yeley, always one of the most thrilling drivers inside the Tulsa Expo Center.
Kasey Kahne is scheduled to headline the Friday field, joined by 2005 Chili Bowl winner Tracy Hines, USAC multi-division champion Dave Darland, Indianapolis 500 veteran P.J. Jones, Busch Series contender and former USAC champ Jason Leffler, winged Sprint Car star Terry McCarl, California Sprint Car hero Damion Gardner, WoO winner Jason Myers, former USAC Midget champ and current NASCAR shoe Bobby East, and one of the Chili Bowl?s most popular drivers each January, two-time winner Cory Kruseman.
Come the final night, Saturday, Jan. 12, the best of that bunch will be slugging it out in the prestigious A-Main, and one very lucky racer will be standing tall as a Chili Bowl champion.
ABOUT CHILI BOWL TELECAST:
Don't miss a minute! HBO Pay-Per-View presents the live, with no commercials, television broadcast of the 2008 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8:00 pm ET (5:00 pm PT). The HBO Pay-Per-View telecast has a suggested retail price of $24.95, and will be available to all cable and satellite homes throughout the US and Canada. Order directly from your digital cable or satellite TV system or contact your provider's customer service for details. A subscription to HBO is not required. Visit http://www.hbo.com./events/chili.
On Friday, January 11 at 10:30 pm ET (7:30 pm PT), racing fans can log on to NASCAR.com and Foxsports.com to watch a free live video webcast of the final night of qualifications.
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA, Okla. (January 9, 2008) - California's Josh Ford
outdueled Davey Ray over the early rounds before slipping away from the
field over the last half of the race to win Wednesday night's 25-lap Creek
Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown feature event at the 22nd Annual Dodge
Chili Bowl Nationals atop the Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval.Working the top side of the track masterfully, Ford surged into the lead upon the completion of the eighth lap and led the rest of the way aboard Keith Ford's Bob Wirth-powered Berry Pack/VMAR/BR Motorsports No. 73 JFM-chassis for his second career Chili Bowl preliminary feature win.
"Just winning that first heat race got the crew real pumped up and once you get that going sometimes it works in your advantage," Ford commented. "It's gonna be real nice not having to worry about getting in that "A" Main Saturday and just being able to focus on racing that."
Aaron Fiscus scrambled back from Last Chance Race action to snare runner-up honors in front of National Midget Driver of the Year Jerry Coons, Jr., with Bryan Clauson making a last-lap move around Ray to take the fourth and final lock-in position to Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event.
Ray earned the pole position for the main event by accumulating the most points through heat and qualifying race action, with Ford gridding the field on his outside shoulder. Ray gunned into the early lead, leading the pack of off turn two.
But Ford turned up the heat in short order, racing by on the high side exiting turn two on the third lap for the lead only to have the move negated when two-time USAC Sprint Car champion Levi Jones slid to a stop in turn four.
Following the race's second and final caution one lap later for Joey Saldana, Ray and Ford battled in side-by-side fashion over the next five laps with Coons nipping on their heels all the while.
With Ray hugging the low line and Ford riding the cushion around the ¼-mile oval, Ford finally got a strong run off of turn four to take command on the eighth lap. Coons followed suit, racing past Ray the next time around and set his sights on Ford, only to bicycle in turn four on the tenth lap and fell to fourth behind Ford, Ray and Clauson.
"The track kinda changed as the race went on and just got a little tight I guess," Coons commented. "Once you lose track position you're fighting to pass cars, you're not just out there cruising by yourself so the car drives a little different and a little different attitude."
Out front, Ford gradually slipped away from the field and, despite
encountering lapped traffic by the midway point, streaked to the checkered
flag with nearly a straightaway advantage.The action behind him was intense throughout, with Ray holding off Clauson, Fiscus and Coons for second until the 19th circuit, when Fiscus flew by to take the position. Coons took third from Ray a lap later, putting the Badger Midget shoe on the hot seat in front of Clauson, who had lost a pair of positions several laps earlier when he also tripped over the turn four cushion.
Fiscus held off Coons over the final laps to take second in James Fiscus' Esslinger-powered AFS/Fitchburg Plumbing/Ferguson Enterprises No. 7F Spike, with Coons taking the show position in the Wilke-PAK Motorsports Mopar-powered Speedway Motors/Kwik Change No. 11 Spike.
"I'm tickled to be here on this night knowing that on Saturday we can sit back and relax and do the best we can on the main race," Fiscus explained. "It's a dogfight here, I did it to myself in the earlier race when I jumped the berm trying to win the thing and went from second to fifth and ended up fighting back through from that Last Chance race. To be here is just awesome."
Making his first dirt track start since September of 2006, 18-year-old Clauson made a critical last lap move to snare fourth in the Keith Kunz Motorsports Esslinger-powered No. 67 Bullet.
"After being off the dirt for so long, it took me a hot lap session or two to really get comfortable hustling the car," Clauson commented after locking himself into his first career Chili Bowl championship main event. "We weren't real bad when we started, just not quite where we needed to be. We just kept getting better all night and I think if we can keep it going we'll keep getting better and better with more laps."
Ray settled for fifth, one spot shy of a guaranteed starting berth in Saturday night's championship main event, with Bobby East next across the line in sixth.
After winning the first "B" Main, Jesse Hockett charged from 17th to seventh, with Mike Goodman, 2006 Chili Bowl champion Tim McCreadie and 22nd starter Mat Neely completing the top ten.
After landing a ride on Monday night aboard one of the Clifton Blackwell entries that enabled him to compete in his eleventh Chili Bowl Nationals, Tony Elliott finished just outside the top ten in eleventh.
Donnie Ray Crawford, last year's top finishing rookie at the Chili Bowl Nationals, claimed 16th in the feature. No 2008 rookies made Wednesday night's feature.
Heat race wins for Wednesday night's 75-car field were claimed by Chad Kemenah, Ray, Neely, Stan Yockey, Ford, Kevin Ramey, Danny Ebberts, McCreadie, Goodman and Dustin Morgan.
Matt Streeter, Jerrod Wilson, Fiscus and C.J. Sarna each scored Last Chance race wins, with Levi Jones, Coons, Ray and East winning the Qualifying Races.
Hockett won an eventful first "B" Main in which several potential transfers encountered late trouble, with A.J. Fike topping the second "B" Main.
The night got off to a rough start for Derek Hagar, who took a hard tumble in hot laps. Hagar returned for the night's action.
Chad McDaniel got upside down in the fifth heat and returned for later action as well. After his heat race win, Morgan flipped in his Qualifier while Stevie Sussex and Kemenah flipped simultaneously in the next Qualifying Race. Sarna flipped in the final Qualifier, with Andrew Felker turning over in turn one in the first "B" Main. There were no injuries.
Wednesday Night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown Results from the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Heat Races (Top 40 in passing points to four A Qualifiers; Balance to four Last Chance races)
Heat 1: 1. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 2. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AR; 3. #19S Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 4. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 5. #81 Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 6. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 7. #5S Shon Deskins, Waddell, AZ; 8. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS
Heat 2: 1. #33 Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 2. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 3. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #73F Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 5. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 6. #5T Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK DNS - #71N Tim Noble, Madison, WI; #2M Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL
Heat 3: 1. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 2. #4E Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 4. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 5. #7R Blake Miller, Anaheim, CA; 6. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 7. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 8. #73E Brian Portschy, Plymouth, WI
Heat 4: 1. #11T Stan Yockey, Fresno, CA; 2. #12H Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA; 3. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 4. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #7J Jerrod Wilson, Tulsa, OK; 6. #20C C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, CA; 7. #21K Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; 8. #4 Michele Miller, Birdsboro, PA
Heat 5: 1. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 2. #39R Randy Hannagan, Pittsboro, IN; 3. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 4. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 5. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 6. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 7. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 8. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS
Heat 6: 1. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 2. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 4. #63N Rex Norris III, Knightstown, IN; 5. #10H Eric Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA; 6. #97B David Cardey, Perris, CA; 7. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK
Heat 7: 1. #5E Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA; 2. #27B Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 3. #21AZ Stevie Sussex, Laveen, AZ; 4. #97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 5. #22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 6. #00 Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, AZ; 7. #53 Jack Dover, Springfield, NE
Heat 8: 1. #1AU Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 2. #7S Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 3. #22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, PA; 4. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 5. #41 Gary Scelzi, Fresno, CA; 6. #4KO Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 7. #2B Brady Short, Bedford, IN
Heat 9: 1. #5F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 2. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 3. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 4. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 5. #87 Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA; 6. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 7. #14S Chris Sheil, Lakewood, CO
Heat 10: 1. #93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 2. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 4. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 5. #68C Matt Covington, Glenpool, OK; 6. #52D Derek Hagar, Marion, AR; 7. #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA
Last Chance Races (Top 2 in each transfer to back of corresponding A Qualifier)
Last Chance 1: 1. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 2. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 3. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, CA; 4. #00 Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 5. #97B David Cardey, Perris, CA; 6. #41 Gary Scelzi, Fresno, CA; 7. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 8. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; #9. #2 Mark Bush, Cumming, GA
Last Chance 2: 1. #7J Jerrod Wilson, Tulsa, OK; 2. #7R Blake Miller, Anaheim, CA; 3. #4KO Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 4. #11R Ryan Cole, Pryor, OK; 5. #5S Shon Deskins, Waddell, AZ; 6. #53 Jack Dover, Springfield, NE; 7. #12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 8. #71N Mark Noble, Madison, WI; 9. #87 Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, CA
Last Chance 3: 1. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 2. #10H Eric Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA; 3. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 4. #1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 5. #68C Matt Covington, Glenpool, OK; 6. #2B Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 7. #73E Brian Portschy, Plymouth, WI; 8. #5T Randy Timms, Wheatland, OK; DNS - #2M Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL
Last Chance 4: 1. #20C C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, CA; 2. #22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 3. #52D Derek Hagar, Marion, AR; 4. #4 Michele Miller, Birdsboro, PA; 5. #14S Chris Sheil, Lakewood, Co; 6. #21K Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA; DNS - #81 Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK
A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 2. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 3. #5F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 4. #86C Dave Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 5. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 6. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 7. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 8. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 9. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 10.#12h Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA; 11. #22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, PA DNS - #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX
A Qualifier 2: 1. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 2. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 4. #63N Rex Norris III, Knightstown, IN; 5. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 6. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 7. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 8. #73F Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 9. #7R Blake Miller, Anaheim, CA; 10. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 11. #7J Jerrod Wilson, Tulsa, OK; 12. #93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK
A Qualifier 3: 1. #33 Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 2. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 3. #39R Randy Hannagan, Pittsboro, IN; 4. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 5. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 6. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 7. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 8. #5E Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA; 9. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 10. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 11. #21AZ Stevie Sussex, Laveen, AZ; 12. #10H Eric Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA
A Qualifier 4: 1. #4E Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #27B Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 3. #1AU Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 4. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 5. #19S Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 6. #97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 7. #7S Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 8. #11T Stan Yockey, Fresno, CA; 9. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 10. #22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 11. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 12. #20C C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, CA
B Mains (Top 4 advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 2. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #11T Stan Yockey, Fresno, CA; 4. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 5. #22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, PA; 6. #12H Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA; 7. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, GA; 8. #49E Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 9. #7J Jerrod Wilson, Tulsa, OK; 10. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 11. #7S Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 12. #19S Troy Rutherford, Ojai, CA; 13. #37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 14. #93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 15. #73F Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 16. #21AZ Stevie Sussex, Laveen, AZ
B Main 2: 1. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 2. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 3. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 4. #5E Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA; 5. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 7. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 8. #8K Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH; 9. #97 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 10. #10H Eric Heydenreich, Bloomsburg, PA; 11. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 12. #7R Blake Miller, Anaheim, CA; 13. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 14. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 15. #22J Jasiel Randolph. DNS - #20C C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, CA
A Main (25 laps - Top 4 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
1. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 2. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, WI; 3. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 4. #67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 5. #33 Davey Ray, Loves Park, IL; 6. #4E Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #29L Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 8. #5F Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 9. #1AU Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 10. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 11. #27B Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 12. #86C Dave Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 13. #69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 14. #05L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, MO; 15. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 16. #55 Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 17. #39R Randy Hannagan, Pittsboro, IN; 18. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 19. #75 Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 20. #63N Rex Norris III, Knightstown, IN; 21. #5E Danny Ebberts, Canyon Lake, CA; 22. #9 Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 23. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 24. #11T Stan Yockey, Fresno, CA
NASCAR.com and Foxsports.com
From Motorsports Management,
Notable driver entries scheduled for Friday's qualification heats include defending champion Tony Stewart, fellow NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne and Jason Leffler, former two-time Chili Bowl champion Cory Kruseman, multiple USAC champion Dave Darland, and road racer PJ Jones.
The live webcast will be hosted by veteran broadcaster Ken Stout and include color commentary by Dave Argabright, Larry Rice, Dr. Pat Sullivan and pit reporting by Matt Yocum.
ABOUT CHILI BOWL TELECAST:
Don't miss a minute! HBO Pay-Per-View presents the live, with no commercials, television broadcast of the 2008 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8:00 pm ET (5:00 pm PT). The HBO Pay-Per-View telecast has a suggested retail price of $24.95, and will be available to all cable and satellite homes throughout the US and Canada. Order directly from your digital cable or satellite TV system or contact your provider's customer service for details. A subscription to HBO is not required. Visit http://www.hbo.com./events/chili.
On Friday, January 11 at 10:30 pm ET (7:30 pm PT), racing fans can log on to NASCAR.com and Foxsports.com to watch a special live stream webcast of the final night of qualifications.
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA,
Okla. (January 8, 2008) - Iowa's Josh Most came out on top of a torrid
battle for the lead to win Tuesday night's Bass Pro Shops 25-lap
Pre-Qualifying feature event as the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals
kicked off at the Tulsa Expo Raceway inside the QuikTrip Center.Most and Oklahoma's Chett Gehrke swapped the point in the final rounds with Most taking the lead for keeps on the 24th lap. Most beat Gehrke to the line, with Wisconsin's Tim Noble making a last-lap move to snare the show position. Indiana's Anthony Peterman was fourth, with Illinois shoe Austin Brown rounding out the top five.
After starting tenth, Most needed just seven laps to muscle into the lead. But 20th-starter Gehrke closed in over the final circuits and surged ahead on the 23rd lap, only to have Most battle back in front the next time around en route to snaring the win aboard David Camfield's Soy City Sock Company No. 6c Stealth.
"We probably could have been a little better (on the top side) because somebody showed me a nose," Most explained in the post-race press conference. "I was only shooting for the top 15, so this is something new."
Fifteen-year-old Justin Mallo led the feature field to the green flag after accumulating the most passing points in heat race action, with Derrick Myers alongside. Myers surrendered his starting position after being collected in an opening lap tangle, with the second start waved off as well after another tangle.
With the race going green on the next try, Mallo led the opening lap before fifth-starter Anthony Peterman charged into the lead. Working the low side of the ¼-mile clay oval, Peterman paced the next several rounds as Most battled past Austin Brown and Brent Rees to take over second by the sixth lap.
Working the top side of the track, Most closed in on Peterman and pulled into the lead exiting turn two on the ninth lap, only to have the caution fly for Cole Peard's turn two flip that also collected Joe Cleveland.
Most wasted no time on the restart, charging by on the high side to take command, with the final caution flying after 12 laps when top-ten contenders Samantha Taylor and Chris Coers tangled in turn three.
Most took off on the restart, while "B" Main transfer Gehrke had already worked his way up to fifth. As Most slipped away from the pack, Gehrke quickly moved into third and began dicing for second with Peterman.
Most's advantage began to disintegrate when lapped traffic came into play on the 17th lap, with Peterman and Gehrke closing in to set up a three-car duel for the win over the final rounds. Gehrke finally disposed of Peterman for second on the 20th lap and set his sights on Most.
And when Most went high entering turn one to get around a lapped car on the 23rd lap, Gehrke ducked to the low side and charged into the lead. But Gehrke got loose exiting turn two the next time around, allowing Most to race back by on the high side.
Most
held on over the final lap to take the win in front of Gehrke, who settled
for runner-up honors in his Ford Focus-powered Aero Automation No. 93c
Beast. "I learned patience last year, so I didn't have to learn it this
year."Badger shoe Tim Noble gained several positions over the final half of the race, slipping by Peterman on the final lap to snare third aboard James Fiscus' Esslinger-powered Ferguson Enterprises No. 71n Spike.
"I feel sorry for the guy that got fourth because I ran him over coming to the line, he came off the cushion and I was a little bit sideways and we both bounced across," Noble commented afterward.
Peterman was fourth in Robert Peterman's B.K.C. No. 7p Stealth, with Austin Brown rounding out the top five in Sherry Brown's Esslinger-powered O'Reilly POWRi No. 7a Spike.
Modified racer Eddie Martin climbed from twelfth to sixth, with fellow sixth-row starter Blake Fitzpatrick in seventh. Rees crossed the stripe eighth, with Ryan Cole and 23rd-starter Caleb Armstrong completing the top ten.
Cole, Justin Melton, Myers, Taylor, Joey Fabozzi, Most, Fitzpatrick, Mallo, Martin and Peterman topped heat race action for the 76-car field. Melton was originally slated to start the feature fourth row outside but was relegated to the tail when forced to the work area for quick repairs to get his mount to fire. Melton bounced back to finish twelfth.
Larry Campbell and Colby Copeland topped "C" Main action, with Joe Cleveland and Gehrke winning the twin "B" Mains.
Don Hammer, Doug Nunes, Jay Mounce and Tyler Robbins each got upside down in heat race action. Robbins flipped in his "C" Main as well, with Campbell flipping in his "B" Main. Brian Portschy and Peard both tumbled in the main event. There were no injuries.
With the triumph, Most advances to Friday night's O'Reilly Auto Parts Qualifying event along with Peterman (fourth), Fitzpatrick (seventh), Armstrong (tenth) and Austin Mero (13th).
Runner-up Gehrke moves on to Thursday's Warren CAT Qualifier along with Austin Brown (fifth), Rees (eighth), Eric Todd (eleventh) and Cleveland (14th).
Third-place finisher Noble moves to Wednesday night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown along with Martin (sixth), Cole (ninth), Melton (twelfth) and Portschy (15th).
The balance of Tuesday's field will start out in the early portion of Saturday's Bass Pro Shops Championship feature events.
Tuesday Night's Bass Pro Shops Pre-Qualifier Results:
Heat Races (Top 18 in passing points to A Main; Next 32 to B Mains; Balance to C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 2. #89JR Todd McVay, Lee?s Summit, MO; 3. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 4. #99J Robby Josett, Santa Clarita, CA; 5. #11D Doug DeWitt, Sunnyvale, CA; 6. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 7. #6P Trish Dover, Springfield, NE; 8. #1B Scott Crystal, Overland Park, KS
Heat 2: 1. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 2. #73E Brian Portschy, Plymouth, WI; 3. #51C Brent Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 4. #10P Will Pierce, Lee?s Summit, MO; 5. #5W Kurt Davis, Milwaukee, WI; 6. #45 Don Hammer, Clinton, IL; DNS - #78C David Budres, Beloit, WI; #4M James Sweeney, Placerville, CA
Heat 3: 1. #25X Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 2. #7T Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 3. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 4. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 5. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 6. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 7. #12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL; 8. #27C Doug Nunes, Kingsburg, CA
Heat 4: 1. #17S Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 2. #87D Brent Rees, Arvada, CO; 3. #4R Bobby Ross, St. Joseph, MO; 4. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 5. #92 Brandon Wagner, Lafayette, IN; 6. #21S Lee Beckwith, Channahon, IL; 7. #9B Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; 8. #0K Don O?Keefe Jr., Pittsboro, IN
Heat 5: 1. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 2. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 3. #33a Chris Coers, Columbus, IN; 4. #6J Justin Hendricks, Stillwater, OK; 5. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 6. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 7. #31X Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 8. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, TX
Heat 6: 1. #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 2. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 3. #63R Kyle Robbins, New Castle, IN; 4. #175 Brian Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 5. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 6. #48 Lee Little, Mustang, OK; 7. #14H Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; 8. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL
Heat 7: 1. #73I Blake Fitzpatrick, West Terre Haute, IN; 2. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #10F Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 4. #17X Billy Mentgen, Golden, CO; 5. #4C Dalton Cole, Pryor, OK; 6. #33X Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; DNS - #32K Kirk Kubik, Long Beach, CA
Heat 8: 1. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 2. #50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, CA; 3. #63 Paul Perkins, Bristol, WI; 4. #98D Dave Scroggs, Arvada, CO; 5. #8M Dan Mecum, Marengo, IL; 6. #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK; 7. #22WA Eric Young, Covington, WA
Heat 9: 1. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 2. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 3. #6E Rafe Essary, Fayetteville, AR; 4. #75D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 5. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 6. #51W Scott Walton, Inola, OK; 7. #93H Brian Harvey, Sherman, TX
Heat 10: 1. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 2. #71N Tim Noble, Madison, WI; 3. #7C Doug Frye, Wheatland, MO; 4. #28 Nathan Smith, Valencia, CA; 5. #15K Brandon Knupp, Troutman, NC; 6. #1F Mike Fulper, Cumberland, OH; 7. #10 T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA
C Mains (Top 2 transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 2. #15K Brandon Knupp, Troutman, NC; 3. #9B Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; 4. #48 Lee Little, Mustang, OK; 5. #1B Scott Crystal, Overland Park, KS; 6. #93H Brian Harvey, Sherman, TX; 7. #6P Trish Dover, Springfield, NE; 8. #0K Don O?Keefe Jr., Pittsboro, IN; 9. #14H Chris Burns, Bethany, OK; 10. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; DNS - #1F Mike Fulper, Cumberland, OH; #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK; #78c David Budres, Beloit, WI
C Main 2: 1. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 2. #31X Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 3. #12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL; 4. #10T T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 5. #32K Kirk Kubik, Long Beach, CA; 6. 33X Scott Fennell, Littleton, CO; 7. #21S Lee Beckwith, Channahon, IL; 8. #51W Scott Walton, Inola, OK DNS - #45 Don Hammer, Clinton, IL; #22WA Eric Young, Covington, WA; #27C Doug Nunes, Kingsburg, CA; #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, TX; #4M James Sweeney, Placerville, CA
B Mains (Top 3 advance to A Main)
B Main 1: #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 2. #63 Paul Perkins, Bristol, WI; 3. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 4. #75D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 5. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Fayetteville, AR; 6. #4R Bobby Ross, St. Joseph, MO; 7. #92 Brandon Wagner, Lafayette, IN; 8. #7C Doug Frye, Wheatland, MO; 9. #11X Ricky Williams, Clinton, OH; 10. #51C Brent Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 11. #175 Brian Camarillo, Ventura, CA; 12. #10F Kelly Ferrell, Chaplin, CT; 13. #8M Dan Mecum, Marengo, IL; 14. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 15. #98D Dave Scroggs, Arvada, CO; 16. #76 Kellen Conover, Sumner, IL; 17. #31C Larry Campbell, Van Buren, AR; 18. #15K Brandon Knupp, Troutman, NC
B Main 2: 1. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #33A Chris Coers, Columbus, IN; 3. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 4. #10P Will Pierce, Lee?s Summit, MO; 5. #50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, CA; 6. #33S Austin Smith, Chino Hills, CA; 7. #17X Billy Mentgen, Golden, CO; 8. #31X Joe Duvall, Chelsea, OK; 9. #37C Colby Copeland, Rossville, CA; 10. #28 Nathan Smith, Valencia, CA; 11. #4C Dalton Cole, Pryor, OK; 12. #6J Justin Hendricks, Stillwater, OK; 13. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, CA; 14. #5W Kurt Davis, Milwaukee, WI; 15. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 16. #11D Doug DeWitt, Sunnyvale, CA; 17. #99J Robby Josett, Santa Clarita, CA; 18. #6E Rafe Essary, Fayetteville, AR
A Main (25 laps - Top 15 Advance to Qualifying Nights)
1. #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 2. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #71N Tim Noble, Madison, WI; 4. #7P Anthony Peterman, Crawfordsville, IN; 5. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 6. #1X Eddie Martin, Ada, OK; 7. #73I Blake Fitzpatrick, West Terre Haute, IN; 8. #87D Brent Rees, Arvada, CO; 9. #11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 10. #97K Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 11. #7T Eric Todd, Falcon, MO; 12. #36J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 13. #25M Austin Mero, Kingsburg, CA; 14. #11C Joe Cleveland, Delphos, KS; 15. #73E Brian Portschy, Plymouth, WI; 16. #63 Paul Perkins, Bristol, WI; 17. #33A Chris Coers, Columbus, IN; 18. #63R Kyle Robbins, New Castle, IN; 19. #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, CA; 20. #17S Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, WA; 21. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 22. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 23. #89JR Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 24. #25X Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL
By Lonnie Wheatley,
From humble beginnings in 1987 that attracted just over 50 cars and a slim crowd, the Chili Bowl Nationals has evolved into a blockbuster event with jam-packed grandstands each night and an indoor pit area bursting at the seams with top guns from all variety of racing disciplines.
And, like the fans, the racers come in increasingly vast numbers with each passing year it seems, as this year's entry list has reached 282 entries from 27 states as well as Canada and Australia. Last year's edition of the Chili Bowl featured a record number of 267 competitors, a record that will likely fall by the way side next week.
Few could have imagined way back in 1987 that the Chili Bowl would develop into the mega-event that it has become, with NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne racing alongside all variety of high-speed chauffeurs, some handsomely paid and some just getting by from one race to the next.
From the nation's top open wheelers in the Sprint Car and Midget ranks to some Late Model and DIRT Modified aces such as 2006 Chili Bowl winner Tim McCreadie and even straight-liners like Gary Scelzi and Cruz Pedregon, you have a true cross section of the American auto racing scene represented inside the building formerly known as the Tulsa Expo Center.
True, the likes of Stewart, Kahne, Yeley, Leffler and others frequented the Chili Bowl before making the successful leap to the purported "big-time". But they've continued to come back to Tulsa each January, with Tony Stewart's two Chili Bowl triumphs coming in 2002 and 2007, well after his IRL championship in 1997 and subsequent shift to NASCAR.
You may ask yourself, why?
Stewart, familiarly known as "Smoke Johnson" around Tulsa, perhaps put it best a couple of years ago. "Where are you going to go in the country where you have 250 of the best all in one place for four days running for one prize" You win this race you've got bragging rights for a year. I don't care what you do for the rest of the season, you could drop out of every race for the rest of the year, but you still got bragging rights that you won the Chili Bowl."
Of course, that was three years ago, when there were "only" 250 entries and "only" four nights of racing. A car count that swelled from 167 to 249 in the span from 2002 to 2005 prompted the addition of a Tuesday night Pre-Qualifying event last year, when 267 took part.
The reasons are countless why thousands upon thousands spend much of the year planning the annual trek to Tulsa. A key reason is the atmosphere, the "feel" of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. Bottom line, it's fun. That keeps Tony Stewart coming back; that keeps Dave Darland coming back; that keeps Mark Bush coming back; that keeps Johnny Murdock coming back. That keeps the fans coming back.
The Chili Bowl got that "feel" in the early days. And while the event has grown in leaps and bounds, falling under the nation's microscope (well, the world's for that matter), the Chili Bowl still possesses that same, undeniable charm it obtained in the early years. It's the big event with the same comfortable, laid-back, grassroots feel to it that drew countless fans and racers for the first time. And more often than not, vows were made after the first visit to never miss another one.
No point chases to worry about, few worries at all to be sure. And, when all is said and done and the final checkered flag falls on Saturday night's feature, one talented (and lucky) driver leaves with that coveted Golden Driller trophy. And bragging rights for a year.
Additional Dodge Chili Bowl information:
What: 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway - ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center (formerly known as Tulsa Exposition Center) at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When:
January 8-12, 2008
Tuesday - Bass Pro Shops Pre-Qualifying Night
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday - Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Friday - O'Reilly Qualifying Night
Saturday - Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday Feature Events
Past Winners: Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Current Entries: 282 entries from 27 different states as well as Canada and Australia, topping last year's record count of 267 competitors.
Past winners already entered include Tony Stewart, Sammy Swindell, Cory Kruseman, Tim McCreadie, Tracy Hines and Johnny Heydenreich.
Among the latest entries is Springfield, Nebraska's Jack Dover aboard the Anderson Motorsports No. 53. Jack joins his sister Trish Dover, driver of the Pierovich No. 6p, in this year's Chili Bowl field. They are believed to be just the second brother-sister duo to compete in the Chili Bowl, following Oklahoma's Zach and Stephanie Chappell in 2002.
Currently, there are 67 Chili Bowl rookies on the entry list.
At least 30 series or track champions over the course of the 2007 season have entered the Chili Bowl Nationals, including:
Eleven midget champions from 2007 that have entered the Chili Bowl include Jerry Coons, Jr. (USAC and National Midget Driver of the Year), David Gough (UMARA), 16-year-old Justin Grant (BCRA), Nathan High (AMRA), Brad Kuhn (BMARA), Brad Loyet (POWRi), Andy Martin (ARDC), Doug McCune (SSMA), Johnny Rodriguez (USAC Western States), Chris Sheil (RMMRA) and Gary Taylor (SMRS).
Eight winged Sprint Car champs are ready for the Chili Bowl, including Lee Grosz (ASCS Northern Plains), Mike Goodman (OCRS), Garry Lee Maier (NCRA), Joey Montgomery (St. Francois County Raceway), Shane Stewart (All-Star Speedweek and NSCS Speedweek), Glenn Styres (SOS), George White (Cowtown Speedway) and Gary Wright (ASCS National and National Driver of the Year).
Six wingless Sprint Car champs are entered, including 19-year-old Jeff Bland, Jr. (Bloomington Speedway and National Rookie of the Year), Shane Cottle (Kokomo Speedway), Jesse Hockett (Sprint Bandits TNT), Levi Jones (USAC), Ryan Kaplan (USAC Western States) and Jon Stanbrough (KISS and National Non-Wing Driver of the Year).
Bud Kaeding won the USAC Silver Crown championship.
Other 2007 champions include Stewart Friesen (DIRT Modifieds at New York's Utica Rome Speedway), Brent Rees (Rocky Mountain Mini Sprint Association), Austin Mero (Ventura Raceway Junior Ford Focus Midgets) and Andrew Deal (non-wing Micros at Will Rogers Raceway).
Bass Pro Shops Kick Off Party: Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow, OK, will host a Chili Bowl Kick Off Party on Monday night, January 7, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Drivers from the Tony Stewart Motorsports team, including Tracy Hines, Levi Jones and Josh Richards, will be on hand to sign autographs. Fans can enter for a chance to ride in the Chili Bowl pace truck, the King of Bucks trailer will be present and accounted for and there will be all variety of games, prizes and giveaways. The flyer for the Bass Pro Shops Chili Bowl Kick Off Party is available at www.chilibowl.com/bpscbkop08.zip.
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.
Preferred Parking: A limited number of Preferred Parking spaces are still available for all five nights of the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Buffet: The cafeteria at the east end of the QuikTrip Center will offer an all-you-can-eat buffet each day. The buffet is available from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and then 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals were depleted by the beginning of June. A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event are available for $21 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Pay-Per-View: Lucas Oil presents the Chili Bowl Nationals live on HBO Pay-Per-View for the first time on Saturday night, January 12. The live broadcast on Saturday, January 12 begins at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT), with an immediate pay-per-view replay and additional replays on Sunday. The HBO Pay-Per-View racing telecast has a suggested retail price $24.95 and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes in the United States and Canada and millions more worldwide. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming in the pay-per-view industry. Ordering information is available at http://www.hbo.com/.
Viewers are encouraged to contact their local cable operator or satellite provider to order the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. Customers must have digital cable or satellite service to order. A subscription to HBO is not required.
Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals On the Web: All the action from Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday along with Saturday's action prior to the Pay-per-View telecast will be webcast live at www.racinboys.com. Complete information, including entry lists, updates and official results is available at www.chilibowl.com.
Additional information regarding the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at www.chilibowl.com or by calling 918-838-3777.
By Lonnie Wheatley,
With more entries expected as the pre-entry deadline of December 15 is reached this weekend, last year's record count of 267 competitors for the prestigious, indoor, dirt-track racing event is expected to be rivaled.
The 22nd edition of the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is set to unfold over the course of five nights, from January 8-12, 2008, atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway inside what is now dubbed the QuikTrip Center, known familiarly for years as the Tulsa Expo Center.
The complete, current list of official pre-entries for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/2008chilibowlentries.asp, with clickable links for most drivers containing the driver's Chili Bowl history, 2007 Chili Bowl results, brief 2007 recap and 2008 Chili Bowl entry information. Those without clickable links yet are in progress and will be available in the coming days.
22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Pre-Entry Notes:
Back-to-Back: Through the first 21 years of the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, no driver has ever topped the event in back-to-back years. NASCAR star Tony Stewart will have a second chance to repeat after winning last year's Chili Bowl. After his first Bowl triumph in 2002, "Smoke" scored a third place finish in 2003.
States: The field for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is not only national, but international as well with drivers from 25 different states as well as Australia and Canada represented among the current 257 entries.
California leads the way with 55 entries. States represented among the current entries are as follows: Arkansas (3), Arizona (10), California (55), Colorado (7), Georgia (1), Illinois (28), Indiana (28), Iowa (3), Kansas (6), Missouri (16), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (3), New Jersey (3), New York (2), North Carolina (1), Ohio (7), Oklahoma (26), Pennsylvania (8), Tennessee (2), Texas (11), Virginia (2), Washington (2), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (9), Wyoming (1). One driver from New South Wales in Australia is entered (Mark Brown) and one driver from Ontario in Canada is entered (Glenn Styres). Nineteen entries have drivers to be determined.
Past Winners: Five past Chili Bowl winners have already entered, including Tony Stewart, Sammy Swindell, Cory Kruseman, Tracy Hines and Johnny Heydenreich. The entry from 2006 Chili Bowl champion Tim McCreadie is expected in the coming days.
Diversity: The field represents a wide variety of racing disciplines, including NASCAR, ARCA, winged Sprint Cars, wingless Sprint Cars, Midgets, Late Models, DIRT Modifieds, Modifieds, Micros and more.
Newman Out and Meyers In: Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Ryan Newman has been forced to relinquish his seat aboard Corey Tucker's No. 39 entry. Taking the ride will be World of Outlaws Sprint Car shoe Jason Meyers, who finished the 2007 season on a strong note with a $20,000 triumph in I-30 Speedway's Short Track Nationals and then the overall victory in Thunderbowl Speedway's Trophy Cup.
Feature Starters: Fifty-six of the entered drivers have started at least one Chili Bowl championship main event in the past. Tops on the list is four-time Chili Bowl kingpin Sammy Swindell with 15 main event starts, followed by Danny Lasoski (14), Kevin Olson (10) and Tony Stewart, Tracy Hines and Jason Leffler (each with 9).
Rookies: Fifty-two of the currently entered drivers are embarking upon their first Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. Notables among the Rookie crop include 18-year-old Hunter Schuerenberg (aboard a Yeley-owned entry), Justin Marks (finished fifth in ARCA points), Jerrod Wilson (won multiple Golden Driller trophies in Micro action at the Tulsa Shootout), Kevin Ramey (two-time ASCS Sooner Region champion), Blake Miller (ninth in USAC/CRA points), George White (Cowtown Speedway sprint car champion), Eric Heydenreich (ARDC runner-up), Justin Grant (17-year-old BCRA Midget champion), Bob Ream, Jr. (past Arizona state Sprint Car champion), Jerry Higbie, Jr. (DIRT Modified ace), Gary Scelzi (past NHRA champion), Jeff Bland, Jr. (National Non-Wing Rookie of the Year and Bloomington Speedway track champion), Brad Sweet (first time aboard Kasey Kahne midget), Ryan Smith (ARDC Rookie of the Year) and Andrew Felker (30 micro wins in 2007 including $10,000-to-win Non-Wing Nationals in Nebraska).
Additional Dodge Chili Bowl information:
What: 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway - ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center (formerly known as Tulsa Exposition Center) at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When:
January 8-12, 2008
Tuesday - Pre-Qualifying Night
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday - Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Friday - O'Reilly Qualifying Night
Saturday - Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday Feature Events
Past Winners: Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Wednesday through Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Preferred Parking: A limited number of Preferred Parking spaces are still available for all five nights of the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Tickets: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals were depleted by the beginning of June. A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event are available for $21 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Pay-Per-View: Lucas Oil presents the Chili Bowl Nationals live on HBO Pay-Per-View for the first time on Saturday night, January 12. The live broadcast on Saturday, January 12 begins at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT), with an immediate pay-per-view replay and additional replays on Sunday. The HBO Pay-Per-View racing telecast has a suggested retail price $24.95 and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes in the United States and Canada and millions more worldwide. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming in the pay-per-view industry. Ordering information is available at www.hbo.com.
Viewers are encouraged to contact their local cable operator or satellite provider to order the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. Customers must have digital cable or satellite service to order. A subscription to HBO is not required.
Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals On the Web: All the action from Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday along with Saturday's action prior to the Pay-per-View telecast will be webcast live at www.racinboys.com. Complete information, including entry lists, updates and official results is available at www.chilibowl.com.
Additional information regarding the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at www.chilibowl.com or by calling 918-838-3777.
By Lonnie Wheatley,
Currently, a total of 169 entries from 21 different states as well as Australia have filed entries for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, which takes place atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway inside the newly named QuikTrip Center on January 8-12, 2008.
The complete list of entries for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/2008chilibowlentries.asp. Driver entry is just $150 if filed by December 15. After that time, entries are $200.
And while the list is filled with names familiar to long-time Chili Bowl fans, names such as Stewart, Yeley, Kahne, Swindell and Kruseman among others, there are also some new ones as top guns from all variety of motorsports prepare to descend upon the city of Tulsa in pursuit of the coveted Golden Driller trophy.
Among the new ones on the list, and perhaps unexpected, is NASCAR star Ryan Newman.
Making his way up through the ranks of open wheel racing just as Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and J.J. Yeley did en route to NASCAR, Newman is set to make his Chili Bowl debut aboard one of the three Corey Tucker-owned entries, teamed with DIRT Modified racer Jerry Higbie, Jr., and World of Outlaws shoe Randy Hannagan.
Newman, along with approximately 250 or so others, will try to do exactly what Tony Stewart did in January of 2007 ? win the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
Stewart enters the 2008 edition of the Chili Bowl as the defending champion after becoming just the fourth driver in event history to top the Chili Bowl on more than one occasion. Tony's first Chili Bowl win came in 2002.
Other past winners already entered include the event's only four-time winner, Sammy Swindell, along with two-time Chili Bowl kingpin Cory Kruseman (2000 and 2004) and 2005 winner Tracy Hines.
The talent already entered for the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals represents a multitude of racing disciplines, including NASCAR, ARCA, NHRA, Late Models, DIRT Modifieds, winged and wingless Sprint Car racing and Midgets among others.
The 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals kicks off on Tuesday night, January 8, with the Pre-Qualifying event. The top 15 finishers from Tuesday's Pre-Qualifier will advance to the Qualifying Night events, including Wednesday's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown, Thursday's Warren Cat Qualifying Event and Friday's O'Reilly Qualifying Night. Saturday's Bass Pro Shops Championship feature slate of events will culminate with the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals 50-lap championship feature event.
The top four finishers from the Qualifying Night features will automatically lock into the Saturday night, January 12, Dodge Chili Bowl championship feature, with the balance of Saturday's Bass Pro Shops championship feature events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes.
Originally a two-day event that attracted 52 entries in 1987, the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals has evolved into a five-night extravaganza of indoor, dirt track midget racing, and ranks among the world?s most prestigious auto racing events with the 2007 edition of the event attracting a record number of 267 competitors.
A limited number of reserved seats remain for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event, with only pit passes available on Wednesday through Saturday as the supply of four-night tickets was depleted by the beginning of June.
Tickets for the Tuesday night, January 8, Pre-Qualifier may be purchased in advance for just $21 by calling the Chili Bowl ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Additional information regarding the Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at www.chilibowl.com.
Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Pre-Entry Stats:
Most Chili Bowls Competed In (Among Pre-Entered Drivers): Donnie Lehmann 18, Sammy Swindell 17, Danny Lasoski 16, Critter Malone 15, Kevin Olson 15, Bill Allen 13, Tracy Hines 11, Jason Leffler 11, Tony Stewart 11, J.J. Yeley 11, P.J. Jones 10, Cory Kruseman 10, Nick O'Neal 10, Johnny Murdock 10.
Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts (Among Pre-Entered Drivers): Sammy Swindell 15, Danny Lasoski 14, Kevin Olson 10, Jason Leffler 9, Tony Stewart 9, Tracy Hines 9, Jerry Coons, Jr. 8, Cory Kruseman 8, P.J. Jones 6, J.J. Yeley 5, Matt Westfall 5, Kasey Kahne 4, Donnie Lehmann 4, Joe Boyles 3, Steve Buckwalter 3, Rick Hendrix 3, Davey Ray 3, Jon Stanbrough 3, Justin Allgaier 2, Chad DeSelle 2, Brad Kuhn 2, Critter Malone 2, Josh Wise 2, Bubba Altig 1, Ryan Durst 1, Danny Ebberts 1, A.J. Fike 1, Aaron Fiscus 1, Josh Ford 1, David Gough 1, Jonathan Hendrick 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Mat Neely 1, Johnny Rodriguez 1, Danny Stratton 1, Brandon Waelti 1, Tyler Walker 1, Paul White 1, Chris Windom 1
TULSA,
Okla. (January 13, 2007) - Two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart
added another Golden Driller trophy to his burgeoning collection of winner's
hardware as he raced to victory lane in Saturday night's 50-lap O'Reilly
Chili Bowl Midget Nationals championship feature event at Tulsa Expo
Raceway.
With the streets of Tulsa covered by several inches of ice and the entire
state of Oklahoma under a declared state of emergency due to icy weather, a
surreal setting including nearly 15,000 spectators braved the elements to
pack the Tulsa Expo Center and witness the NASCAR star best a record field
of 267 entries.
And Indiana's Stewart wasn't the only NASCAR rep on the podium at the end of
the Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday slate of 21 feature events,
as Arizona native J.J. Yeley, who ranked fifth in NASCAR Busch Series 2006
points claimed the runner-up position followed by tenth-ranked ARCA Re/Max
Series driver Justin Allgaier of Illinois in third.
After setting the pace the opening nine rounds, Indiana wingless sprint car
ace Shane Cottle settled for fourth, with Tulsa-area teen Micro grad Donnie
Ray Crawford making the most of his Midget racing debut by rounding out the
top five and ranking as the top Chili Bowl rookie.
Capturing his first Golden Driller in 2002, Stewart joined Sammy Swindell,
Cory Kruseman and Dan Boorse as the only four multi-time winners of the
Chili Bowl Nationals just a year after his 2006 effort was cut short by a
wild Qualifying Night flip.
"Obviously, it was probably a little less dramatic on the track (than the
2002 win) but it was probably three times more dramatic off the track,"
Stewart explained afterward. "To run one of my own cars and get my first win
in one my own cars and most of all get our first win for Chevrolet in our
first race since we switched sponsorships, I don't know how much better of a
coming out party for a new sponsor you could have than to win the biggest
Midget race of the year. To have the weekend that we had for Chevrolet like
that, that's what I'm excited about.
"If you came to our shop three weeks ago, we had one car built out of the
five that we brought here," Stewart continued. "In a three week period,
Steve Smith worked really hard getting five motors ready and to get those
four other cars ready and to come here and do what we did I'm really proud
of our whole organization and Jay Drake for coming on board and being a Team
Manager."
While Stewart gridded the field fifth in the Tony Stewart Motorsports
Chevrolet/Bass Pro Shops No. 20 Spike Chassis, it was Friday night's
Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying event feature winner Dave Darland leading
the field to the green flag with Thursday's Bass Pro Shops Qualifying event
winner Shane Cottle alongside.
Cottle gunned into the lead at the drop of Roger Slack's green flag with
Darland and Wednesday's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying night winner Davey
Ray in two. The deck was shuffled in the opening rounds though, as Stewart
quickly advanced to second by the fifth round when the first caution flew
for a turn four tangle involving Wayne Johnson and Casey Shuman.
Also advancing in the opening rounds was Yeley, who moved from seventh to
third in front of Darland, sixth-starter Allgaier and Ray.
Stewart pressured Cottle on the restart as Yeley and Darland swapped the
third spot a pair of times. Stewart moved to the inside of Cottle's Pace
Bros. Racing Chevy-powered Pace Self Storage No. 44c Beast entering turn one
on the tenth round and after a half-lap of wheel-to-wheel racing, Stewart
edged into the lead.
It was a lead that Stewart would never relinquish, as he weathered several
cautions and ultimately stretched his lead to a half straightaway advantage
over the final rounds to snare the Golden Driller.
While Stewart was never seriously challenged once in front, the action
taking place right behind him was intense. Darland held second much of the
way, as Cottle and a rim-riding Yeley battled side-by-side for third all the
while.
Yeley ultimately secured third at the midway point and then following a lap
30 caution, disposed of Darland for second with sights set on Stewart.
Darland fell to Cottle a lap later with Yeley and Cottle resuming their
battle.
Darland's fortune would soon sour even more, as he and Crawford got hooked
together on the backstretch while battling for position. The pair was broken
apart by Darland's Wilke-Pak Racing teammate Jerry Coons, Jr., entering turn
three. Darland and Coons were left tangled in the corner, precipitating a
caution as Crawford escaped unscathed.
After the race's final caution after 35 laps for Wayne Johnson's turn two
tumble, Yeley edged ahead of Cottle for second and ducked to the low side,
holding the position to the line aboard Andy Bondio's Barnes-powered Kenny's
Components No. 47x entry.
Running the cushion until the final rounds, Yeley explained that, "We just
didn't have enough stagger to run the bottom. I knew right from the get-go?I
had to do something different . It was really starting to come to me a
little bit and the little patch of moisture that was off of turn two went
away and I knew that if I didn't get down to the bottom I was gonna get
freight-trained."
With a podium finish within reach, Allgaier muscled his way past Cottle for
third on the 43rd lap and snared the show position aboard Ebby Bergfield's
Esslinger-powered Ethanol/Auto Xpres No. 86 Spike.
Cottle settled for fourth, with third-generation racer Crawford making his
mark by rounding out the top five aboard the Keith Kunz Motorsports
Fontana-powered John Christner Trucking No. 71k Bullet.
While the top five diced for position, several drivers were on the move from
deep in the field including Joe Boyles, 16-year-old Chris Windom and Tim
McCreadie, who tagged the field via a defending Chili Bowl champion
provisional.
Starting 21st, Boyles sliced his way through the field by moving up to
seventh by the 13th lap. Boyles would climb just one more spot to eventually
finish in sixth.
After a last-corner pass for the sixth and final transfer spot in the First
"B" Main to garner the 23rd starting slot, Windom climbed all the way to
seventh by the time the checkered flag flew.
Tagging the 25-car championship feature field, McCreadie appeared to have a
legitimate shot at becoming the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl
history as he had climbed to eighth by the midway point. But when he went to
the top side of turns one and two on the 29th lap, the New Yorker grazed the
wall and lost three positions before ultimately clawing his way back up to
eighth.
Mat Neely started ninth and finished ninth, with 2005 Chili Bowl champion
Tracy Hines advancing from 16th to complete the top ten.
Crawford fared the best of the three rookies making the cut for the
championship feature event, with Tuesday night's Warren CAT Pre-Qualifier
winner Gary "Bubba'" Altig ending his Cinderella run in 14th and World of
Outlaws Sprint Car shoe Jason Martin claiming 17th.
In addition to the three rookies, other drivers racing their way into a
first career Chili Bowl championship finale included Neely, youngster
Jonathan Hendrick (19th), Ryan Durst (24th) and Tyler Brown, who was
credited with 25th after his engine let go while lining up for the finale.
Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday action kicked off in the
afternoon with Billy Mentgen and Todd McVay victorious in Twin "K" Main
action. Moments later, Mentgen's teammate, Todd Plemons, aced the First "J"
Main with Cameron Beard then wiring the field in the second "J".
It was a racing Miller sisters sweep of "I" Main competition with Michele
Miller victorious in the First "I" and then Tracy Miller duplicating the
feat in the Second "I". The Miller sisters became just the third and fourth
female racers in Chili Bowl history to win Saturday feature events.
Charles Davis, Jr. and Chad Wheeler split "H" Main honors, with John Sarale
and Chad Deselle winning the "G" Mains.
Darren Hagen began a climb through four features by winning the First "F"
Main. He followed that up with a fourth-place run in the First "E" Main
topped by Dean Alexander and a third-place showing in "D" Main one claimed
by Nick Knepper before running out of steam in the First "C" Main.
ARDC Midget champion Andy Martin began his own alphabet drive in "F" Main
action that ultimately ended in the "B" Mains. Martin finished fourth in the
second "F" Main, which was won by P.J. Jones. He then climbed to third in
the second "E" Main behind winner Brad Loyet and Cole Whitt before charging
to runner-up honors behind second "D" Main winner Dustin Morgan.
After Josh Ford won the first "C" Main, Martin survived a turn one fracas
with four-time Chili Bowl champion Sammy Swindell that electrified the crowd
by racing back to a fifth-place transfer position in a race that featured
Brady Bacon's dramatic last-lap pass of Aaron Fiscus to take victory honors.
Jason Martin wired the field in the First "B" Main, while Wayne Johnson made
his second Chili Bowl finale in as many attempts by topping the Second "B"
Main.
Slated to start the day in the First "F" Main, NASCAR Nextel Cup sensation
Kasey Kahne scratched from the card.
Saturday's 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals Oklahoma Dodge
Dealers Championship Feature Results:
K Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding J Main)
K Main 1: 1. #7X Billy Mentgen, Arvada, Colo.; 2. #6X Jody Rosenboom, Rock
Rapids, Iowa; 3. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, Texas; 4. #35WA Steve Stone, Mesa,
Ariz.; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, Ariz.; 6. #29L Leroy Holler,
Independence, Mo.; 7. #10A Ryan Ameln, Hollister, Calif.; 8. #76 Kellen
Conover, Sumner, Ill.; 9. #11B Doug DeWitt, Sunnyvale, Calif.; 10. #5K Kevin
Burgess, Stotts City, Mo.; 11. #24R John Ricketts, Burleson, Texas DNS -
#74X Eddie Sauer, Davis, Ill.; #24L Roy Larking, Tulsa, Okla.; #14H Harley
Hollan, Broken Arrow, Okla.
K Main 2: 1. #7T Todd McVay, Lees Summit, Mo.; 2. #11H Garrett Hood,
Concordia, Kan.; 3. #7A Dakoda Armstrong, Newcastle, Ind.; 4. #02 Bryon
Walters, Beaver Dam, Wis.; 5. #98D Dave Scroggs, Arvada, Colo.; 6. #93 Brian
Harvey, Hanford, Calif.; 7. #77 Matt DeWitt, Houston, Texas; 8. #33 Toni
Kruck, Copalopa, Australia; 9. #2D Steve Davis, Norco, Calif.; 10. #12S
Jacob Slotten, Menasha, Wis.; 11. #91$ Joe Duvall, Chelsea, Okla.; 12. #6M
Tayler Malsam, Sammamish, Wash.; 13. #4K Kerry Sandusky, Chicago, Ill.
J Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding I Main)
J Main 1: 1. #7P Todd Plemons, Arvada, Colo.; 2. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell,
Okla.; 3. #17B Austin Brown, Millstadt, Ill.; 4. #6J Jonathan Cornell,
Sedalia, Mo.; 5. #6C Josh Most, Red Oak, Iowa; 6. #5MA Mallory Armfield, St.
Joseph, Mo.; 7. #7J Kyle Bellm, Nixa, Mo.; 8. #10P Will Pierce, Lees Summit,
Mo.; 9. #66 Dalton Cole, Pryor, Okla.; 10. #7X Billy Mentgen, Arvada, Colo.;
11. #27D Todd Kimmel, Avon, Ind.; 12. #6X Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, Iowa;
13. #10S Matt Sargent, San Jose, Calif.; 14. #35WA Steve Stone, Mesa, Ariz.;
15. #72X Kellen Love, Lincoln, Neb.; 16. #6 Brian Carter, Frisco, Texas
J Main 2: 1. #19B Cameron Beard, Atwater, Calif.; 2. #93C Chett Gehrke,
Broken Arrow, Okla.; 3. #31C Chris Walker, Oak Grove, Mo.; 4. #36K Kaylene
Verville, Avondale, Ariz.; 5. #37T Trish Dover, Springfield, Neb.; 6. #7A
Dakoda Armstrong, Newcastle, Ind.; 7. #43 Buddy Luebke, Stoughton, Wis.; 8.
#27 Randy Monroe Jr., Hampton, Va.; 9. #7T Todd McVay, Lees Summit, Mo.; 10.
#50X Tom Everhart, El Cajon, Calif.; 11. #9 Doug McCune, Fort Worth, Texas;
12. #54 Alex Harris, Simi Valley, Calif.; 13. #02 Bryon Walters, Beaver Dam,
Wis.; 14. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, Kan. DNS - #21H Jonathan Henry,
Stockton, Calif.; #12E Rafe Essary, Farmington, Ark.
I Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding H Main)
I Main 1: 1. #4 Michele Miller, Reading, Pa.; 2. #45X Jeff Perry, Buckeye,
Ariz.; 3. #500 Geoff Dodge, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 4. #1X Eddie Martin,
Stilwell, Okla.; 5. #6J Jonathan Cornell, Sedalia, Mo.; 6. #7P Todd Plemons,
Arvada, Colo.; 7. #11V Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, Kan.; 8. #17B Austin
Brown, Millstadt, Ill.; 9. #11X Steve Newman, Lakewood, Colo.; 10. #83 Kurt
Blackaby, Bentonville, Ark.; 11. #73X Dex Eaton, Owasso, Okla.; 12. #0
Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, Texas; 13. #0K Ron Kuhn, Lees Summit, Mo.; 14. #55
Tony Everhart, El Cajon, Calif. DNS - #74 Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon,
Calif.; #84 Joey Fabozzi, Norco, Calif.
I Main 2: 1. #3 Tracy Miller, Reading, Pa.; 2. #81 Shane Carson, Yukon,
Okla.; 3. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 4. #19W Troy Rutherford,
Ojai, Calif.; 5. #11R Larry Cole, Porter, Okla.; 6. #31C Chris Walker, Oak
Grove, Mo.; 7. #19B Cameron Beard, Atwater, Calif.; 8. #27A Ralph Cortez,
Sacramento, Calif.; 9. #36K Kaylene Verville, Avondale, Ariz.; 10. #9W Joe
Wipperfurth, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 11. #45H Don Hammer, Clinton, Ill.; 12. #1C
Chad McDaniel, Concordia, Kan.; 13. #35X Korey Weyant, Springfield, Ill.;
14. #57K Randy Koch, Oregon, Wis.; 15. #8D Jay Ervine, Litchfield, Ariz.;
DNS - #24H Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, Ind.
H Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding G Main)
H Main 1: 1. #52 Charles Davis Jr., Buckeye, Ariz.; 2. #1M Mike Miller,
Reading, Pa.; 3. #4P Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, Ohio; 4. #31L Lee Grosz,
Harwood, N.D.; 5. #79C Chris Sheil, Lakewood, Colo.; 6. #96X Sam Hafertepe
Jr., Sunnyvale, Texas; 7. #1X Eddie Martin, Stilwell, Okla.; 8. #500 Geoff
Dodge, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 9. #16 tom Bigelow, Winchester, Ind.; 10.
#10N Nick O?Neal, Wagoner, Okla.; 11. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City,
Okla.; 12. #50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, Calif.; 13. #17K Kevin Morris,
Ripon, Calif.; 14. #4 Michele Miller, Reading, Pa.; 15. #45X Jeff Perry,
Buckeye, Ariz.; 16. #3A Bill Allen, Independence, Mo.
H Main 2: 1. #88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla.; 2. #11S C.J. Sarna, Palm
Desert, Calif.; 3. #2K Kyle Wissmiller, Saybrook, Ill.; 4. #83X Samantha
Taylor, Bonney Lake, Wash.; 5. #93C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 6.
#4W Edwin Wilson, Tuttle, Okla.; 7. #3M John Wolfe, Winchester, Ind.; 8. #3
Tracy Miller, Reading, Pa.; 9. #37X Billy Osta, Rotterdam, N.Y.; 10. #18A
Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, Calif.; 11. #19W Troy Rutherford, Ojai, Calif.; 12.
#F1 French Grimes, Madison, Va.; 13. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord, Calif.; 14.
#5AZ Shon Deskins, Waddell, Ariz.; 15. #8K Zach Chappell, Talala, Okla.; 16.
#81 Shane Carson, Yukon, Okla.
G Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding F Main)
G Main 1: 1. #32S John Sarale, Stockton, Calif.; 2. #7M Michelle Decker,
Guthrie, Okla.; 3. #21K Ryan Kaplan, Chico, Calif.; 4. #5T Randy Timms,
Oklahoma City, Okla.; 5. #20S John Sarna, Palm Desert, Calif.; 6. #15N David
Prickett, Fresno, Calif.; 7. #D1 Dustin Henderson, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 8.
#18G Rickie Gaunt, Torrance, Calif.; 9. #20N Jordan Noblitt, Columbus, Ind.;
10. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.V.; 11. #31L Lee Grosz, Harwood, N.D.;
12. #4P Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, Ohio; 13. #1M Mike Miller, Reading, Pa.;
14. #07 Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, Calif.; 15. #D33 Jeff Davis,
Pittsburg, Ill.; 16. #52 Charles Davis Jr., Buckeye, Ariz.
G Main 2: 1. #6D Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 2. #2B Brady Short,
Bedford, Ind.; 3. #8R Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, Calif.; 4. #17P Billy
Boat, Phoenix, Ariz.; 5. #88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla.; 6. #18 Tony
Bruce Jr., Liberal, Kan.; 7. #57 Brian Gard, Clovis, Calif.; 8. #12C Rick
England, Wichita, Kan.; 9. #66X A.J. Foyt IV, Houston, Texas; 10. #33A
Stephen Arnold, Seymour, Ind.; 11. #22X Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, Ontario; 12.
#2K Kyle Wissmiller, Saybrook, Ill.; 13. #83X Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake,
Wash.; 14. #11S John Sarna, Palm Desert, Calif.; 15. #20C Carey Becker,
Reading, Pa. DNS - #50T Roland Ayo, Houston, Texas
F Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding E Main)
F Main 1: 1. #69 Darren Hagen, Riverside, Calif.; 2. #125 Teddy Beach,
Donnelsville, Ohio; 3. #21K Ryan Kaplan, Chico, Calif.; 4. #45 Aaron Kirk,
Conroe, Texas; 5. #2C David Cardey, Perris, Calif.; 6. #32S John Sarale,
Stockton, Calif.; 7. #8P Wally Pankratz, Orange, Calif.; 8. #43C Rich
Camfield, Decatur, Ill.; 9. #22T Mike Woodruff, Satanta, Kan.; 10. #8C Bill
Balog, Lafayette, Ind.; 11. #07X Audra Sasselli, Visalia, Calif.; 12. #7M
Michelle Decker, Guthrie, Okla.; 13. #5T Randy Timms, Oklahoma City, Okla.
DNS - #11K Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash.; #1A Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.;
#22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, Pa.
F Main 2: 1. #97 P.J. Jones, Torrance, Calif.; 2. #14T Tony Rossi,
Westminister, Colo.; 3. #12J Jeff Henry, Glendale, Ariz.; 4. #21M Andy
Martin, Gordonville, Pa.; 5. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 6. #7R
Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, Calif.; 7. #2B Brady Short, Bedford, Ind.; 8.
#21P Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla.; 9. #5X Patrick Bruns, Champaign, Ill.;
10. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, Ariz.; 11. #6D Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie,
Wis.; 12. #8R Randy Pankratz, Atascadero, Calif.; 13. #17P Billy Boat,
Phoenix, Ariz.; 14. #15B Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa DNS - #17D Doug
Rose, Temple, Pa.; #1W Paul White, Temple, Texas
E Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 to back of corresponding D Main)
E Main 1: 1. #17M Dean Alexander, Hanford, Calif.; 2. #96 Cody Brewer,
Choctaw, Okla.; 3. #XX Darrin Bolton, Eldorado Hills, Calif.; 4. #69 Darren
Hagen, Riverside, Calif.; 5. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, Tenn.; 6. #21K
Ryan Kaplan, Chico, Calif.; 7. #02R Brian Ramstack, West Bend, Wis.; 8. #00
Cameron Gulick, Binghamton, N.Y.; 9. #4X Billy alley, Lincoln, Neb.; 10. #F4
Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, N.Y.; 11. #91 Bugs Norbury, Prescott Valley,
Ariz.; 12. #19T Michael Trimble, Gilroy, Calif.; 13. #87 Alan Ballard,
Bakersfield, Calif.; 14. #125 Teddy Beach, Donnelsville, Ohio DNS - #23 Tadd
Holliman, Beaver Lake, Neb.; #45 Aaron Kirk, Conroe, Texas
E Main 2: 1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, Mo.; 2. #29W Cole Whitt, Alpine,
Calif.; 3. #21M Andy Martin, Gordonville, Pa.; 4. #97 P.J. Jones, Torrance,
Calif.; 5. #12J Jeff Henry, Glendale, Ariz.; 6. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa
Maria, Calif.; 7. #2A Mark Bush, Cumming, Ga.; 8. #27B Neil Shepherd,
Warsaw, Ind.; 9. #71 Conner Pullen, Amarillo, Texas; 10. #14T Tony Rossi,
Westminister, Colo.; 11. #21AZ Nathan High, Goodyear, Ariz.; 12. #71P Cruz
Pedregon, Brownsburg, Ind.; 13. #22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, Okla.; 14. #73E
Foster Landon, Collinsville, Okla. DNS - #95K Rik Forbes, Omaha, Neb.; #47S
Stan Yockey, Fresno, Calif.
D Mains (15 Laps - Top 3 to back of corresponding C Main)
D Main 1: 1. #25K Nick Knepper, Belleville, Ill.; 2. #11Z Travis Berryhill,
American Canyon, Calif.; 3. #69 Darren Hagen, Riverside, Calif.; 4. #4L Doug
Lippincott, Reno, Nev.; 5. #35M Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, Okla.; 6. #1T Tony
Roney, Herculaneum, Mo.; 7. #3W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 8. #39X
Randy Hannagan, Pittsboro, Ind.; 9. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, Okla.; 10. #2M
Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, N.J.; 11. #17M Dean Alexander, Hanford, Calif.;
12. #24 Leon Bacon, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 13. #2X Bryan Stanfill,
Bakersfield, Calif.; 14. #XX Darrin Bolton, Eldorado Hills, Calif.; 15. #35P
Scott Pierovich, Alamo, Calif.; 16. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, N.J.
D Main 2: 1. #11D Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, Okla.; 2. #21M Andy Martin,
Gordonville, Pa.; 3. #8E Tony Elliott, Warsaw, Ind.; 4. #12 Trey Robb,
Newcastle, Okla.; 5. #31X Joe Walker, Harrisonville, Mo.; 6. #05 Brad Loyet,
Sunset Hills, Mo.; 7. #12H Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, Calif.; 8. #14A A.J.
Ernesto, Reading, Pa.; 9. #29W Cole Whitt, Alpine, Calif.; 10. #36P Brad
Paris, Brownsburg, Ind.; 11. #85X Matt Covington, Glenpool, Okla.; 12. #13
Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn.; 13. #55J Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning, Mich.;
14. #97 P.J. Jones, Torrance, Calif.; 15. #7 Critter Malone, Speedway, Ind.;
16. #86X Daron Clayton, Sikeston, Mo.
C Mains (15 Laps - Top 5 to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, Calif.; 2. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton,
Ill.; 3. #37M Rip Williams, Yorba Linda, Calif.; 4. #67 Damion Gardner,
Concord, Calif.; 5. #5D Zachary Daum, Pochontas, Ill.; 6. #11W Josh Wise,
Riverside, Calif.; 7. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, Ill.; 8. #49JR
Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, Calif.; 9. #11Z Travis Berryhill, American
Canyon, Calif.; 10. #73I Adam Trimble, Pueblo, Colo.; 11. #12X Gary Taylor,
Wheat Ridge, Colo.; 12. #69 Darren Hagen, Riverside, Calif.; 13. #5C Joey
Montgomery, Fredricktown, Mo.; 14. #4B Ronnie Burke Jr., League City, Texas;
15. #9H Russ Harper, Watkins, Colo.; 16. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, Ariz.; 17.
#25K Nick Knepper, Belleville, Ill. DNS - Mike Goodman, Tulsa, Okla.
C Main 2: 1. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 2. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun
Prairie, Wis.; 3. #19S Robby Flock, Murrietta, Calif.; 4. #12W Billy Wease,
Noblesville, Ind.; 5. #21M Andy Martin, Gordonville, Pa.; 6. #22AZ Mike
Welker, Phoenix, Ariz.; 7. #86C David Camfield Sr., Decatur, Ill.; 8. #11D
Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, Okla.; 9. #85 Shane Hollingsworth,
Indianapolis, Ind.; 10. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, Calif.; 11. #14JR Matt
Streeter, Lathrop, Calif.; 12. #8E Tony Elliott, Warsaw, Ind.; 13. #71R
Keith Rauch, Thronton, Colo.; 14. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Tenn.; 15.
#22E Evan Sewell, Jenks, Okla.; 16. #91AZ A.J. Fike, Galesburg, Ill.; 17.
73S Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 18. #27C Jesse Hockett, Warsaw,
Mo.
B Mains (20 Laps - Top 6 in First B Main make up inside final six rows of
A Main; Top 6 in Second B Main make up outside final six rows of A Main
B Main 1: 1. #36 Jason Martin, Liberal, Kan.; 2. #91X Ryan Durst, Lincoln,
Neb.; 3. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, Ind.; 4. #70 Garrett Hansen,
Manhattan Beach, Calif.; 5. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, Mo.; 6. #17 Chris
Windom, Canton, Ill.; 7. #17T Thomas Meseraull, Avon, Ind.; 8. #4E Bobby
East, Brownsburg, Ind.; 9. #44D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, Neb.; 10. #37M Rip
Williams, Yorba Linda, Calif.; 11. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, Ill.; 12. #67
Damion Gardner, Concord, Calif.; 13. #05X Greg Bragg, Visalia, Calif.; 14.
#5D Zachary Daum, Pocahontas, Ill.; 15. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls,
Ohio; 16. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, Ill.; 17. #7D Dan Boorse,
Milwaukee, Wis.; 18. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, Calif.; 19. 52R Ricky Stenhouse
Jr., Olive Branch, Miss.; 20. #38 Mike Spencer, Temecula, Calif.
B Main 2: 1. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 2. #21 Tracy Hines,
Greenfield, Ind.; 3. #21A Jon Stanbrough, Riverside, Calif.; 4. #11 Jerry
Coons Jr., Tucson, Ariz.; 5. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, Pa.; 6. #37B
Tyler Brown, Norco, Calif.; 7. #71B Mark Brown, Sydney, Australia; 8. #47
Cory Kruseman, Ventura, Calif.; 9. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 10.
#44 Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa; 11. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, Calif.;
12. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, Ill.; 13. #19S Robby Flock, Murrietta, Calif.;
14. #2 Danny Stratton, Riverside, Calif.; 15. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville,
Ind.; 16. #5L Danny Lasoski, Dover, Mo.; 17. #75 David Gough, Machesney
Park, Ill.; 18. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, Ill.; 19. #21M Andy Martin,
Gordonville, Pa.; 20. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, Wis.
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals Championship Feature Event (50 Laps)
Car # Name, Hometown (starting position)
1. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, Ind. (5)
2. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, Ariz. (7)
3. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, Ill. (6)
4. #44C Shane Cottle, Kokomo, Ind. (2)
5. #71K Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow (10)
6. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, Mo. (21)
7. #17 Chris Windom, Canton, Ill. (23)
8. #1A Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y. (25)
9. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, Ill. (9)
10. #21 Tracy Hines, Greenfield, Ind. (16)
11. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, Pa. (22)
12. #33X Davey Ray, Love?s Park, Ill. (3)
13. #52S Casey Shuman, Indianapolis, Ind. (8)
14. #67A Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, Ill. (11)
15. #21A Jon Stanbrough, Brownsburg, Ind. (18)
16. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, Ind. (1)
17. #36 Jason Martin, Liberal, Kan. (13)
18. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, Calif. (19)
19. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, Ind. (17)
20. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, Okla. (14)
21. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, Ariz. (20)
22. #71J Jason Leffler, Long Beach, Calif. (12)
23. #71X Brad Kuhn, Avon, Ind. (4)
24. #91X Ryan Durst, Lincoln, Neb. (15)
25. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco, Calif. (24)
Darland Does it in Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Chili Bowl Qualifier
TULSA, Okla. (January 12, 2007) - Dave
Darland gunned into the lead at the outset and led all 25 laps to win Friday
night's Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying feature event at Tulsa Expo
Raceway's 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
Darland was chased to the stripe by two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony
Stewart, with Mat Neely taking the show position. Tuesday night's Warren Cat
Pre-Qualifying feature winner, Gary "Bubba" Altig, drove to a fourth place
finish and the final lock in-position to Saturday night's 50-lap
Championship feature.
Friday's top four join the top four from Wednesday's Creek Nation Casino
Qualifier (Davey Ray, Brad Kuhn, Casey Shuman and Donnie Ray Crawford) and
the top four from Thursday's Bass Pro Shops Qualifier (Shane Cottle, Justin
Allgaier, J.J. Yeley and Jason Leffler).
Darland made what was already a good night even better by drawing the pole
position for Saturday night's O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 50-lap
championship main event. Darland will be flanked on the front row by
Thursday's Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night winner Shane Cottle.
"This is not just another race, that's for sure," Darland commented of a
potential Chili Bowl win on Saturday night. "But once you get out there on
the track, you've just got to try to calm yourself. It's definitely bigger
than just a normal race and starting on the pole, that always makes me a
little nervous but I wouldn't trade him (Stewart) for where he's starting.
That's where I want to start, we are where we wanna be so hopefully we can
pull it off."
While Darland earned the front row outside through heat and qualifying race
action, it was Altig making a name for himself by first making a mid-race
pass of Jason Martin to win the sixth heat and then charging from sixth to
make a dramatic last corner move around Terry McCarl in the third qualifying
race to earn the pole position.
While Altig was now four-for-four (including a heat and feature win on
Tuesday) in on-track Chili Bowl competition, Darland proved to be too stout
in the Wilke-Pak RAJO Racing Stanton Mopar No. 5 Spike.
Darland shot into the lead at the drop of the green flag and weathered a
number of caution flags over the distance to secure the win.
"I knew if I hit my lines just right, and I didn't hit it real good those
last three or four laps, but I also knew that if I didn't really just screw
it up totally there wasn't really much anywhere else either so as long as I
didn't hit the wall down the straightaways was my main concern," Darland
commented afterward. "Me and Tony (Stewart) talked about it that running
first or second really doesn't matter. It does matter now that you think
about it since the winners all start up front and second place starts behind
that, so I'm glad I didn't think about that earlier."
Behind him, positions swapped hands several times, with Neely first racing
past Altig for the runner-up slot on the second circuit. In those opening
two laps, Stewart quickly advanced from his sixth starting position to
fourth.
Stewart moved in on Altig several times and successfully took over third
only to have the moves negated by caution flags. Stewart was finally able to
make the move stick on the 13th round, then wasted little time disposing of
Neely for second by charging into the position a lap later.
Stewart tried to mount a challenge on Darland but was unable to make a
serious bid, settling for second in the Tony Stewart Motorsports
Chevrolet/Bass Pro No. 20 Spike.
Making a rare Midget start, Stewart commented that, "It took both those
practice sessions that we got on Tuesday to get the bugs out and even a
little bit today in the practice, it took a couple of laps to really start
getting comfortable again.
"I feel like I'm a little bit behind the eight ball this year because of
what happened," he explained of last year's Chili Bowl run that was cut
short due to a Qualifying night flip. "With the way the second heat and the
main turned out, I think we're right on par with where we need to be as far
as confidence and feeling like we're back in the groove again."
Neely and Altig diced for the third position over the final rounds, with
Neely taking the show position aboard Larry Gardner's Frampton Chevy-powered
CB Fabricating No. 35 Stealth.
"If he (Altig) wouldn't have been in fourth, I would have got crashed,"
Neely explained. "We just got real free there on the last ten laps, we tried
a new tire and it just didn't really work like we thought but I'm happy to
get third."
Solidly establishing himself as the Cinderella story of the Chili Bowl
Nationals, Altig nailed down the fourth and final lock-in to Saturday
night's championship finale aboard the family-owned Fontana-powered Bullet
Leasing No. 67a Stealth.
"It's a dream, I've watched these guys my whole life and they're where I
wanna be sometime," Altig stated. "You can't ask for much more, these guys
are great and I'm just glad to be a part of this deal."
Making his Midget racing debut, Sprint Car shoe Jason Martin made a bid for
a top four position but settled for fifth, with 14th-starter Wayne Johnson a
close sixth. Two-time Chili Bowl champion Dan Boorse advanced from 15th and
then rebounded from a cone violation to snare seventh, with Tim Siner, Bobby
East and Terry McCarl completing the top ten.
Heat races for Friday night's 70-car Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying field
were won by P.J. Jones, Josh Ford, Stewart, Boorse, Neely, Altig, Travis
Berryhill, Doug Lippincott and Darland.
Bill Balog, Matt Mitchell, Cory Kruseman and Daniel Adler were victorious in
Last Chance Race action, with Ronnie Burke, Jr., Martin, Altig and Ford
topping the Qualifying Races.
Bobby Michnowicz and Kruseman split victory honors in the Twin "B" Mains.
Kruseman, a two-time Chili Bowl champ, had advanced from 18th to seventh
when he was collected in a lap 17 tangle that also included fifth-running
Gary Taylor and sixth-runner Burke.
A record total of 267 different drivers have competed over the opening four
nights of the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. All will be
in action during Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday, which kicks
off with Twin "K" Mains at 1:30 p.m.
Friday Night's 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals Oklahoma Dodge
Dealers Qualifier Results:
Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 40 in passing points to four A Qualifiers; Balance
to four Last Chance races)
Heat 1: 1. #97 P.J. Jones, Torrance, Calif.; 2. #22AZ Mike Welker, Phoenix,
Ariz.; 3. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, Calif.; 4. #43C Rich Camfield,
Decatur, Ill.; 5. #8C Bill Balog, Lafayette, Ind.; 6. #20R Josh Richards,
Shinnston, N.Y.; 7. #27A Ralph Cortez, Sacramento, Calif.; 8. #17K Kevin
Morris, Ripon, Calif.
Heat 2: 1. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, Calif.; 2. #91AZ A.J. Fike, Galesburg,
Ill.; 3. #14A A.J. Ernesto, Reading, Pa.; 4. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills,
Mo.; 5. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, Calif.; 6. #50 Daniel Adler, East
Carondolet, Ill.; 7. #31L Lee Grosz, Harwood,
N.D.; 8. #8K Zach Chappell, Talala, Okla.
Heat 3: 1. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, Ind.; 2. #87 Alan Ballard,
Bakersfield, Calif.; 3. #35M Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, Okla.; 4. #12 Trey Robb,
Newcastle, Okla.; 5. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, Calif.; 6. #3 Tracy
Miller, Reading, Pa.; 7. #0K Ron Kuhn, Lee?s Summit, Mo.; 8. #11X Steve
Newman, Lakewood, Colo.
Heat 4: 1. #7D Dan Boorse, Milwaukee, Wis.; 2. #4B Ronnie Burke Jr., League
City, Texas; 3. #2A Mark Bush, Cumming, Ga.; 4. #47S Stan Yockey, Fresno,
Calif.; 5. #15B Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa; 6. #52 Charles Davis Jr.,
Buckeye, Ariz.; 7. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, Calif.; 8. #2B Brady Short,
Bedford, Ind.
Heat 5: 1. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, Ill.; 2. #19T Michael Trimble, Gilroy,
Calif.; 3. #55J Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning, Mich.; 4. #4X Billy Alley,
Lincoln, Neb.; 5. #45X Jeff Perry, Buckeye, Ariz.; 6. #4E Bobby East,
Brownsburg, Ind.; 7. #11S C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, Calif.; 8. #21K Ryan
Kaplan, Chico, Calif.
Heat 6: 1. #67A Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, Ill.; 2. #36 Jason Martin,
Liberal, Kan.; 3. #17D Doug Rose, Temple, Pa.; 4. #23 Tadd Holliman, Beaver
Lake, Neb.; 5. #11K Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash.; 6. #D33 Jeff Davis,
Pittsburg, Ill.; 7. #81 Shane Carson, Yukon, Okla.; 8. #4P Tony Beaber,
Gibsonburg, Ohio
Heat 7: 1. #11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, Calif.; 2. #36P Brad
Paris, Brownsburg, Ind.; 3. #12X Gary Taylor, Wheat Ridge, Colo.; 4. #52R
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, Miss.; 5. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda,
Calif.; 6. #32S John Sarale, Stockton, Calif.; 7. #17P Billy Boat, Phoenix,
Ariz.; 8. #88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla.
Heat 8: 1. #4L Doug Lippincott, Minden, Nev.; 2. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma
City, Okla.; 3. #38 Mike Spencer, Temecula, Calif.; 4. #07X Audra Sasselli,
Visalia, Calif.; 5. #12J Jeff Henry, Glendale, Ariz.; 6. #14JR Matt
Streeter, Lathrop, Calif.; 7. 385 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, Ind.
Heat 9: 1. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, Ind.; 2. #29W Cole Whitt, Alpine,
Calif.; 3. #44 Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa; 4. #73S Jonathan Beason, Broken
Arrow, Okla.; 5. #66X A.J. Foyt IV, Houston, Texas; 6. #8R Randi Pankratz,
Atascadero, Calif.; 7. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, Ill.
Last Chance Races (Top 2 in each transfer to back of corresponding A
Qualifier)
Last Chance 1: 1. #8C Bill Balog, Lafayette, Ind.; 2. #14JR Matt Streeter,
Lathrop, Calif.; 3. #D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, Ill.; 4. #17P Billy Boat,
Phoenix, Ariz.; 5. #4P Tony Beaber, Gibsonburg, Ohio; 6. #8K Zach Chappell,
Talala, Okla.; 7. #45X Jeff Perry, Buckeye, Ariz.; 8. #27A Ralph Cortez,
Sacramento, Calif.
Last Chance 2: 1. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, Calif.; 2. #85 Shane
Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, Ind.; 3. #8R Randi Pankratz, Atascadero,
Calif.; 4. #20R Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.V.; 5. #88 Chad Wheeler,
Muskogee, Okla.; 6. #31L Lee Grosz, Harwood, N.D.; 7. #3 Tracy Miller,
Reading, Pa.; 8. #11X Steve Newman, Lakewood, Colo.
Last Chance 3: 1. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, Calif.; 2. #15 Tim Siner,
Waterloo, Ill.; 3. #32S John Sarale, Stockton, Calif.; 4. #2B Brady Short,
Bedford, Ind.; 5. 52 Charles Davis Jr., Buckeye, Ariz.; 6. #18A Floyd Alvis,
San Carlos, Calif.; 7. #0K Ron Kuhn, Lee?s Summit, Mo.
Last Chance 4: 1. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, Ill.; 2. #4E Bobby
East, Brownsburg, Ind.; 3. #66X A.J. Foyt IV, Houston, Texas; 4. #21K Ryan
Kaplan, Chico, Calif.; 5. #11S C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert, Calif.; 6. #17K
Kevin Morris, Ripon, Calif.; 7. #81 Shane Carson, Yukon, Okla.
A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to
twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #4B Ronnie Burke Jr., League City, Texas; 2. #12X Gary
Taylor, Wheat Ridge, Colo.; 3. #35 Mat Neely, Robinson, Ill.; 4. #F5 Wayne
Johnson, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 5. #73S Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, Okla.;
6. #43C Rich Camfield, Decatur, Ill.; 7. #14JR Matt Streeter, Lathrop,
Calif.; 8. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, Okla.; 9. #07X Audra Sasselli, Visalia,
Calif.; 10. #8C Bill Balog, Lafayette, Ind.; 11. #11Z Travis Berryhill,
American Canyon, Calif.; 12. #17D Doug Rose, Temple, Pa.
A Qualifier 2: 1. #36 Jason Martin, Liberal, Kan.; 2. #5 Dave Darland,
Lincoln, Ind.; 3. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, Ind.; 4. #20 Tony
Stewart, Columbus, Ind.; 5. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, Calif.; 6. #4L
Doug Lippincott, Reno, Nev.; 7. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, Calif.; 8.
#2A Mark Bush, Cumming, Ga.; 9. #36P Brad Paris, Brownsburg, Ind.; 10. #23
Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, Neb.; 11. #97 P.J. Jones, Torrance, Calif.; 12.
314A A.J. Ernesto, Reading, Pa.
A Qualifier 3: 1. #67A Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, Ill.; 2. #44 Terry McCarl,
Altoona, Iowa; 3. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, Ill.; 4. #91AZ A.J. Fike,
Galesburg, Ill.; 5. #29W Cole Whitt, Alpine, Calif.; 6. #47 Cory Kruseman,
Ventura, Calif.; 7. #22AZ Mike Welker, Phoenix, Ariz.; 8. #35M Matt Sherrell,
Tulsa, Okla.; 9. #15B Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa; 10. #47S Stan Yockey,
Fresno, Calif.; 11. #35P Scott Pierovich, Alamo, Calif.; 12. #11K Kasey
Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash.
A Qualifier 4: 1. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, Calif.; 2. #50 Daniel Adler, East
Carondolet, Ill.; 3. #38 Mike Spencer, Temecula, Calif.; 4. #52R Ricky
Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, Miss.; 5. #7D Dan Boorse, Milwaukee, Wis.; 6.
#4E Bobby East, Brownsburg, Ind.; 7. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, Mo.; 8.
#12J Jeff Henry, Glendale, Ariz.; 9. #55J Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning,
Mich.; 10. #87 Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, Calif.; 11. #4X Billy Alley,
Lincoln, Neb.; 12. #19T Michael Trimble, Gilroy, Calif.
B Mains (Top 4 advance in each to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Torrance, Calif.; 2. #52R Ricky
Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, Miss.; 3. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda,
Calif.; 4. #4E Bobby East, Brownsburg, Ind.; 5. #11Z Travis Berryhill,
American Canyon, Calif.; 6. #55J Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning, Mich.; 7. #35P
Scott Pierovich, Alamo, Calif.; 8. #14A A.J. Ernesto, Reading, Pa.; 9. #19T
Michael Trimble, Gilroy, Calif.; 10. #2A Mark Bush, Cumming, Ga.; 11. #23
Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, Neb.; 12. #29W Cole Whitt, Alpine, Calif.; 13.
#07X Audra Sasselli, Visalia, Calif.; 14. #12J Jeff Henry, Glendale, Ariz.
DNS - #43C Rich Camfield, Decatur, Ill.; #17D Doug Rose, Temple, Pa.
B Main 2: 1. #47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, Calif.; 2. #73S Jonathan Beason,
Broken Arrow, Okla.; 3. #22AZ Mike Welker, Phoenix, Ariz.; 4. #14JR Matt
Streeter, Lathrop, Calif.; 5. #12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, Okla.; 6. #4L Doug
Lippincott, Reno, Nev.; 7. #36P Brad Paris, Brownsburg, Ind.; 8. #35M Matt
Sherrell, Tulsa, Okla.; 9. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, Mo.; 10. #4X Billy
Alley, Lincoln, Neb.; 11. #47S Stan Yockey, Fresno, Calif.; 12. #87 Alan
Ballard, Bakersfield, Calif.; 13. #97 P.J. Jones, Torrance, Calif.; 14. #8C
Bill Balog, Lafayette, Ind.; 15. #11K Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash.; 16. #15B
Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying "A" Main (25 laps - Top 4 Advance to
Saturday Night?s Main Event)
1. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, Ind.; 2. #20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, Ind.; 3.
#35 Mat Neely, Robinson, Ill.; 4. #67A Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, Ill.; 5.
#36 Jason Martin, Liberal, Kan.; 6. #F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, Okla.;
7. #7D Dan Boorse, Milwaukee, Wis.; 8. #15 Tim Siner, Waterloo, Ill.; 9. #4E
Bobby East, Brownsburg, Ind.; 10. #44 Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa; 11. #38
Mike Spencer, Temecula, Calif.; 12. #37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, Calif.;
13. #52R Ricky Stenhouse, Olive Branch, Miss.; 14. #47 Cory Kruseman,
Ventura, Calf.; 15. #73 Josh Ford, Ventura, Calif.; 16. #91AZ A.J. Fike,
Galesburg, Ill.; 17. #50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, Ill.; 18. #22AZ Mike
Welker, Phoenix, Ariz.; 19. #4B Ronnie Burke Jr., League City, Texas; 20.
#85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, Ind.; 21. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz,
Torrance, Calif.; 22. #14JR Matt Streeter, Lathrop, Calif.; 23. #12X Gary
Taylor, Wheat Ridge, Colo.; 24. #73S Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, Okla.
Chili Bowl Nationals Plow On Through Inclement Weather
TULSA, Okla. (January 12, 2007) - There
are a seemingly infinite number of reasons why thousands of race fans and
hundreds of race teams migrate to Tulsa, OK, each January for the highly
acclaimed O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
And one of the key reasons that the event has evolved into a virtual Race of
Champions for top shoes from all variety of motorsports since the event's
inception in 1987 is that the show goes on regardless of the weather
conditions outside the Tulsa Expo Center.
With a mix of precipitation already coming down upon Tulsa and bleak
forecasts for the balance of the weekend, the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili
Bowl Midget Nationals will go on undeterred with Friday night's Oklahoma
Dodge Dealers Qualifying Night followed up by Saturday's Oklahoma Dodge
Dealers Championship Saturday slate of feature events for the nearly 280
entries from throughout the United States, Australia and Canada.
NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne take on two-time Chili Bowl
champion Cory Kruseman and approximately 70 other contenders tonight, with
the top four finishers locking themselves into Saturday night's 50-lap
O'Reilly Chili BowI Nationals championship feature.
Eight driver have already secured starting positions for Saturday's feature,
including Wednesday's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying event winner Davey Ray
and Thursday's Bass Pro Shops Qualifying feature winner Shane Cottle. Also
locked in are Wednesday night runners Brad Kuhn, Casey Shuman and Donnie Ray
Crawford as well as Thursday reps Justin Allgaier, J.J. Yeley and Jason
Leffler.
Tonight's heat races fire off at 6:15 p.m., with Saturday's early features
getting under way at 1:00 p.m.
Cottle Throttles Chili Bowl Foes in Bass Pro Shops Qualifier
TULSA, Okla.
(January 11, 2007) - Indiana's Shane Cottle tracked down his first Chili
Bowl "A" Main win by wiring the field in Thursday night's Bass Pro Shops
Qualifying event at Tulsa Expo Raceway's 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl
Midget Nationals.
Cottle gunned into the lead from the front row outside at the drop of the
green flag and rode the rim to perfection all 25 laps to snare the victory
with young shoe Justin Allgaier chasing him underneath the checkered flag.
NASCAR rep J.J. Yeley shook off the effects of a wild heat race flip to
ultimately snare third in the Bass Pro Shops feature after picking off eight
positions in both his Last Chance and Qualifying races.
Jason Leffler prevailed in a wild battle of slidejobs with 2005 Chili Bowl
champ Tracy Hines to snare the fourth and final lock-in position to Saturday
night's 50-lap O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals championship feature.
"The track had a nice little cushion that you could kinda lean on, it was
nice," Cottle commented afterward. "If you didn't hit it right it would pick
the front end up and set it over. I did that on the last lap, kinda got the
last lap jitters I think. Anytime you can win something here, it's big."
To which Yeley jokingly commented, "He (Cottle) had a half straightaway or
straightaway lead most of the way, he had nothing to worry about."
After racing from fifth to second in his heat race and then from fourth to
win his qualifying race, Cottle had earned the outside front row starting
position for the feature alongside Leffler, who had raced his way to the
pole position by way of an eighth-to-second heat race charge then a
sixth-to-first qualifying race win.
The initial attempt to start the Bass Pro Shops feature event was waved off
when second row inside starter and USAC Sprint Car champion Josh Wise
tangled with Australian Mark Brown in turn four.
The second start was successful, with Cottle using the cushion to race into
the lead ahead of Leffler, Allgaier and Hines. While Cottle slipped away
from the field, the action behind him was intense with Allgaier battling
into second by the fourth round with seventh-starter Yeley entering the
multi-car mix for the runner-up slot as well.
When the caution flew on the seventh lap for Jesse Hockett's turn two
tumble, Cottle led the way in front of Allgaier, Yeley, Leffler and Hines.
Cottle was in
his own league on this night, weathering another pair of small cautions and
racing to victory lane virtually unchallenged aboard the Pace Brothers
Racing Chevy-powered No. 44c Beast.
Allgaier, who made the cut for his first O'Reilly Chili Bowl championship
feature last year, locked himself in with a strong second place drive aboard
Ebby Bergfield's Ethanol/Auto Xpres No. 86 Spike entry on a borrowed
powerplant.
"I'm not sure if the motor problems are resolved or not, we got a little hot
during the feature and it was smoking when I pulled in so that's probably
not a good sign," Allgaier explained. "We blew our motor up on the dyno last
week and this is a rental motor, kind of a last minute deal so we'll see
where things go from here and hopefully it didn't hurt it too bad."
Haunted by qualifying night gremlins in past years, Yeley's night started
off inauspiciously when he flipped Andy Bondio's Barnes-powered Kenny's
Components No. 47x entry while leading his heat race. Yeley rebounded to
charge from ninth to first in a Last Chance Race and then from eleventh to
third in his Qualifying Race to rack up enough passing and finishing points
to earn a starting berth in the Bass Pro Shops Qualifying main event.
Yeley cracked the top five in the early rounds and held down the show
position over the final 19 laps to secure a spot in the Oklahoma Dodge
Dealers Championship Saturday headliner.
Asked if his bad luck at the Chili Bowl was behind him, Yeley commented,
"Probably not, but at this point it doesn't really matter because if I have
some problems in the "A" Main on Saturday I'm probably done anyway. I've
used up a pretty good arsenal of all the spare parts at Bondio Fabrications
so Kruseman better take it easy tomorrow because I don't think there's
anything left."
Leffler and Hines offered up some of the most entertaining action of the
night, trading slidejobs repeatedly before Leffler finally took the critical
fourth position aboard his own Esslinger-powered Team ASE/Kaeding
Performance No. 71J Stealth.
Hines rounded out the top five, with Ryan Durst, Tyler Brown, Jonathan
Hendrick, Steve Buckwalter and Garrett Hansen completing the top ten.
Heat race victories for Thursday's 74-car Bass Pro Shops Qualifying event
were topped by Keith Rauch, Mark Brown, Robby Flock, Coleman Gulick, Hockett,
Kevin Swindell, Brandon Waelti, Durst, Adam Trimble and Wise.
Billy Pauch, Jr., Yeley, Hendrick and Patrick Bruns topped the 8-lap Last
Chance races, with Cottle, Leffler, Allgaier and Hines victorious in the
10-lap Qualifiers.
Hansen won the first 15-lap "B" Main with Mike Goodman topping the second
"B" Main. Goodman, last year's Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year, was caught up
in Hockett's lap seven "A" Main flip and forced pitside.
In addition to Yeley, Geoff Dodge and Garry Lee Maier both took wild rides
in heat race action. Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Larry Cole and Glenn Styres each
got upside down during the fourth Last Chance race. There were no injuries.
The third Qualifying Race featured a pair of the most spectacular flips in
Chili Bowl history. On the opening lap, Pennsylvania's Ray Bull climbed
Brandon Waelti's right rear tire and launched into a wild series of flips
into the work area outside turn three. While Bull walked away unharmed, his
Midget was badly battered.
Then, as the checkered flag flew on the third Qualifier, Chad Boat and
Garrett Hansen got together at the stripe and collected seventh-runner Wally
Pankratz. Pankratz flipped violently and after several moments, emerged from
his car with the aide of a backboard. The salty veteran recovered quickly
however, receiving clearance from medical personnel and returned for "B"
Main action only to have his mount suffer from lingering effects after a few
laps.
Defending Chili Bowl champ Tim McCreadie battled misfortune all evening,
ultimately credited with 16th in the second "B" Main and forced pitside with
a flat tire.
The 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals continues with Friday
night's Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying event, with heat races slated to
go green at 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday Night's 21st Annual Chili
Bowl Nationals Creek Nation Casino Qualifier Results:
Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 40 in passing points to four A Qualifiers; Balance
to four Last Chance races)
Heat 1: 1. #71R Keith Rauch, Thornton, Colo.; 2. #75 David Gough, Machesney
Park, Ill.; 3. #11M Mike Goodman, Tulsa, Okla.; 4. #45 Aaron Kirk, Conroe,
Texas; 5. #37X Billy Osta, Rotterdam, N.Y.; 6. #26 Glenn Carson, Concord,
Calif.; 7. #73X Dex Eaton, Owasso, Okla.; 8. #3A Bill Allen, Independence,
Mo.
Heat 2: 1. #71B Mark Brown, Sydney, Australia; 2. #44C Shane Cottle, Kokomo,
Ind.; 3. #8P Wally Pankratz, Orange, Calif.; 4. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco,
Calif.; 5. #51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, Calif.; 6. #96X Sam Hafertepe
Jr.; 7. #20N Jordan Noblitt, Columbus, Ind.; 8. #22X Glenn Styres, Ohsweken,
Ontario
Heat 3: 1. #19S Robby Flock, Murrieta, Calif.; 2. #71J Jason Leffler, Long
Beach, Calif.; 3. #14T Tony Rossi, Westminister, Colo.; 4. #7 Critter
Malone, Speedway, Ind.; 5. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, Calif.; 6.
#12C Rick England, Wichita, Kan. ; 7. #7M Michelle Decker, Guthrie, Okla.;
8. #0 Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, Texas
Heat 4: 1. #00 Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, N.Y.; 2. #24 Leon Bacon, Broken
Arrow, Okla.; 3. #21P Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla.; 4. #71 Conner Pullen,
Amarillo, Texas; 5. #58 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, Ind.; 6. #55 Tony
Everhart, El Cajon, Calif.; 7. #20S John Sarna, Palm Desert, Calif.; 8. #47X
J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, Ariz.
Heat 5: 1. #27C Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, Mo.; 2. #2C David Cardey, Perris,
Calif.; 3. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, Ariz.; 4. #XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado
Hills, Calif.; 5. #5X Patrick Bruns, Champaign, Ill.; 6. #17M Dean
Alexander, Hanford, Calif.; 7. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, Pa.
Heat 6: 1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, Tenn.; 2. #31X Joe Walker,
Harrisonville, Mo.; 3. #5D Zachary Daum, Pocahontos, Ill.; 4. #2X Bryan
Stanfill, Bakersfiled, Calif.; 5. #50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, Calif.; 6.
#22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, Okla.; 7. #45H Don Hammer, Clinton, Ill.
Heat 7: 1. #3W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 2. #86 Justin Allgaier,
Springfield, Ill.; 3. #21 Tracy Hines, Greenfield, Ind.; 4. #49 Billy Pauch
Jr., Frenchtown, N.J.; 5. 4W Edwin Wilson, Tuttle, Okla.; 6. #D1 Justin
Henderson, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 7. #500 Geoff Dodge, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Heat 8: 1. #91X Ryan Durst, Lincoln, Neb.; 2. #86C David Camfield Jr.,
Decatur, Ill.; 3. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 4. #1A Tim McCreadie,
Watertown, N.Y.; 5. #83X Samantha Taylor, Stoney Lake, Wash.; 6. #35X Korey
Weyant, Sprintfield, Ill.; 7. #11V Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, Kan.
Heat 9: 1. #73I Adam Trimble, Pueblo, Colo.; 2. 317 Chris Windom, Canton,
Ill.; 3. #21AZ Nathan High, Goodyear, Ariz.; 4. #22 Ray Bull, Royersford,
Pa.; 5. #4 Michele Miller, reading, Pa.; 6. #50T Roland Ayo, Houston, Texas;
7. #57K Randy Koch, Oregon, Wis.
Heat 10: 1. #11W Josh Wise, Riverside, Calif.; 2. #05X Greg Bragg, Visalia,
Calif.; 3. #86X Daron Clayton, Sikeston, Mo.; 4. #11D Dustin Morgan,
Collinsville, Okla.; 5. #79C Chris Sheil, Lakewood, Colo.; 6. #11R Larry
Cole, Porter, Okla.; 7. #6D Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, Wis.
Last Chance Races (Top 2 in each transfer to back of corresponding A
Qualifier)
Last Chance 1: 1. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, N.J.; 2. #25 Steve
Buckwalter, Royersford, Pa.; 3. #D1 Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, S.D.; 4.
#12C Rick England, Wichita, Kan.; 5. #50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, Calif.;
6. #37X Billy Osta, Rotterdam, N.Y.; 7. #73X Dex Eaton, Owasso, Okla.; 8.
#57K Randy Koch, Oregon, Wis.; 9. #0 Johnny Murcock, Kaufman, Texas
Last Chance 2: 1. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, Ariz.; 2. #51S Danny Sheridan,
Santa Maria, Calif.; 3. #6D Chad DeSelle, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 4. #20N Jordan
Noblitt, Columbus, Ind.; 5. #83X Samantha Taylor, Bonney Lake, Wash.; 6.
#79C Chris Sheil, Lakewood, Colo.; 7. #45H Don Hammer, Clinton, Ill.; 8. #55
Tony Everhart, El Cajon, Calif.; 9. #35X Korey Weyant, Springfield, Ill.
Last Chance 3: 1. #68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, Ind.; 2. #17M Dean
Alexander, Hanford, Calif.; 3. #7M Michelle Decker, Guthrie, Okla.; 4. #50T
Roland Ayo, Houston, Texas; 5. #3A Bill Allen, Independence, Mo.; 6. #26
Glenn Carson, Concord, Calif.; 7. #4 Michele Miller, Reading, Pa. DNS - #500
Geoff Dodge, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Last Chance 4: 1. #5X Patrick Bruns, Champaign, Ill.; 2. #22J Jasiel
Randolph, Tulsa, Okla.; 3. #22X Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, Ontario; 4. #20S
John Sarna, Palm Desert, Calif.; 5. #4W Edwin Wilson, Tuttle, Okla.; 6. #96X
Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, Okla.; 7. #11R Larry Cole, Porter, Okla. DNS -
#11V Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, Kan.
A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B
Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #44C Shane Cottle, Kokomo, Ind.; 2. #75 David Gough,
Machesney Park, Ill.; 3. #11W Josh Wise, Riverside, Calif.; 4. #05X Greg
Bragg, Visalia, Calif.; 5. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, Ill.; 6. #24
Leon Bacon, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 7. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, Pa.;
8. #21AZ Nathan High, Goodyear, Ariz.; 9. #49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown,
N.J.; 10. #2X Bryan Stanfill, Bakersfield, Calif.; 11. #7 Critter Malone,
Speedway, Ind.; 12. #1A Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
A Qualifier 2: 1. #71J Jason Leffler, Long Beach, Calif.; 2. #37B Tyler
Brown, Norco, Calif.; 3. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, Ariz.; 4. #19S Robby
Flock, Murrietta, Calif.; 5. #5D Zachary Daum, Pocahontas, Ill.; 6. #11M
Mike Goodman, Tulsa, Okla.; 7. #11D Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, Calif.; 8.
#45 Aaron Kirk, Conroe, Texas; 9. #73I Adam Trimble, Pueblo, Colo.; 10. #21P
Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla.; 11. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, Tenn.; 12.
#51S Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, Calif.
A Qualifier 3: 1. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, Ill.; 2. #68 Jonathan
Hendrick, Fortville, Ind.; 3. #71B Mark Brown, Sydney, Australia; 4. #27C
Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, Mo.; 5. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, Ariz.; 6. #70 Garrett
Hanson, Manhattan Beach, Calif.; 7. #8P Wally Pankratz, Orange, Calif.; 8.
#7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 9. #17M Dean Alexander, Hanford,
Calif.; 10. #3W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 11. #22 Ray Bull,
Bloomsburg, Pa. DNS - #2C David Cardey, Perris, Calif.
A Qualifier 4: 1. #21 Tracy Hines, Greenfield, Ind.; 2. #17 Chris Windom,
Canton, Ill.; 3. #91X Ryan Durst, Lincoln, Neb.; 4. #71R Keith Rauch,
Thornton, Colo.; 5. #XX Darrin Bolton, Eldorado Hills, Calif.; 6. #31X Joe
Walker, Harrisonville, Mo.; 7. #71 Conner Pullen, Amarillo, Texas; 8. #22J
Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, Okla.; 9. #86X Daron Clayton, Sikeston, Mo.; 10.
#14T Tony Rossi, Westminister, Colo.; 11. #00 Coleman Gulick, Binghamton,
N.Y.; 12. #5X Patrick Bruns, Champaign, Ill.
B Mains (Top 4 advance in each to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, Calif.; 2. #25 Steve
Buckwalter, Royersford, Pa.; 3. #5D Zachary Daum, Pocahontos, Ill.; 4. #30
Chad Boat, Phoenix, Ariz.; 5. #24 Leon Bacon, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 6. #86X
Daron Clayton, Sikeston, Mo.; 7. #3W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 8.
#7 Critter Malone, Speedway, Ind.; 9. #17M Dean Alexander, Hanford, Calif.;
10. #21AZ Nathan High, Goodyear, Ariz.; 11. #00 Cameron Gulick, Binghamton,
N.Y.; 12. #22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, Okla.; 13. #2C David Cardey, Perris,
Calf.; 14. #21P Daryon Pittman, Owasso, Okla.; 15. #5X Patrick Bruns,
Champaign, Ill. DNS - #8P Wally Pankratz, Orange, Calif.
B Main 2: 1. #11M Mike Goodman, Tulsa, Okla.; 2. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun
Prairie, Wis.; 3. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, Ill.; 4. #73I Adam
Trimble, Pueblo, Colo.; 5. #11D Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, Okla.; 6. #49
Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, N.J.; 7. #31X Joe Walker, Harrisonville, Mo.;
8. #2X Bryan Stanfill, Bakersfield, Calif.; 9. #71 Conner Pullen, Amarillo,
Texas; 10. #XX Darrin Bolton, Eldorado Hills, Calif.; 11. #51S Danny
Sheridan, Santa Maria, Calf.; 12. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, Tenn.; 13.
#14T Tony Rossi, Westminister, Colo.; 14. #45 Aaron Kirk, Conroe, Texas; 15.
#8P Wally Pankratz, Orange, Calif.; 16. #1A Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
DNS - #22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, Pa.
Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night "A" Main (25 laps - Top 4 Advance to
Saturday Night?s Main Event)
1. #44C Shane Cottle, Kokomo, Ind.; 2. #86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield,
Ill.; 3. #47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, Ariz.; 4. #71J Jason Leffler, Long Beach,
Calif.; 5. #21 Tracy Hines, Greenfield, Ind.; 6. #91X Ryan Durst, Lincoln,
Neb.; 7. #37B Tyler Brown, Norco, Calif.; 8. #68 Jonathan Hendrick,
Fortville, Ind.; 9. #25 Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, Pa.; 10. #70 Garrett
Hansen, Manhattan Beach, Calif.; 11. #71B Mark Brown, Sydney, Australia; 12.
#17 Chris Windom, Canton, Ill.; 13. #75 David Gough, Machesney Park, Ill.;
14. #05X Greg Bragg, Visalia, Calif.; 15. #7F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie,
Wis.; 16. #5D Zachary Daum, Pocahantas, Ill.; 17. #71R Keith Rauch,
Thornton, Calif.; 18. #73I Adam Trimble, Pueblo, Colo.; 19. #19S Robby
Flock, Murrietta, Calif.; 20. #30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, Ariz.; 21. #86C David
Camfield Jr., Decatur, Ill.; 22. #11M Mike Goodman, Tulsa, Okla.; 23. #27C
Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, Mo.; 24. #11W Josh Wise, Riverside, Calif.
Ray is in the Green in Chili Bowl Nationals Creek Nation Casino Qualifier
TULSA, Okla.
(January 10, 2007) - It was a pair of Badgers atop Wednesday night's Creek
Nation Casino Qualifying event at Tulsa Expo Raceway's 21st Annual O'Reilly
Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, with Davey Ray cashing in the biggest stack of
chips after outdueling Brad Kuhn in the 25-lap "A" Main event.
Ray, a former Badger Midget Auto Racing Association (BMARA), and reigning
BMARA king Kuhn diced in such heated fashion over the middle portion of the
race that third-generation teenage shoe Donnie Ray Crawford snuck into the
mix and nearly posted a monumental upset in his Midget racing debut.
But in the end, it was Ray slipping away after the race's final caution with
five laps to go to snare the win in front of Kuhn, with Casey Shuman making
a late move around Crawford to claim the show position. Moving up from the
Micro ranks, Crawford netted the fourth and final lock-in position to
Saturday night's 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event.
Of the epic mid-race slide job battle with Kuhn, Ray commented, "It's fun
when you can race with a guy that you know is not aiming to take you out.
Yeah, we rubbed there a little bit but that's pretty hard racing so I know
nothing's intentional between Brad and I. It's fun and it comes down to
getting hairy like that."
While Ray took the limelight in the finale, 2006 National Midget Driver of
the Year Kuhn was without question the star of the evening much of the way.
Kuhn charged from eighth to finish second in his heat race, ranking number
one in passing points among 69 entries after heat race action.
Kuhn backed it up in his qualifying race, advancing from sixth to take the
win and put the clamps on the pole position for the feature in the process.
But Ray was nearly matching him step for step. Ray raced from fifth to win
his heat race, then picked off four more positions by advancing from sixth
to second in his qualifier to earn the front row outside starting slot for
the feature.
Ray broke into the feature lead at the drop of Roger Slack's green flag and
paced the early rounds in front of Kuhn, Thomas Meseraull, Shuman and Danny
Lasoski. Ray and Kuhn slipped away from the rest of the field and were
encountering lapped traffic when the race's first caution flew after eleven
laps for Turkey Night winner Billy Wease's turn four spin.
Following a tangle involving Damion Gardner and Mike Hess two laps later,
the battle for the point intensified as Kuhn executed a bold slide job
entering turn one to take command. Ray rallied right back, recapturing the
lead with a similar slide a lap later.
Kuhn tried to return the favor a half lap later and got crossed up, allowing
a low riding Crawford to race by and suddenly enter the mix for the win.
Crawford had cracked the top five by disposing of Lasoski moments after the
lap eleven interruption. The young gun had then climbed to fourth by the
time the Gardner-Hess tangle occurred.
With Ray riding the rim and Crawford on the low side, the young gun began
challenging Ray for the lead when his pace was interrupted by a lap 18
stoppage for Russ Harper, who came to a stop in turn one.
With Ray leading the way, Kuhn battled past Crawford to reclaim second
before the final caution appeared for Evan Sewell's turn one trouble with
just five laps remaining.
Ray raced the cushion to perfection over the final laps to secure the win,
popping a crowd-pleasing wheelie as he took the checkered flag in the Mecum
Racing Chevy-powered No. 33x Mecum Auctions/DMI No. 33x Spike.
Kuhn, who raced from 15th to fourth in last year's Chili Bowl championship
feature event, settled for second aboard Dr. Kenneth Love's Stanton Mopar-powered
No. 71x Spike.
"I kinda felt bad for the guys, I thought we had a better car and I plowed
into the cushion and bent the Jacobs ladder pretty bad," Kuhn explained
afterward. "We were just kinda hangin' on and tried to make a go at Davey
there, but he's a class act and I just got outdrove, almost spun out trying
to get back by him. We'll just take our second and move on and try to get
that trophy on Saturday."
Shuman's late move aboard the Thornell Racing Sesco Mopar-powered No. 52s
James Development General Contractors Stealth netted third.
Of his last gasp pass of Crawford, Shuman explained that, "I was really just
trying to be a little more aggressive on the cushion to make sure I didn't
get passed by somebody on the bottom. I'm tickled to death with third, but
fourth would have had us locked us in. I was more trying to protect my
position and it worked out, we got it at the end.
Crawford opened the racing world's eyes with his fourth place finish in the
Keith Kunz Motorsports Fontana-powered No. 71k John Christner Trucking
Bullet.
Joe Boyles made an impressive charge through the field by racing from 15th
to round out the top five, with 13th-starter Jon Stanbrough, Meseraull, USAC
Midget champion Jerry Coons, Jr., Matt Westfall and Lasoski completing the
top ten.
Heat races were topped by Sammy Swindell, Ray, Don Droud, Jr., Brady Bacon,
Gardner, Johnny Rodriguez, Boyles, Chris Rahe and Coons. Mike Hess, Nick
Knepper, Brian Ramstack and Cody Brewer won the 8-lap Last Chance races,
with Kuhn, Shuman, Meseraull and Lasoski victorious in the 10-lap Qualifying
races.
Swindell wired the field in the first 15-lap "B" Main, with Levi Jones
emerging a top a dicey second "B" Main. Swindell, a four-time Chili Bowl
champion, was 20th in the main event with Jones climbing to 14th.
A total of 110 green flag laps were completed before the night's first flip
occurred when New York's Jessica Zemken got upside down in turn four during
the first Qualifying race. Other Qualifying Race flippers included Jones,
Rick Hendrix and Randy Hannagan, with Rodriguez toppling in the first "B"
Main. There were no injuries.
The 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals continues with Thursday
night's Bass Pro Shops Qualifying event, with heat races slated to go green
at 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday Night's 21st Annual Chili Bowl Nationals Creek Nation Casino
Qualifier Results:
Heat Races (Top 40 in passing points to four A Qualifiers; Balance to
four Last Chance races)
Heat 1: 1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Tenn.; 2. #71X Brad Kuhn, Avon,
Ind.; 3. #71P Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, Ind.; 4. #22E Evan Sewell, Jenks,
Okla.; 5. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 6. #39X Randy Hannagan,
Pittsboro, Ind.; 7. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, Kan.; 8. 33M John Wolfe,
Winchester, Ind.
Heat 2: 1. #33X Davey Ray, Love's Park, Ill.; 2. #12W Billy Wease,
Noblesville, Ind.; 3. #21A Jon Stanbrough, Brownsburg, Ind.; 4. #95K Rik
Forbes, Omaha, Neb.; 5. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, Ill.; 6. #96 Cody
Brewer, Choctaw, Okla.; 7. #F1 French Grimes, Madison, Va. DNS - #16 Tom
Bigelow, Winchester, Ind.
Heat 3: 1. #44D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, Neb.; 2. #71K Donnie Ray Crawford,
Broken Arrow, Okla.; 3. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, Ill.; 4. #91 Bugs Norbury,
Prescott Valley, Ariz.; 5. #22T Mike Woodruff, Satanta, Kan.; 6. #20C Carey
Becker, Reading, Pa.; 7. #2K Kyle Wissmiller, Saybrook, Ill.; 8. #85J Matt
Johnson, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Heat 4: 1. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 2. #5L Danny Lasoski,
Higginsville, Mo.; 3. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, Ohio; 4. #12H Rick
Hendrix, Canoga Park, Calif.; 5. #25K Nick Knepper, Belleville, Ill.; 6.
#33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, Ind.; 7. #1M Mike Miller, Reading, Pa.; 8.
#15N David Prickett, Fresno, Calif.
Heat 5: 1. #67 Damion Gardner, Concord, Calif.; 2. #9H Russ Harper, Watkins,
Colo.; 3. #5C Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, Mo.; 4. #17T Thomas Meseraull,
Avon, Ind.; 5. #02R Brian Ramstack, West Bend, Wis.; 6. #19W Troy
Rutherford, Ojai, Calif.; 7. #74 Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon, Calif.; 8.
#5AZ Shon Deskins, Waddell, Ariz.
Heat 6: 1. #7R Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, Calif.; 2. #F4 Jessica Zemken,
Sprakers, N.Y.; 3. #8E Tony Elliott, Warsaw, Ind.; 4. #125 Teddy Beach,
Donnelsville, Ohio; 5. 318 Tony Bruce Jr., Liberal, Kan.; 6. #57 Brian Gard,
Clovis, Calif.; 7. 31T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, Mo. DNS - #83 Kurt Blackaby
Heat 7: 1. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, Mo.; 2. #69 Darren Hagen, Riverside,
Calif.; 3. #21M Andy Martin, Gordonville, Pa.; 4. #51J R.J. Johnson,
Phoenix, Ariz.; 5. #07 Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, Calif.; 6. #5T Randy
Timms, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 7. #24H Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, Ind.
Heat 8: 1. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, Calif.; 2. #52S Casey Shuman,
Indianapolis, Ind.; 3. #2M Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, N.J.; 4. #1W Paul
White, Temple, Texas; 5. #27B Neil Shepher, Warsaw, Ind.; 6. #51 Mike Hess,
Riverton, Ill.; 7. #19N Nick O'Neal, Wagoner, Okla.
Heat 9: 1. #11 Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, Ariz.; 2. #37M Rip Williams, Yorba
Linda, Calif.; 3. #85X Matt Covington, Glenpool, Okla.; 4. #2 Danny
Stratton, Riverside, Calif.; 5. #13 Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn.; 6. #73E
Foster Landon, Collinsville, Okla.; 7. #18G Rickie Gaunt, Torrance, Calif.
Last Chance Races (Top 2 in each transfer to back of corresponding A
Qualifier)
Last Chance 1: 1. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, Ill.; 2. #31 Donnie Lehmann,
Springfield, Ill.; 3. #07 Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, Calif.; 4. #20C
Carey Becker, Reading, Pa.; 5. #85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, Okla.; 6.
#F1 French Grimes, Madison, Va. DNS - #24H Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, Ind.;
#83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, Ark.
Last Chance 2: 1. #25K Nick Knepper, Belleville, Ill.; 2. #73E Foster
Landon, Collinsville, Okla.; 3. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, Ind.; 4. #15N
David Prickett, Fresno, Calif.; 5. #2K Kyle Wissmiller, Saybrook, Ill.; 6.
#19N Nick O'Neal, Wagoner, Okla.; 7. #19W Troy Rutherford, Ojai, Calif. Note
- Rutherford was penalized to the end of the field after passing before the
cone on a restart
Last Chance 3: 1. #02R Brian Ramstack, West Bend, Wis.; 2. #39X Randy
Hannagan, Pittsboro, Ind.; 3. #18G Rickie Gaunt, Torrance, Calif.; 4. #57
Brian Gard, Clovis, Calif.; 5. #1M Mike Miller, Reading, Pa.; 6. #5AZ Shon
Deskins, Waddell, Ariz.; 7. #74 Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon, Calif.
Last Chance 4: 1. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, Okla.; 2. #1T Tony Roney,
Herculaneum, Mo.; 3. #18 Tony Bruce Jr., Liberal, Kan; 4. #5T Randy Timms,
Oklahoma City, Okla.; 5. #3M John Wolfe, Winchester, Ind.; 6. #16 Tom
Bigelow, Winchester, Ind.; 7. #1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, Kan.
A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to
twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #71X Brad Kuhn, Avon, Ind.; 2. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton,
Ill.; 3. #71K Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 4. #21A Jon
Stanbrough, Brownsburg, Ind.; 5. #21M Andy Martin, Gordonville, Pa.; 6. #9H
Russ Harper, Watkins, Colo.; 7. #2 Danny Stratton, Riverside, Calif.; 8. #5C
Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, Mo.; 9. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield,
Ill.; 10. #85X Matt Covington, Glenpool, Okla.; 11. #95K Rik Forbes, Omaha,
Neb.; 12. #F4 Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, N.Y.
A Qualifier 2: 1. #52S Casey Shuman, Indianapolis, Ind.; 2. #33X Davey Ray,
Love's Park, Ill.; 3. #37M Rip Williams, Yorba Linda, Calf.; 4. #7B Joe
Boyles, Greenwood, Mo.; 5. #25K Nick Knepper, Belleville, Ill.; 6. #125
Teddy Beach, Donnelsville, Ohio; 7. #73E Foster Landon, Collinsville, Okla.;
8. #22T Mike Woodruff, Satanta, Kan.; 9. #44D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, Neb.;
10. #91 Bugs Norbury, Prescott Valley, Ariz.; 11. #99 Brady Bacon, Broken
Arrow, Okla.; 12. #27B Neil Shepherd, Warsaw, Ind.
A Qualifier 3: 1. #17T Thomas Meseraull, Avon, Ind.; 2. #22E Evan Sewell,
Jenks, Okla.; 3. #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, Calif.; 4. #12W Billy Wease,
Noblesville, Ind.; 5. #02R Brian Ramstack, West Bend, Wis.; 6. #13 Jason
Sides, Bartlett, Tenn.; 7. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, Ill.; 8. #39X Randy
Hannagan, Pittsboro, Ind.; 9. #71P Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, Ind.; 10. #69
Darren Hagen, Riverside, Calif.; 11. #12H Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, Calif.;
12. #7R Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, Calif.
A Qualifier 4: 1. #5L Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, Mo.; 2. #14 Matt
Westfall, Ludlow Falls, Ohio; 3. #67 Damion Gardner, Concord, Calif.; 4. #11
Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, Ariz.; 5. #8E Tony Elliott, Warsaw, Ind.; 6. #91K
Kevin Bayer, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 7. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Tenn.;
8. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, Mo.; 9. 396 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, Okla.; 10.
#2M Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, N.J.; 11. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, Ariz.;
12. #1W Paul White, Temple, Texas
B Mains (Top 4 advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Tenn.; 2. #44D Don Droud Jr.,
Lincoln, Neb.; 3. #2 Danny Stratton, Riverside, Calif.; 4. #99 Brady Bacon,
Broken Arrow, Okla.; 5. #25K Nick Knepper, Belleville, Ill.; 6. #13 Jason
Sides, Bartlett, Tenn.; 7. #2M Frank Polimeda, Fort Lee, N.J.; 8. #12H Rick
Hendrix, Canoga Park, Calif.; 9. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, Okla.; 10. #73E
Foster Landon, Collinsville, Okla.; 11. F4 Jessica Zemken, Sprakers, N.Y.;
12. #71P Cruz Pedregon, Brownsburg, Ind.; 13. #125 Teddy Beach, Donnelsville,
Ohio; 14. #7R Johnny Rodriguez, Elk Grove, Calif.; 15. #21M Andy Martin,
Gordonville, Pa. DNS - #1W Paul White, Temple, Texas
B Main 2: 1. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, Ill.; 2. #5C Joey Montgomery,
Fredericktown, Mo.; 3. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, Ill.; 4. #9H Russ
Harper, Watkins, Colo.; 5. #8E Tony Elliott, Warsaw, Ind.; 6. #39X Randy
Hannagan, Pittsboro, Ind.; 7. #85X Matt Covington, Glenpool, Okla.; 8. #1T
Tony Roney, Herculaneum, Mo.; 9. #95K Rik Forbes, Omaha, Neb.; 10. #02R
Brian Ramstack, West Bend, Wis.; 11. #27B Neil Shepher, Warsaw, Ind.; 12.
#91 Bugs Norbury, Prescott Valley, Ariz.; 13. #91K Kevin Bayer, Broken
Arrow, Okla.; 14. #69 Darren Hagen, Riverside, Calif.; 15. #22T Mike
Woodruff, Satanta, Kan.; 16. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, Ariz.
A Main (25 laps - Top 4 Advance to Saturday Night?s Main Event)
1. #33X Davey Ray, Love's Park, Ill.; 2. #71X Brad Kuhn, Avon, Ind.; 3. #52S
Casey Shuman, Indianapoli,s Ind.; 4. #71K Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow,
Okla.; 5. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, Mo.; 6. #21A Jon Stanbrough,
Brownsburg, Ind.; 7. #17T Thomas Meseuraull, Avon, Ind.; 8. #11 Jerry Coons
Jr., Tucson, Ariz.; 9. #14 Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, Ohio; 10. #5L Danny
Lasoski, Higginsville, Mo.; 11. #31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, Ill.; 12.
#2 Danny Stratton, Riverside, Calif.; 13. #44D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, Neb.;
14. #20J Levi Jones, Olney, Ill.; 15. #51 Mike Hess, Riverton, Ill.; 16. #99
Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 17. #37M Rip Williams, Y orba Linda,
Calif.; 18. #12W Billy Wease, Noblesville, Ind.; 19. #9H Russ Harper,
Watkins, Colo.; 20. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Tenn.; 21. #5C Joey
Montgomery, Fredericktown, Mo.; 22. #22E Evan Sewell, Jenks, Okla.; 23. #67
Damion Gardner, Concord, Calif. DNS - #3C Chris Rahe, Placentia, Calif.
Bubba Altig Saves Best for Last in Tuesday Chili Bowl Pre-Qualifying Event
TULSA,
Okla. (January 9, 2007) - The 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals
kicked off in most spectacular fashion with Illinois racer Gary "Bubba"
Altig making a dramatic pass in the final corner to win Tuesday night's
Warren CAT Pre-Qualifying 25-lap feature event.
Utilizing the topside of the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval, Altig
charged from fourth on a restart with just two laps remaining to nip Jordan
Noblitt for the win at the line. Noblitt, who had just taken command on the
22nd lap, spun across the finish line after the pair made contact dicing for
the point, holding onto second as a near-capacity crowd roared its approval
of the initial Tuesday night event in O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals history.
"I came from last, but on that last restart he (Noblitt) went to the bottom
and I just went high," Altig explained of his monumental triumph. "He was
running high almost the whole race when I was following him and when I saw
him go to the bottom I just hauled it in there as hard as I could and hoped
for the best."
While Altig topped the event for Chili Bowl rookies and relative newcomers
from his 13th starting position, it was California lady racer Randi Pankratz
that made a valiant effort to become the first female racer to top a Chili
Bowl "A" Main.
Pankratz earned the pole position for the feature and gunned into the early
lead ahead of fellow front row starter Rafe Essary. Pankratz proceeded to
lead the opening 22 circuits, fending off several challenges before slipping
to fifth in the frenetic final laps.
Pankratz was first challenged by Essary, who was mounting a charge when his
powerplant gave way after seven laps. Jonathan Henry slipped around Noblitt
for second at the midway point and made a run for the lead entering turn one
on the 16th lap, only to climb Pankratz' right rear tire and flip into the
turn two fencing.
Tony Roney made his way past Noblitt for second just three laps later, only
to have the move negated for another Henry flip. Henry was done for the
night after the turn four endo.
With just seven laps remaining, Pankratz led the way in front of Noblitt and
Roney with Altig mired back in ninth after a cone violation earlier in the
race that had sent him to the tail of the field.
"I hit the cone, I was running I think tenth and had to go all the way back
to 24th," Altig commented of his earlier miscue.
With the top of the track coming into form, Altig pounded the cushion and
climbed to fifth by the time a critical caution that also negated Noblitt's
pass of Pankratz for the point, appeared with 22 laps in the books.
When Joe Wipperfurth flipped a lap later, Altig gained another position when
fourth-runner Jay Ervine stalled his mount. Meanwhile, Noblitt had
successfully charged past Pankratz and was in the catbird seat with a
two-lap dash to the checkered flag awaiting.
Roney and Altig both made quick work of Pankratz on the restart, with Altig
then disposing of Roney as the white flag flew. Altig quickly moved in on
Noblitt and edged ahead by less than a car length aboard the Fontana-powered
Bullet Leasing/Cathy's Manufactured Homes No. 67a Stealth as the checkered
flag flew.
"My car was working really good everywhere, I could go top, bottom or
middle," Altig explained. "I passed a lot of cars on the bottom up until I
got to about sixth, then Noblitt actually showed me the top and that's the
only reason I went to the top."
Noblitt settled for runner-up honors aboard Kevin Noblitt's Ford-powered
Columbus Silgas No. 20n Beast. "Everybody knows in dirt racing that if you
want to protect a position you go to the bottom, so I had to go to the
bottom and he came smoking in there on the high side and he just barely got
around me," Noblitt commented.
Micro ace Tony Roney took the show position in his Midget racing debut at
the helm of Richard Roney's Fontana-powered Finish Line Fabrication No. 1T
Stealth. Roney commented that, "I think the car worked good on the bottom
and I think I might have had something for these guys, but I'm happy to
finish third. It was a different race, a lot of cars in front of me messed
up and blew motors and wrecked and I'm happy to finish third."
Matt Streeter charged from the 19th position to snare fourth at the line,
with Pankratz settling for fifth. Brian Ramstack raced from 16th to snare
sixth, with 21st-starter Adam Trimble, 23rd-starter Billy Osta, Mark Bush
and 22nd-starter Brad Paris completing the top ten.
The top ten, along with eleventh through fifteenth place finishers Samantha
Taylor, Ernie Bartley III, C.J. Sarna, Jeff Griffin and Bill Balog earned
berths in the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night Qualifying events.
With the triumph, Altig moves on to Friday night's Oklahoma Dodge Dealers
Qualifying card along with Matt Streeter, Adam Trimble, Brad Paris and C.J.
Sarna.
Runner-up Noblitt snared a spot in Thursday night's Bass Pro Shops
Qualifying event along with Randi Pankratz, Billy Osta, Samantha Taylor and
Jeff Griffin.
Roney advanced to Wednesday's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Showdown by
virtue of his third place finish, with Brian Ramstack, Mark Bush, Ernie
Bartley III and Bill Balog also earning Wednesday starting berths.
Ervine, Pankratz, Griffin, Essary, Altig, Henry, Wipperfurth, Joey Fabozzi
and Ramstack each captured heat race wins for the 69-car Warren CAT
Pre-Qualifying field. Garrett Hood and Brian Harvey topped twin "C" Main
action, with Streeter and Balog topping the twin "B" Mains.
Colorado's Dave Scroggs became the official first flip victim of the 21st
Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals when he went for a wild ride down the
frontstretch in the evening's third heat race. Other heat race flippers were
Jonathan Cornell and Hood.
Terry Goodwin and Jody Rosenboom both got upside down in the First "B" Main,
with Second "B" Main tumblers including Brian Carter, Dakoda Armstrong,
Leroy Holler and Billy Mentgen.
There were no injuries.
The 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals continues with
Wednesday night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifier, with racing action slated
to get under way at 6:15 p.m.
Tuesday Night's 21st Annual Chili Bowl Nationals Warren CAT Pre-Qualifier
Results:
Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 18 in passing points to A Main; Next 32 to
two B Mains; Balance to C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. Jay Ervine, Litchfield, Ariz.; 2. C.J. Sarna, Palm Desert,
Calif.; 3. Brad Paris, Brownsburg, Ind.; 4. Kellen Love, Lincoln, Neb.; 5.
Kalene Verville, Avondale, Ariz.; 6. Todd McVay, Lee?s Summit, Mo. DNS -
Matt DeWitt, Houston, Texas; Joe Duvall, Chelsea, Okla.
Heat 2: 1. Randi Pankratz, Atascadero, Calif.; 2. Matt Streeter, Lathrop,
Calif.; 3. Kyle Bellm, Nixa, Mo.; 4. Adam Trimble, Pueblo, Calif.; 5. Brian
Cater, Frisco, Texas; 6. Kellen Conover, Sumner, Ill.; 7. Randy Monroe, Jr.,
Hampton, Va. DNS - Harley Hollan, Broken Arrow, Okla.
Heat 3: 1. Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, Calif.; 2. Mark Bush, Cumming, Ga.; 3.
Cameron Beard, Atwater, Calif.; 4. Austin Brown, Millstadt, Ill.; 5. John
Ricketts, Burleson, Texas; 6. Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, Iowa; 7. Dave
Scroggs, Arvada, Colo.; 8. Jacob Slotten, Menasha, Wis.
Heat 4: 1. Rafe Essary, Farmington, Ark.; 2. Jordan Noblitt, Columbus, Ind.;
3. Billy Osta, Rotterdam, N.Y.; 4. Chris Walkter, Oak Grove, Mo.; 5. Dakoda
Armstrong, Newcastle, Ind.; 6. Eddie Martin, Ada, Okla.; 7. Terry Goodwin,
Phoenix, Ariz.; 8. Leroy Holler, Independence, Mo.
Heat 5: 1. Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, Ill.; 2. Tony Roney, Herculaneum, Mo.;
3. Brian Harvey, Hanford, Calif.; 4. Buddy Luebke, Stoughton, Wis.; 5.
Jonathan Cornell, Sedalia, Mo.; 6. Steve Stone, Mesa, Ariz.; 7. Kerry
Sandusky, Chicago, Ill. DNS - 02 Bryon Walters, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Heat 6: 1. Johnathan Henry, Stockton, Calif.; 2. Samantha Taylor, Bonney
Lake, Wash.; 3. Doug McCune, Fort Worth, Texas; 4. Alex Harris, Simi Valley,
Calif.; 5. Josh Most, Red Oak, Iowa; 6. Brian Harvey, Hanford, Calif.; 7.
Roy Larkin, Tulsa, Okla. DNS - Kevin Burgess, Stotts City, Mo.
Heat 7: 1. Joe Wipperfurth, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 2. Bill Balog, Layfayette,
Ind.; 3. Todd Plemons, Arvada, Colo.; 4. Steve Davis, Norco, Calif.; 5.
Dalton Cole, Pryor, Okla.; 6. Eddie Sauer, David, Ill.; 7. Doug DeWitt,
Sunnyvale, Calif.
Heat 8: 1. Joey Fabozzi, Norco, Calif.; 2. Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon,
Calif.; 3. Todd Kimmel, Avon, Ind.; 4. Tayler Malsam, Sammamish, Wash.; 5.
Tom Everhart, El Cajon, Calif.; 6. Toni Kruck, Copalopa, Australia; 7.
Garrett Hood, Concordia, Kan.
Heat 9: 1. Brian Ramstack, West Bend, Wis.; 2. Billy Mentgen, Arvada, Colo.;
3. Trish Dover, Springfield, Neb.; 4. Mallory Armfield, St. Joseph, Mo.; 5.
Matt Sargent, San Jose, Calif.; 6. Will Pierce, Lee?s Summit, Mo.; 7. Ryan
Ameln, Hollister, Calif.
C Mains (Top 2 transfer to Back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. Garrett Hood, Concordia, Kan.; 2. Terry Goodwin, Phoenix,
Ariz.; 3. Steve Stone, Mesa, Ariz.; 4. Joe Duvall, Chelsea, Okla.; 5. Eddie
Sauer, Davis, Ill.; 6. Matt DeWitt, Houston, Texas; 7. Kellen Conover,
Sumner, Ill.; 8. Roy Larkin, Tulsa, Okla.; 9. Jacob Slotten, Menasha, Wis.
DNS - 5K Kevin Burgess, Stotts City, Mo.
C Main 2: 1. Brian Harvey, Hanford, Calif.; 2. Leroy Holler, Independence,
Mo.; 3. Bryon Walters, Beaver Dam, Wis.; 4. Ryan Ameln, Hollister, Calif.;
5. Toni Kruck, Copalopa, Australia; 6. Doug DeWitt, Sunnyvale, Calif.; 7.
Kerry Sandusky, Chicago, Ill. DNS - Dave Scroggs, Arvada, Colo.; Harley
Hollan, Broken Arrow, Okla.
B Mains (Top 3 advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. Matt Streeter, Lathrop, Calif.; 2. Adam Trimble, Pueblo,
Calif.; 3. Billy Osta, Rotterdam, N.Y.; 4. Matt Sargent, San Jose, Calif.;
5. Trish Dover, Springfield, Neb.; 6. Mallory Armfield, St. Joseph, Mo.; 7.
Kaylene Verville, Avondale, Ariz.; 8. Jonathan Cornell, Sedalia, Mo.; 9.
Alex Harris, Simi Valley, Calif.; 10. Todd Kimmel, Avon, Ind.; 11. Chett
Gehrke, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 12. Josh Most, Red Oak, Iowa; 13. Tayler Malsam,
Sammamish, Wash.; 14. John Ricketts, Burleson, Texas; 15. Garrett Hood,
Concordia, Kan.; 16. Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, Iowa; 17. Todd McVay,
Lee?s Summit, Mo.; 18. Terry Goodwin, Phoenix, Ariz.
B Main 2: 1. Bill Blalog, Layfayette, Ind.; 2. Brad Paris, Brownsburg, Ind.;
3. Dalton Cole, Pryor, Okla.; 4. Chris Walker, Oak Grove, Mo.; 5. Eddie
Martin, Stilwell, Okla.; 6. Doug McCune, Fort Worth, Texas; 7. Austin Brown,
Millstadt, Ill.; 8. Randy Monroe, Jr., Hampton, Va.; 9. Will Pierce, Lee?s
Summit, Mo.; 10. Buddy Luebke, Stoughton, Wis.; 11. Kellen Love, Lincoln,
Neb.; 12. Tom Everhart, El Cajon, Calif.; 13. Billy Mentgen, Arvada, Colo.;
14. Steve Davis, Norco, Calif.; 15. Leroy Holler, Independence, Mo.; 16.
Dakoda Armstrong, Newcastle, Ind.; 17. Brian Carter, Frisco, Texas DNS -
Brian Harvey, Hanford, Calif.
A Main (25 laps - Top 15 Advance to Qualifying Nights)
1. Gary Altig, Mechanicsburg, Ill.; 2. Jordan Noblitt, Columbus, Ind.; 3.
Tony Roney, Herculaneum, Mo.; 4. Matt Streeter, Lathrop, Calif.; 5. Randi
Pankratz, Atascadero, Calif.; 6. Brian Ramstack, West Bend, Wis.; 7. 73I
Adam Trimble, Pueblo, Calif.; 8. Billy Osta, Rotterdam, N.Y.; 9. Mark Bush,
Cumming, Ga.; 10. Brad Paris, Brownsburg, Ill.; 11. Samantha Taylor, Bonney
Lake, Wash.; 12. Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon, Calif.; 13. C.J. Sarna, Palm
Desert, Calif.; 14. Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, Calif.; 15. Bil Balog,
Lafeyette, Ind.; 16. Jay Ervine, Litchefield, Ariz.; 17. Joey Fabozzi,
Norco, Calif.; 18. Joe Wipperfurth, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 19. Dalton Cole,
Pryor, Okla.; 20. Johnathan Henry, Stockton, Calif.; 21. Todd Plemons,
Arvada, Colo.; 22. Rafe Essary, Farmington, Ark.; 23. Kyle Bellm, Nixa, Mo.;
24. Cameron Beard, Atwater, Calif.
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals Winner? Media Survey Says?
TULSA, Okla. (January 7, 2007) - Let's face it, work productivity levels
have been on the decline all across the nation in recent weeks as
conversation has noticeably switched to the red-hot topic of "Who will win
the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals at Tulsa Expo Raceway?"
Can two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup champ Tony Stewart add a second Golden
Driller to the mantle? Will defending Chili Bowl champ Tim McCreadie become
the first back-to-back winner in event history? Will Kasey Kahne, or one of
about 275 others, become the 16th different winner in Chili Bowl history?
Will Cory Kruseman or J.J. Yeley give car owner Andy Bondio a fourth Golden
Driller? Or can Sammy Swindell add one for the thumb?
A number of esteemed members of the Auto Racing media have been polled (and
we all know how painful that can be), each sharing their opinion on who the
winner may be. There are no prizes for making the correct prediction (other
than bragging rights), and no harsh penalties for an incorrect selection.
Much like the atmosphere that surrounds the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals itself, it's all in good fun. So, kick back and enjoy.
And for the record, the experts were shut out last year, with nobody
selecting eventual winner Tim McCreadie. So, be wary before blowing rent
money on any of the following selections.
Here's what the experts have to say:
Tony Bokhoven - Chili Bowl Announcer
Selection - Kasey Kahne
"Coming off of a solid NASCAR Nextel Cup season, Kasey Kahne has the
momentum and promise to win Midget Racings biggest event. Kasey has proved
that he is still competitive in open wheel cars recently while in Australia,
and various other runs in 2006. He has had slow starts in previous Chili
Bowls, but finishes solid. Kasey is poised and ready to add a Golden Driller
to the already impressive collection of Winner trophies."
T.J. Buffenbarger - www.tjslideways.com
Selection - Jerry Coons, Jr.
"Jerry Coons, Jr. has come close in past years by winning preliminary
events. Coons will roll through the Chili Bowl similar to what Jay Drake did
after his stellar 2000 season and will win the 2007 Chili Bowl Nationals."
Bryan Gapinski - Founder, National Midget Driver of the Year award
Selection - Dave Darland
"Without a doubt the only race more difficult to pick a winner for other
than the O'Reilly Chili Bowl would be the Boston Marathon. Last year I
picked Danny Stratton and I think he will be a top five contender all week
this year, however it should be noted that three of the last four winners of
this event the team has been based out of Wisconsin.
This year possibly the most potent four car effort ever for the Chili Bowl
comes out of the famed Wilke-PAK Motorsports garages with Jerry Coons Jr.,
Dave Darland, Josh Wise and Kasey Kahne driving. This team won in 2005 with
Hines. This year Im picking the number five car. The Ralph Wilke led effort
on this car with Dave Darland driving is on everyone's short list and mine
for victory. The new car has been run only once late last year with a
victory by Coons at Angell Park. If I'm wrong it could be only spoiled by
the fact Darland is beaten by one of his teammates."
Gary Guehler - Texas Motor Speedway
Selection - Billy Boat
"Predicting the winner of the O'Reilly Chili Bowl is kind of like guessing
how much snow will fall this winter in Colorado - you know it will happen
but are clueless about everything else. Anyway, let's give it a shot. My
prediction is that 1997 Chili Bowl champ Billy Boat will take the Golden
Driller back to Arizona. Patience is a virtue on qualifying nights and
Boat's IRL experience will pay off here. Plus he is a true midget racer. My
backup picks - completing a West Coast trifecta - are 2000 and 2004 Chili
Bowl winner Cory Kruseman and Mr. Electricity Damion Gardner. It is
suggested that fans not use their Chili Bowl beverage money to place a Las
Vegas wager using these picks!"
Len Hayward - Sports Editor, Midland Reporter Telegram (Midland, TX)
"Too many entries to pick just one. So here's five favorites and five wild
cards".
Favorites
Sammy Swindell - The four-time champ is due for another win.
Tony Stewart - Hungry to make up for not racing last year.
Kasey Kahne - Kahne plus Wilke-Pak could equal Golden Driller.
J.J. Yeley - If he makes it through the qualifying night unscathed he will
contend for the win.
Cory Kruseman - Always tough in Tulsa.
Wild Cards
Tim McCreadie - Winning once maybe a fluke, winning twice means this guy
should switch jobs.
P.J. Jones - Always fast at the Chili Bowl but usually ends up on tough
qualifying night.
Terry McCarl - He may be a rookie at the Chili Bowl but he could turn some
heads.
Dave Darland - Hungry for first Chili Bowl and it may come this year.
Jerry Coons Jr. - Another part of the strong Wilke-Pak contingent."
Alan Holland - www.hoseheads.com
Selection - Cory Kruseman
"Cory...Sammy...Cory...Sammy....I have to go with Cory Kruseman and the Andy
Bondio #47. They are always fast and in the hunt."
Don Hubbard - Columnist, Sooner Circles
Selection - J.J. Yeley
"I am going to pick JJ Yeley this year he has been so close and one helluva
driver who thrills the crowd each year and his past background both in
sprints and midgets has its merits. He deserves to be the 2007 National
Chili Bowl Champion."
Jack Miller - Columnist, Sprint Car & Midget Magazine
Selection - Brady Bacon
"I am going to go way out on a limb and predict a local driver to win the
Chili Bowl. We have only had one local driver win the big race and that was
Andy Hillenberg. Although I believe Andy may not have won that race if the
Jones Brothers had not taken each other out of the race. So, I am going to
go with Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow since he has shown the most improvement
over this past season. and he has the most desire to succeed in his all new
race team.. Skill, car, luck and desire will be the key factors in this
year's Chili Bowl champion and Brady Bacon will have them all."
Jerry Reigle - Area Auto Racing News/The Patriot News
Selection - Ray Bull/Steve Buckwalter
"I've come to learn that predicting a Chili Bowl Nationals winner is like
finding that special slot machine that will buzz loudly with triple
diamonds. But hey, one must find it, and one must pick a Chili Bowl winner.
So, here it goes. The Golden Driller will return east of the Mississippi
again this year. More specific, it's coming east of the Ohio border to
Pennsylvania, either to Bloomsburg or Royersford, home of Ray Bull and Steve
Buckwalter, respectively.
Bull is Chili Bowl treasure. He finished 19th in 2004, fifth in 2005 and was
teased last year with a DNQ. Now, that's how you make a man thirst for the
big prize. Give him a taste of the Chili Bowl finals then take it away. Last
season, Bull broke away from racing full-time with ARDC, spent some time on
the road and honed some skills that should break him into an Okie Victory
Lane. Buckwalter is simply one of the best all-around midget-car drivers who
doesn't live in Indiana, Illinois or Ohio. He can adapt to the circumstance,
a necessary skill to win the Chili Bowl.
Yep, we'll take Bull and Buckwalter. That's two picks - an easy out - but
that's how we play our slots back here...two at a time."
John Rittenoure - Tulsa World Correspondent
Selection - J.J. Yeley
"Yeley showed his potential in 2003 when he advanced from the H to the D
feature then in 2004 he topped that advancing 69 positions as he worked his
way from the F feature to third in the A main. If Yeley can stay out of
trouble and put all that effort into the A main 2007 just might be his
year."
Pat Sullivan
Selection - Jerry Coons, Jr.
"Classy veteran has had great success at the Chili Bowl in the past and
comes off a great year with a formidable team. He is, however, among a bevy
of drivers who have what it takes to win."
Randy Ward - KSAN-TV Sports Director / Chili Bowl Announcer
Selection - Jesse Hockett
"Despite sliding results through Jesse's previous three Chili Bowl events,
this is the year Jesse Hockett will turn things around and prevail as the
one hoisting the Golden Driller. In 2005 Hockett tasted victory, okay it was
the 'K' Feature, but that just sets the stage for this year's great triumph.
During his 2006 racing season Jesse captured wins in 12 events and captured
the O'Reilly Sprint Bandit Midwest Swing Championship over some of nations
best non-wing drivers. That success gives Jesse the confidence to win the
21st edition of the Chili Bowl."
Justin Zoch - Editor, Flat Out Magazine
Selection - Cory Kruseman
"Broken record alert! Just as I have for the last five years, my money is
going into the Cory Kruseman/Andy Bondio sweepstakes. With two wins, two
seconds and two thirds in the last eight Bowls, how could you bet against
this guy? Kruseman has developed into the most feared force at the Chili
Bowl, and you can feel a change in atmosphere when the 47 hits the track. If
the crowd is reacting, I have to believe the other competitors realize what
a force this combo is too."
After putting each of the above on the spot (and thanks to all for your
participation), I would be remiss if I didn't climb out on the proverbial
limb as well by attempting the nearly impossible - predicting a winner for
the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
So, here it is.
Lonnie Wheatley
Selection - Jon Stanbrough
"Stanbrough loves the Tulsa Fairgrounds. After racing through four early
Saturday features in his '04 Chili Bowl rookie effort, his next visit was on
the big track in a USAC Sprinter when he spotted the field a ¾-lap advantage
and still charged all the way up to fourth without any yellow flag assists
along the way.
The Indiana non-winger has made the last two Chili Bowl features, finishing
14th in '05 then improving to sixth last year. After piling up 21 feature
wins during the 2006 season, look for the quiet one to make some noise on
Saturday night as he lays claim to the Golden Driller trophy."
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals Information:
What: 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway ? ¼-mile clay oval inside the Tulsa Exposition
Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When:
January 9 -13, 2007
Tuesday - Warren CAT Pre-Qualifying Night
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday - Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night
Friday - Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying Night
Saturday - Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday Feature Events
Past Winners: Tim McCreadie (2006), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and
1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tracy
Hines (2005), Tony Stewart (2002), 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).
Current Entries: 280 entries from 28 different states as well as Australia,
surpassing the 2006 Chili Bowl record of 260 competitors.
Past winners already entered include Tony Stewart, Sammy Swindell, Cory
Kruseman, Dan Boorse, Tracy Hines and defending race champion Tim McCreadie.
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Wednesday through
Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more
is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers
approximately 20,000 square feet.
Preferred Parking: A limited number of Preferred Parking spaces are still
available for all five nights of the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals by
calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Buffet: The cafeteria at the east end of the Tulsa Expo Center will offer an
all-you-can-eat buffet each day at just $12 for adults and only $6 for
children ten years of age and under. The buffet is available from 11:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and then 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on
Saturday.
Tickets: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 21st
Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals were depleted at the end of June.
General admission for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event will be available
at the gate for $20 per person. Pit passes for all five nights are
available.
O'Reilly Chili Bowl on the Net: All five nights of racing action will be webcast live at www.racinboys.com.
Complete information, including entry lists, updates and official results is
available at www.chilibowl.com.
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals - Seven Days and Counting!
TULSA, Okla. (January 2, 2007) - Just seven more days. That's all that
remains before one of the most anticipated events in all of auto racing
fires off inside the Tulsa Expo Raceway, the 21st edition of the O'Reilly
Chili Bowl Nationals.
Next Tuesday night, January 9, marks the first of five nights of wild and
unpredictable Midget racing, with the first ever Pre-Qualifying event for
the record field of 279 entries. Tuesday's Warren CAT Pre-Qualifier will
identify the top contenders for Chili Bowl Cinderella-story status.
Three full nights of qualifying action follow on Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday, with the likes of Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and J.J. Yeley elbows up
and wheel-to-wheel with Sprint Car aces such as Sammy Swindell, Danny
Lasoski and Cory Kruseman, Midget champs such as Jerry Coons, Jr., Brad Kuhn
and Brady Bacon, Late Model standouts including Tim McCreadie, Josh Richards
and Brian Birkhofer along with NHRA drag racing rep Cruz Pedregon.
And then it all comes down to Saturday, when one driver lays claim to the
Golden Driller troply.
The entry list is a veritable "who's who" of auto racing from which
predicting a winner is a precarious task. Case in point, prior to last
year's 20th Anniversary of the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, few
would have boldly predicted that a Late Model and DIRT Modified ace from New
York would take the Golden Driller.
But that's exactly what happened, as Tim McCreadie locked himself into
Saturday night's finale with a last lap pass of Brady Bacon in Wednesday
night's qualifier to take the fourth and final lock-in position, then
battled forward from the tenth position and pulled a shocker in front of a
capacity audience, schooling the elite in the open wheel ranks at their very
own game in the process.
Can Tim McCreadie repeat? After racing to the 2006 World of Outlaws Late
Model championship, can McCreadie become the first back-to-back Chili Bowl
champion in event history?
They'll somehow cram approximately 280 race teams, trailers and all, into
the Tulsa Expo Center next Monday. And then, let the racing action begin.
Just seven more days.
Entry Update:
The current entry count is 279. Michael Colegrove's entry has been
withdrawn, with new additions including Cameron Beard and Eddie Martin.
Darren Hagen has swapped rides, vacating the Pace No. 44 machine in favor of
the RFMS No. 69 originally slated for A.J. Fike. Hagen will remain on
Wednesday night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifier roster.
The Pace Bros. team has shuffled the No. 44 entry to Friday night's Oklahoma
Dodge Dealers Qualifier, with Ryan Pace slated to take over driving duties.
Nebraska's Don Droud, Jr., piloting the Pace Bros. No. 44d entry, has
switched from Friday night to Wednesday night.
Brad Kuhn, garnering National Midget Driver of the Year honors in 2006, has
switched from Friday to Wednesday as well.
A competitor with the National Sprint Tour in 2006, Jason Sides has been
named the driver of Steve Smith's Hawk-powered No. 13 entry. Sides will
qualify on Wednesday night.
Additional O'Reilly Chili Bowl information:
What: 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway - ¼-mile clay oval inside the Tulsa Exposition
Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When: January 9-13, 2007. Tuesday - Warren CAT Pre-Qualifying Night;
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night; Thursday - Bass Pro Shops
Qualifying Night; Friday - Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying Night; Oklahoma
Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday - Features
Past Winners: Tim McCreadie (2006), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and
1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tracy
Hines (2005), Tony Stewart (2002), 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).
Current Entries: 279 entries from 28 different states as well as Australia,
surpassing the 2006 Chili Bowl record of 260 competitors.
Past winners already entered include Tony Stewart, Sammy Swindell, Cory
Kruseman, Dan Boorse, Tracy Hines and defending race champion Tim McCreadie.
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Wednesday through
Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more
is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers
approximately 20,000 square feet.
Preferred Parking: A limited number of Preferred Parking spaces are still
available for all five nights of the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals by
calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Buffet: The cafeteria at the east end of the Tulsa Expo Center will offer an
all-you-can-eat buffet each day at just $12 for adults and only $6 for
children ten years of age and under. The buffet is available from 11:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and then 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on
Saturday.
Tickets: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 21st
Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals were depleted at the end of June.
General admission for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event will be available
at the gate for $20 per person. Pit passes for all five nights are
available.
O'Reilly Chili Bowl on the Net: All five nights of racing action will be
webcast live at www.racinboys.com.
Complete information, including entry lists, updates and official results is
available at www.chilibowl.com.
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals
Nightly Lineups Announced!
TULSA, Okla. (December 27, 2006) - With the qualifying night assignments now
determined for the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals, a record field
of 278 entries will take to the Tulsa Expo Raceway quarter-mile, indoor clay
oval for five nights of Midget racing action on January 9-13.
The field is comprised of entries from 27 different states as well as
Australia with top guns from all variety of motorsports disciplines,
including NASCAR, NHRA, Sprint Cars, Midgets, Late Models and more
converging upon the city of Tulsa in pursuit of the coveted Golden Driller
winner's trophy.
A half dozen of the entered drivers have already captured the Golden Driller
on at least one occasion, including 2002 winner Tony Stewart, 2005 victor
Tracy Hines and defending champion Tim McCreadie. The only three drivers to
snare more than one Chili Bowl victory are entered as well, including
four-time winner Sammy Swindell (1989, 1992, 1996, 1998) and two-time
champions Cory Kruseman (2000 and 2004) and Dan Boorse (1999 and 2003).
A total of 198 entries have been distributed over the Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday Qualifying events to vie for starting positions in Saturday's
full slate of championship events, which will likely commence with twin "L"
Mains before finally culminating in Saturday night's 50-lap O'Reilly Chili
Bowl Nationals championship "A" Main event.
Another 80 entries have been designated for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying
event, added this year to accommodate the continuously increasing car count.
The top 15 finishers from Tuesday's Pre-Qualifier will advance to the
Qualifying Night events. The balance of Tuesday's field will start in
Saturday's early features.
A quick look at each night's entries follows.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - Warren CAT Pre-Qualifying Night
Tuesday's Pre-Qualifiers are available at
http://www.chilibowl.com/2007QualPre.asp.
The current count for the first Pre-Qualifier in O'Reilly Chili Bowl history
stands at 80 and stands to pick up several more by the time the mighty
Midgets fire to life for the Tuesday afternoon practice, which precedes that
night's Pre-Qualifier. One sturdy cat will claw his or her way to Tuesday
night's victory podium, with the top fifteen all moving on to Qualifying
nights where some will ultimately make their Chili Bowl mark. The balance of
the field gets an early wake up call on Saturday.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
Wednesday's Qualifiers are available at
http://www.chilibowl.com/2007QualWed.asp.
The wagering pools heat up on Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night at the
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals, with some of the headliners including
four-time Chili Bowl champ Sammy Swindell, reigning NST kingpin and former
World of Outlaws Sprint Car champion Danny Lasoski, USAC Midget champion
Jerry Coons, Jr., and west coast wingless Sprint ace Damion Gardner.
Other Creek Nation Casino Wednesday night aces include 2005 USAC Sprint Car
champion Levi Jones, Jon Stanbrough, Johnny Rodriguez, Danny Stratton, Troy
Rutherford, Darren Hagen, Mike Hess, NHRA straight-liner Cruz Pedregon and
16-year-old Broken Arrow, OK, sensation Brady Bacon.
Past Wednesday night winners: Danny Lasoski (2006), Josh Ford (2005), Danny
Lasoski (2004), Dan Boorse (2003), Kevin Doty (2002).
Wednesday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Eight or more years of Chili Bowl
experience): Donnie Lehmann 17, Sammy Swindell 16, Danny Lasoski 15, Dave
Camfield, Sr. 10, Jerry Coons, Jr. 9, Tony Elliott 9, Nick O'Neal 9, Joe
Boyles 8, A.J. Fike 8, Rick Hendrix 8, Mike Hess 8, Matt Westfall 8.
Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Wednesday's Entries:
Sammy Swindell 15, Danny Lasoski 14, Jerry Coons, Jr. 7, Matt Westfall 5,
Tony Elliott 4, Donnie Lehmann 4, Rick Hendrix 3, Joe Boyles 2, Mike Hess 2,
Davey Ray 2, Troy Rutherford 2, Jon Stanbrough 2, A.J. Fike 1, Damion
Gardner 1, Luke Icke 1, Johnny Rodriguez 1, Casey Shuman 1, Danny Stratton
1, Paul White 1.
Thursday, January 11, 2007 - Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night
Thursday's Qualifiers are available at
http://www.chilibowl.com/2007QualThu.asp.
The masses are decked out in hunting gear and go fishing for a winner on
Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night at the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals,
with some of the top contenders including defending race champion Tim
McCreadie (who vies to become the first back-to-back winner in event
history), 2005 Chili Bowl champ Tracy Hines, 2006 USAC Sprint Car champion
Josh Wise and current NASCAR Nextel Cup rep J.J. Yeley, the author of much
Chili Bowl lore in recent years.
Some other top guns on Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night include Jason Leffler,
Bobby East, Kevin Swindell, Shane Cottle, Ray Bull, Steve Buckwalter,
Garrett Hansen, and Owasso, OK, World of Outlaw sprint shoe Daryn Pittman,
who returns to the Chili Bowl for the first time since 2001.
Past Thursday night winners: Jay Drake (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Jason
Leffler (2004), Scott Hatton (2003), Tracy Hines (2002), Jay Drake (2001),
Dave Darland (2000), Kevin Doty (1999), Jason Leffler (1998), Dave Blaney
(1997), Billy Pauch (1996), Billy Boat (1995), Page Jones (1994), Dave
Blaney (1993), Kevin Doty (1992), Lealand McSpadden (1991), John Heydenreich
(1990).
Thursday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Eight or more years of Chili Bowl
experience): Edwin Wilson 15, Randy Koch 14, Critter Malone 14, Bill Allen
12, Dave Camfield, Jr. 12, Keith Rauch 12, Tracy Hines 10, Jason Leffler 10,
J.J. Yeley 10, Robby Flock 9, Aaron Kirk 9, Johnny Murdock 9, Aaron Fike 8.
Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Thursday's Entries:
Tracy Hines 8, Jason Leffler 8, Randy Koch 7, J.J. Yeley 4, Shane Cottle 3,
Robby Flock 3, Keith Rauch 3, Steve Buckwalter 2, Ray Bull 2, Chad Deselle
2, Bobby East 2, Aaron Fike 2, Critter Malone 2, Tim McCreadie 2, Josh Wise
2, Justin Allgaier 1, Danny Ebberts 1, Aaron Fiscus 1, David Gough 1,
Garrett Hansen 1, Mike Goodman 1, Daryn Pittman 1, Brandon Waelti 1.
Friday, January 12, 2007 - Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying Night
Friday's Qualifiers are available at
http://www.chilibowl.com/2007QualFri.asp.
Throngs of O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals patrons vigorously grab life
by the horns on Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying Night, which features
NASCAR Nextel Cup stars Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne along with two-time
Chili Bowl king and reigning USAC/CRA wingless Sprint Car champion Cory
Kruseman and past USAC triple crown champion Dave Darland.
Also part of a fierce field that is anything but cute are the likes of
former Chili Bowl champion and IRL veteran Billy Boat, National Midget
Driver of the Year Brad Kuhn, two-time Chili Bowl winner Dan Boorse, P.J.
Jones, Don Droud, Jr., Mike Spencer, Late Model standout Brian Birkhofer and
Wayne Johnson, who thrilled last year's Saturday crowd with a rousing drive
from Saturday F Main action to the A Main.
Past Friday night winners: Cory Kruseman (2006), Cory Kruseman (2005), Jerry
Coons, Jr. (2004), Cory Kruseman (2003), Cory Kruseman (2002), Jay Drake
(2001), Cory Kruseman (2000), Dan Boorse (1999), Sammy Swindell (1998),
Donnie Beechler (1997), Donnie Beechler (1996), Ron Shuman (1995), Ron
Shuman (1994), Ken Schrader (1993), Ken Schrader (1992), Sammy Swindell
(1991), Sammy Swindell (1990), Rich Vogler (1989), Danny Frye, Jr. (1988),
Gene Gennetten (1987).
Friday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Eight or more years of Chili Bowl experience):
Ron Kuhn 17, Dan Boorse 16, Rich Camfield 16, Steve Newman 15, Tony Stewart
10, Dave Darland 9, P.J. Jones 9, Cory Kruseman 9, Tim Siner 8.
Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Friday's Entries: Dan
Boorse 9, Dave Darland 8, Cory Kruseman 8, Tony Stewart 8, P.J. Jones 6,
Billy Boat 5, Shane Carson 4, Kasey Kahne 4, Rich Camfield 2, Don Droud, Jr.
2, Josh Ford 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Wayne Johnson 1, Brad Kuhn 1.
Saturday, January 13, 2007 - Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday
The action gets rolling early on Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship
Saturday at the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals, with the twin "K" Mains, or
more likely twin "L" Mains, getting the green flag at approximately 1:00
p.m.
Memorable charges through the alphabet are always a strong possibility as a
bad shake from Lady Luck on a Qualifying night can bury a top contender deep
in the Saturday grid. In 2003, Sammy Swindell charged from "E" Feature
action to the "A" Main before slicing through the field up to second in only
20 laps before mechanical woes denied what could have ranked as perhaps the
most spectacular victory in event history.
A year later, J.J. Yeley passed 69 cars on Saturday by charging from an "F"
Main to a third place finish in the championship feature. Then last year,
Wayne Johnson juiced up the crowd with a dazzling drive from an "F" Main to
the "A".
The Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday alphabet soup of features
culminates with the night's O'Reilly Chili Bowl championship "A" Main event,
where 24 drivers all strive to leave the competition in the proverbial dust
in the 50-lap capper. But at the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals, the final
outcome is never sealed until that final checkered flag flies.
Additional O'Reilly Chili Bowl information:
What: 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway - ¼-mile clay oval inside the Tulsa Exposition
Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When: January 9-13, 2007. Tuesday - Warren CAT Pre-Qualifying Night;
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night; Thursday - Bass Pro Shops
Qualifying Night; Friday - Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying Night; Saturday
- Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday Features
Past Winners: Tim McCreadie (2006), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and
1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tracy
Hines (2005), Tony Stewart (2002), 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).
Current Entries: 278 entries from 27 different states, surpassing the 2006
Chili Bowl record of 260 competitors.
Past winners already entered include Tony Stewart, Sammy Swindell, Cory
Kruseman, Dan Boorse, Tracy Hines and defending race champion Tim McCreadie.
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Wednesday through
Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more
is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers
approximately 20,000 square feet.
Preferred Parking: A limited number of Preferred Parking spaces are still
available for all five nights of the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals by
calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Buffet: The cafeteria at the east end of the Tulsa Expo Center will offer an
all-you-can-eat buffet each day at just $12 for adults and only $6 for
children ten years of age and under. The buffet is available from 11:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and then 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on
Saturday.
Tickets: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 21st
Annual O?Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals were depleted at the end of June.
General admission for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event will be available
at the gate for $20 per person. Pit passes for all five nights are
available.
O'Reilly Chili Bowl on the Net: All five nights of racing action will be
webcast live at www.racinboys.com.
Complete information, including entry lists, updates and official results is
available at www.chilibowl.com.
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals - 255 Entries are Unveiled!
TULSA, Okla. (December 15, 2006) - Less
than a month away, the anticipation continues to build with each passing day
for the upcoming 21st edition of the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals, which
takes place atop the ¼-mile clay oval inside the Tulsa Expo Center on
January 9-13, 2007.
And with the pre-entry deadline of December 15 now reached, the entry count
has climbed to a staggering total of 255, with drivers from 27 different
states as well as Australia represented among what already ranks among the
most competitive fields in the prestigious history of Tulsa Expo Raceway's
Chili Bowl Nationals.
Top drivers from all variety of motorsports disciplines will descend upon
the city of Tulsa in pursuit of the coveted Golden Driller trophy, with the
likes of two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and
J.J. Yeley headlining a seemingly endless list of lead-footed contenders for
the crown in the Midget racing spectacular.
The complete list of entries for the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl
Nationals is available at
http://www.chilibowl.com/2007entrieschilibowl.asp.
Stewart, the 2002 Chili Bowl champion, is one of a half dozen past race
winners already entered, with others including four-time Chili Bowl ace
Sammy Swindell, two-time winners Cory Kruseman and Dan Boorse, along with
2005 winner Tracy Hines and defending Chili Bowl champion Tim McCreadie, who
will vie to become the first back-to-back winner in event history.
McCreadie went on to win the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model series
championship, with other '06 title holders among the pre-entries including
three-time Chili Bowl runner-up Danny Lasoski (National Sprint Tour), Josh
Wise (USAC Sprint Cars), Jerry Coons, Jr. (USAC Midgets), Brad Kuhn
(National Midget Driver of the Year/BMARA Midgets/POWRi Midgets), Dave
Darland (Oval Nationals winner), Jon Stanbrough (Non-Wing Sprint Car Driver
of the Year), Jesse Hockett (Sprint Bandits TNT Midwest Tour), Brady Bacon (SMRS
Midgets) and Garry Lee Maier (NCRA Sprints) just to name a few.
Last January, McCreadie became the first winner in Chili Bowl history with a
background outside of the open wheel Sprint Car and Midget ranks. McCreadie,
a Late Model and DIRT Modified specialist, will be joined by several other
Late Model hotshoes at the '07 Chili Bowl including Josh Richards and Brian
Birkhofer, a past World 100 winner who is gearing up for his first Chili
Bowl Nationals.
The 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals kicks off on Tuesday night,
January 9, with the first-ever Pre-Qualifying Event, which was added to
accommodate the ever bulging car count.
The top 15 finishers from Tuesday's Pre-Qualifier will advance to the
Qualifying Night events, in which the entries will be split into thirds of
approximately 65-70 competitors per night on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
The top four finishers from the Qualifying Night features will automatically
lock into the Saturday night, January 13, Chili Bowl championship feature,
with the balance of Saturday's championship feature events lined up
according to Qualifying Night finishes.
Originally a two-day event that attracted 52 entries in 1987, the O'Reilly
Chili Bowl Midget Nationals has evolved into a five-night extravaganza of
indoor, dirt track midget racing, and ranks among the world's most
prestigious auto racing events.
Reserved seating for all four nights of the event was depleted by June 30.
General admission tickets for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifier will be
available at the gate, with pit passes also available for all five night of
racing.
Additional information regarding the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is
available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777.
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals Pre-Entry Stats:
Most Chili Bowls Competed In (Among Pre-Entered Drivers): Donnie Lehmann 17,
Brad Kuhn 16, Sammy Swindell 16, Dan Boorse 16, Rich Camfield 16, Edwin
Wilson 15, Danny Lasoski 15, Steve Newman 15, Critter Malone 14, Randy Koch
14, Bill Allen 12, Dave Camfield, Jr. 12, Tony Stewart 10, Tracy Hines 10,
J.J. Yeley 10, Jason Leffler 10, Dave Camfield, Sr. 10.
Most Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts (Among Pre-Entered Drivers):
Sammy Swindell 15, Danny Lasoski 14, Dan Boorse 9, Dave Darland 8, Tony
Stewart 8, Tracy Hines 8, Cory Kruseman 8, Jason Leffler 8, Jerry Coons, Jr.
7, Randy Koch 7, P.J. Jones 6, Matt Westfall
Chili Bowl Tuesday Pre-Qualifier Tickets Available in Advance
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA, Okla. (November 24, 2006) - Race fans finalizing
plans for the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, which takes
place at the Tulsa Expo Raceway on January 9-13, 2007, can avoid Tuesday
night's Pre-Qualifying event ticket lines by ordering tickets in advance.
Tickets to the Tuesday night Pre-Qualifying card, recently added to
accommodate ever increasing car counts and facilitate the efficiency of the
three Qualifying events, are available for just $20 per person. Tickets for
the Tuesday night Pre-Qualifier, at which seating is open, may be ordered by
calling the O'Reilly Chili Bowl ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Advance ticket orders for the Tuesday night Pre-Qualifier must be placed
before December 20. There will be no Tuesday night advance ticket sales
after that date.
Tickets for the balance of the 21st Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals were
sold in four-night ticket packages, with all packages sold upon the June 30
ticket renewal deadline.
A record 260 competitors converged upon Tulsa, OK, for the 20th running of
the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in January 2006, with New York's Tim
McCreadie pulling off one of the biggest upsets in event history by becoming
the first driver from a background outside the open wheel ranks to capture
the coveted Golden Driller trophy.
The January 14 victory kicked off a prosperous year for McCreadie, as he
went on to capture the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model series championship.
McCreadie joined a prestigious list of Chili Bowl Nationals winners that
includes Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and
2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tracy Hines (2005), Tony Stewart (2002),
Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg
(1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich
(1990), Scott Hatton (1988) and Rich Vogler (1987).
The 21st edition of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals will once again attract
the top drivers from all variety of motorsports disciplines, including the
likes of NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and J.J. Yeley.
The Tuesday night, January 9, Pre-Qualifier event, will be followed by three
full Qualifying events on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with the 21st
Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals championship feature events on
Saturday, January 13, 2007.
Advance discount pit vouchers for the four nights covering Wednesday through
Saturday are available for just $150.
Additional information regarding the O?Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is
available at www.chilibowl.com
or by calling 918-838-3777.
Last Call for O'Reilly Chili Bowl Ticket Renewals!
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA, Okla. (June 18, 2006) - The clock is ticking for
race fans planning on renewing ticket orders for the upcoming 21st Annual
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, with less than two weeks remaining
until the June 30 renewal deadline passes by.
Ticket holders from the 2006 O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals only have
until the close of business on Friday, June 30, to retain tickets for the
21st running of the prestigious indoor, dirt track racing Midget event at
the Tulsa Expo Raceway, which will take place January 10-13, 2007.
Once the June 30 deadline has passed, any remaining tickets will be allotted
to new orders and increased orders on a first-come, first-served basis, with
early orders being filled first.
The 20th edition of the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, which
culminated on January 14, featured a record total of 260 entries with top
drivers from numerous racing disciplines throughout the nation vying for the
coveted Golden Driller trophy.
Taking the final checkered flag before a packed house on
January 14 was Late Model and DIRT Modified ace Tim McCreadie of Watertown,
NY, a surprise victor as he became the first winner in Chili Bowl history to
come from a racing background outside the open wheel Sprint Car or Midget
ranks.
McCreadie joined a prestigious list of Chili Bowl Nationals winners that
includes Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and
2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tracy Hines (2005), Tony Stewart (2002),
Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg
(1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich
(1990), Scott Hatton (1988) and Rich Vogler (1987).
NASCAR stars Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and J.J. Yeley are among those that
are expected to compete in the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals.
Tickets for all four nights of racing action are available for just $154.
Four-day ticket holders also receive free admission to the Tuesday
afternoon, January 9, practice session slated for 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tickets may be ordered via the secure on-line site at
www.chilibowl.com with Visa,
MasterCard or American Express, or by calling the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals office at 918-838-3777 during business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. CDT, Monday through Friday.
Additional information regarding the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is
available at www.chilibowl.com
or by calling 918-838-3777.
The 2006 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Rookie Crop Results
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA, Okla. (January 18, 2006)- Of this
year's record 260 entries for the 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals at Tulsa Expo Raceway, 72 of the competitors were taking in their
first edition of the Chili Bowl.
Oklahoma racers Mike Goodman and Wayne Johnson, a pair of experienced Sprint
Car shoes, each made their Midget racing debut a successful one by making it
to Saturday night's 50-lap Championship A Main event.
After an impressive fifth place finish in Friday night's feature, Tulsa's
Goodman took full advantage of a front row B Feature starting slot to win
Saturday's second B Main to advance to the feature in Jack French's Gaerte-powered
Fasco Fiber Optics No. 11m Ellis.
Johnson's road to the A Main aboard Wayne Simmons' Esslinger-powered No. F5
machine was a more difficult one.
After suffering a flat tire during heat race action on his qualifying night,
the Oklahoma City native charged through his Last Chance race then was
battling for a transfer position to the A Main when he got caught up in a
multi-car tangle on the final round and was ultimately credited with a 14th
place finish in his B Feature.
As a result, Johnson started Saturday's action mired in the second F Main.
It proved to be to the fans' benefit however, as Johnson turned in a classic
charge through the Chili Bowl's famous alphabet soup of features, passing 53
cars en route to an A Feature starting berth.
Goodman took the checkered flag 17th in the main event after being caught up
in a tangle, while Johnson was credited with 23rd after making an early exit
due to brake problems.
A handful of other rookies advanced as far as Saturday's B Feature action,
including West Virginia Late Model shoe Josh Richards, Indiana teen Brent
Beauchamp, California racers Darren Hagen and Cole Whitt and Tennessee's
Kevin Swindell.
A look at the top 30 rookies' Saturday feature results from the 20th Annual
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is as follows:
11m - Mike Goodman (Tulsa, OK) - 17th in A Feature; 1st in B Feature
1
F5 - Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) - 23rd in A Feature; 5th in B Feature 2; 5th in C Feature 2; 3rd in D Feature 2; 4th in E Feature 2; 3rd in F Feature 2 (Passed 53 cars while climbing from the 2nd F Main to the A Main)
27 - Josh Richards (Shinnston, WV) - 7th in B Feature 2
85x - Brent Beauchamp (Fairland, IN) - 11th in B Feature 1
71 - Darren Hagen (Riverside, CA) - 13th in B Feature 1
29w - Cole Whitt (Alpine, CA) - 18th in B Feature 2; 2nd in C Feature 2
39 - Kevin Swindell (Germantown, TN) - 20th in B Feature 1
68 - Jonathan Hendrick (Fortville, IN) - 8th in C Feature 2
12 - Trey Robb (Newcastle, OK) - 10th in C Feature 2; 1st in D Feature 2
77e - Dave Ely (West Lawn, PA) - 11th in C Feature 2
31h - Justin Henderson (Sioux Falls, SD) - 15th in C Feature 2
71c - Chad Kemenah (Findlay, OH) - 17th in C Feature 1
44p - Ryan Pace (Arroyo Grande, CA) - 10th in D Feature 1
17x - Audra Sasselli (Fresno, CA) - 7th in E Feature 1; 4th in F Feature 1; 1st in G Feature 1
37b - Zac Osborn (Muncie, IN) - 7th in E Feature 2; 2nd in F Feature 2
5z - Zach Daum (Pocahontas, IL) - 8th in E Feature 2
49 - Billy Pauch, Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ) - 10th in E Feature 1; 2nd in F Feature 1
83 - Kurt Blackaby (Bentonville, AR) - 11th in E Feature 1
98 - Curtis Bailey (Bartlesville, OK) - 12th in E Feature 2
4m - Scott Milan (Ft. Collins, CO) - 14th in E Feature 1
17k - Kenny Adams (Normal, IL) - 15th in E Feature 2
30 - Chad Boat (Phoenix, AZ) - 16th in E Feature 1
19s - Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK) - 6th in F Feature 2
31x - Joe Walker (Harrisonville, MO) - 7th in F Feature 1; 3rd I G Feature 1; 4th in H Feature 1; 3rd in I Feature 1; 4th in J Feature 1; 1st in K Feature 1
2b - Brady Short (Bedford, IN) - 13th in F Feature 1
25 - Nick Knepper (Belleville, IL) - 15th in F Feature 1
21m - Andy Martin (Gordonsville, PA) - DNS F Feature 2
22x - Dex Eaton (Owasso, OK) - 7th in G Feature 2
86x - Daron Clayton (Sikeston, MO) - 9th in G Feature 1
27b - Todd Kimmel (Avon, IN) - 9th in G Feature 2
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Special Awards
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA, Okla. (January 17, 2006)- A number of special
awards were distributed during Saturday's opening ceremonies for the 20th
Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Among the honorees was the legendary, now-retired Eldora Speedway promoter
Earl Baltes, who served as Grand Marshall for the 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili
Bowl Midget Nationals. Baltes ranks among the most successful promoters in
the history of dirt track racing, establishing the Rossburg, OH, Eldora
Speedway as one of the premier dirt tracks in the nation.
Picking up a $1,000 bonus from Advantage Trucks & Salvage for the Best
Appearing car was the Harry and Louise Conklin entries of No. 5s Darren
Stewart and No. 5d Gary Taylor. The 84-year-old Harry Conklin has owned
racecars for 60 years.
Several awards from the 2005 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals were handed out as
well, including the Wayne Servaies Wildcard Award to New York's Tim
McCreadie. McCreadie finished ninth in his rookie Chili Bowl appearance in
2005 before capturing the big win on Saturday night. Past Wildcard Award
winners include Chad DeSelle, Luke Icke, Critter Malone and Aaron Fike.
Indiana car owner Scooter Ellis was presented with the 2005 Ron Hughes
Sportsmanship Award, joining past winners Steve Knepper, Johnny Heydenreich,
Cory Kruseman, Lee Bundy, Jack Hewitt, Dave Darland, Dean Erfurth, Jeremy
Sherman, Larry Brown, Donnie Lehmann, John Lawson, Ken Schrader, Randy
Roberts and Lealand McSpadden.
Picking up the 2005 Kwik Change Hard Luck award was Arizona's Casey Shuman,
who was the first driver forced pitside in the 2005 Chili Bowl championship
finale. Shuman joined 2004 and 2003 recipients Kasey Kahne and Cory Kruseman
as Hard Luck Award winners.
By turning in the top passing performance in a 2005 Chili Bowl preliminary
feature, Illinois veteran Kevin Olson picked up the second G.W. Elkins
award. Dan Boorse captured the initial Elkins award in 2004.
A record total of 260 competitors from 31 different states competed in the
20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
More information regarding the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is
available at
www.chilibowl.com.
McCreadie Masters O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Tim McCreadie celebrates his triumph in the 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at Tulsa Expo Raceway on Saturday night. (Photo by Lonnie Wheatley)
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA, Okla. (January 14, 2006)-
Watertown, New York's Tim McCreadie fought his way into the lead on the 35th
round then slipped away from Jay Drake and Cory Kruseman over the final few
circuits to capture the coveted Golden Driller trophy in Tulsa Expo
Raceway's 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals 50-lap
Championship feature on Saturday night.
The 15th different winner in the storied history of the prestigious event,
the triumph by the accomplished Late Model and DIRT Modified racer was
considered an upset by many, as he is the first Chili Bowl champion without
an extensive background in Sprint Car or Midget racing.
But McCreadie's victory aboard Steve Smith's No. 1a Hawk Engine Development
Spike-chassis couldn't come as a complete surprise after he locked himself
into Saturday night's championship feature with a fourth place finish in
Wednesday night's Creek Nation Casino Qualifying feature in just his second
Midget racing outing, following a ninth place Chili Bowl championship
feature finish in 2005.
Joined by the Hooter's Girls, Saturday night's top three finishers in the 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals finale display their winner's hardware. The top three from left to right are runner-up Jay Drake, winner Tim McCreadie with his Golden Driller trophy and third-place finisher Cory Kruseman. (Photo by Lonnie Wheatley)
"This is by far and away the biggest race I've won, so I'm happy, real
happy," McCreadie stated to the media at the post-race press conference.
"They say a blind squirrel can find a nut every once in a while I guess. I
thought I gave it away when I tried going to the top but I was a little too
snug for up there and couldn't keep it from wheelie-ing a little bit and
thought I gave it back and Cory was gonna drive by and drive off. It's a lot
of luck, they made one mistake and I was fortunate enough to be there when
it happened."
While McCreadie gridded Saturday's feature on the fifth row outside, it was
Thursday's Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores Qualifying night winner
Drake and Friday's Warren CAT Qualifying Night winner Kruseman leading the
way to the green flag from the front row with Danny Lasoski and Jon
Stanbrough in the second row.
Drake gunned into the lead at the drop of the green flag, as Kruseman tucked
in behind him with Lasoski and Stanbrough in tow. Action was interrupted
after just one lap however, when Justin Allgaier climbed over Sammy
Swindell's left rear tire and dumped his mount in turn one, also collecting
Mike Goodman and Tracy Hines. Allgaier retired for the night, with Goodman
and Hines rejoining the fray.
Kruseman kept the pressure on Drake when action resumed, slipping underneath
in turns one and two on the fifth lap to apparently take the lead. But
Kruseman's move was negated when the caution flew for Kasey Kahne's
overturned mount at the exit of turn four, precipitating a caution. Kahne's
machine was righted and he rejoined the field in 23rd position.
Drake led the way on the restart, with Stanbrough quickly dashing past
Lasoski for third. A lap later, Lasoski lost another position as
sixth-starter Steve Kinser charged by. Lasoski lost another pair of
positions by the tenth round and would later retire from the race.
Running eighth after Kahne's lap five tumble, McCreadie had cracked the top
five by the tenth round, one lap before a caution flew for Jason Leffler's
turn four spin. Chasing Drake, Kruseman and Stanbrough, McCreadie climbed to
fourth when he clipped fourth-running Kinser entering turn one on the 15th
lap. The caution flew for Kinser's resulting spin, with Kinser making a
quick trip to the work area to change a cut left rear tire before returning.
"I feel bad for Kinser, he didn't deserve to go out like that and I
apologize for it," McCreadie later stated from victory lane.
When Stanbrough jumped the turn one cushion on the ensuing restart and fell
deep in the field, McCreadie found himself in third and on the heels of past
Chili Bowl champions Drake and Kruseman.
McCreadie went to work in short order, disposing of Kruseman for second on
the 17th lap. Not giving up on a third Chili Bowl crown, Kruseman moved to
the top of the track and raced back around McCreadie for second on the 23rd
lap.
Drake, Kruseman and McCreadie ran in tight formation a half straightaway
ahead of four-time Chili Bowl winner Sammy Swindell, who was on the move
from twelfth, until the caution flew after 25 laps for Lasoski's disabled
mount in turn two.
McCreadie battled back past Kruseman on the 28th lap and quickly went to
work on Drake, pulling even on the low side of turns one and two several
times. Drake fought off the bids and McCreadie fell to third as Kruseman
found his rhythm on the high side and was challenging for the point when
Steve Buckwalter came to a halt with 32 laps in the books.
Kruseman later explained, "I wasn't as good as Jay on the bottom, he finally
started jerking me off the exits and I thought it was time to get the top to
roll in. I finally started getting' it ran down after about five or six laps
and I thought we were gonna be in good shape and that damn yellow came out."
The next seven laps were perhaps among the most scintillating in O'Reilly
Chili Bowl Midget Nationals history. With McCreadie working the low line
masterfully, Drake took to the cushion and the pair raced wheel-to-wheel for
several rounds after McCreadie raced past Kruseman on the 33rd lap. And
seemingly chained to their rear nerf bars were the likes of Kruseman and
Swindell along with USAC Midget champion Josh Wise, who threw his hat into
the mix after starting 21st.
The top five battled in scorching fashion, with McCreadie finally
establishing the slightest of advantages on the 35th lap. Hot on his heels
was Swindell, who was in second when the caution flew after 38 laps for a
turn two tangle involving Bud Kaeding and Garrett Hansen.
When the race's final caution flew three laps later for Kasey Kahne and
Johnny Rodriguez, who got together in turn three, Swindell was forced to the
work area with a flat left rear tire resulting from a dislodged bleeder
valve after banging wheels with Kruseman in the spirited duel for position.
Set for a nine-lap charge to the checkered flag, McCreadie never faltered,
running the bottom portion of the track to perfection to amass a ten
car-length advantage by the time the checkered flag flew to a resounding
ovation from the packed house.
"You look at the two guys that are sitting beside me on each side (Drake and
Kruseman) and the people that are here, this is probably the most talent
you'll ever see in one spot and if anybody doesn't think that there's
something wrong with the way they think," McCreadie explained when asked why
he wanted to race in the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. "Why wouldn't you want
to come and take a chance at it?"
"I was a lot more nervous this year because that car was capable of winning
before I got in it, it's a great handling car with a real stout motor. It
was more whether I could get up to the speed of the car."
Drake settled for second aboard the Keith Kunz Motorsports Fontana-powered
Advanced Racing/Kwik Change Bullet-chassis, with Kruseman taking the show
position in Andy Bondio's Barnes-powered Axtell Cams/Kenny's Components No.
47.
Drake explained that, "The last time I was here and ran second (2003) I
thought it was the end of the world, this time it's not quite as hard to
swallow. This time I basically just got outdrove and last time I threw it
away, it's a whole different situation and we're happy with second this
time."
"We just got beat by somebody that was more patient than us, we got beat by
someone that was switched on tonight," Kruseman later commented. "I think if
you're disappointed you're hypocritical because there's 259 other people out
there that would give anything to sit at this table and we're very fortunate
to do that. Can I be disappointed? Absolutely. But I don't think I'm gonna
leave here with that frown, it's not a points race, it's something we come
out and we do in the wintertime. The reason we come here is because the best
of the best are here."
Racing from 15th, Brad Kuhn took fourth from Wise on the 45th circuit and
held the spot to the line. Wise rounded out the top five after passing 16
cars, with Stanbrough recovering from his early bobble to snare sixth.
Defending race winner Tracy Hines turned in the feature's top passing
performance by racing from 24th to seventh, with 17th-starter Shane Cottle,
Jerry Coons, Jr., and 23rd-starter Dave Darland completing the top ten.
Chili Bowl rookie contender Wayne Johnson turned in a rousing charge through
the alphabet soup of Features by advancing all the way from the day's second
F Main all the way to the Championship A Feature, passing 53 cars along the
way. Johnson's luck ran out in the A Main however, as he was the second car
to exit and was credited with 23rd.
After winning the night's second B Main, Tulsa's Mike Goodman was the race's
top finishing rookie by taking the checkered flag in 17th. Goodman and
Johnson were the only two of more than 70 rookie contenders to make the
24-car championship feature.
Bryan Gard, Joe Walker and Tyler Brown were the day's early stars, each
advancing through a number of Feature events. Gard and Walker both competed
in six features, climbing from K Main competition until running out of steam
in the F Features, where Johnson picked up the Alphabet charge.
Brown came from the back row of the first J Feature to the G Feature before
his run ended as the capacity crowd cheered on his daring moves.
Walker kicked off the day by topping the First K Main, with Jesse Hockett
winning the second K Main.
Jay Mounce and Terry Tarditi won the Twin
J Mains, with Jonathan Henry and Stevie Sussex III victorious in I Main
action.
Ron Kuhn scored the win in the first H Main, with Late Model ace Rick Eckert
scoring a narrow victory in a torrid second H Main.
California lady racer Audra Sasselli
schooled the boys in the First G Main to become just the second female and
the first in 17 years to win a Saturday feature in O'Reilly Chili Bowl
Midget Nationals history, with Bev Griffis the first by winning a C Main in
1989. Sasselli then raced to a transfer position in the First F Feature as
well before wrapping up the day with a seventh place run in her E Main.
After a second place run and three third place finishes in K, J, I and H
action, Gard rode the rim to victory in the second G Main before an F Main
tangle effectively ended his day after passing 51 cars.
Levi Jones and Damion Gardner split F Main honors, with Gardner doubling up
by topping the Second E Main as well after John Wolfe made a late move to
win the First E Main.
Daniel Adler aced the First D Main, while 13-year-old Trey Robb of
Newcastle, OK, became the youngest Saturday feature winner in Chili Bowl
history by topping Scott Hatton and Wayne Johnson in the Second D Main.
Josh Wise topped J.J. Yeley in the First C Main, with Donnie Lehmann leading
youngster Cole Whitt to the line in the Second C Main.
Allgaier posted a convincing win in the First B Main, with Goodman taking
the Second B Main.
After his wild Friday night flip, NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart
scratched from Saturday's action. Stewart was on hand to sign autographs for
much of the day.
After his wild Friday night flip, NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart
scratched from Saturday's action. Stewart was on hand to sign autographs for
much of the day.
A record total of 260 drivers competed in the 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili
Bowl Midget Nationals.
New York's Tim McCreadie captured Saturday night's 50-lap 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals finale at Tulsa Expo Raceway. (Photo by Lonnie Wheatley)
20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Saturday Feature
Results:
K Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to corresponding J Main)
K Main 1: 1. 31X Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 2. 23D Mike Dibart,
Sprinfield, IL; 3. 5K Kevin Burgess, Stott?s City, MO; 4. 17Z Ryan Ratliff,
Tulsa, OK; 5. 0 Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; 6. 9M Matt Michaels, Choctaw,
OK; 7. 50X Tom Everhart, El Cajon, CA DNS ? 5L Leighton Crouch, Lubbock, TX;
33M Marc Arnold, Peru, IN; 38TX Matt DeWitt, Houston, TX
K Main 2: 1. 6J Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 2. 57 Brian Gard, Kelseyville,
CA; 3. 10W Chris D'Arcy, San Jose, CA; 4. 67AZ Lonnie Oliver, Surprise, AZ;
5. 29L Leroy Holler, Springfield, MO; 6. 7J Brad Graham, Springfield, MO; 7.
11X Steve Newman, Lakewood, CO; 8. 4AZ Chris Edwards, Buckeye, AZ DNS ? 2A
Charles Davis, Jr., Buckeye, AZ; 12H Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA. Note:
29L Leroy Holler was penalized two positions for passing prior to the
restart cone.
J Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to corresponding I Main)
J Main 1: 1. 12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL; 2. 34 Tyler Brown, Norco, CA; 3. 0X
Billy Alley, Lincoln, NE; 4. 31X Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 5. 79 Frank
Pedregon, Fontana, CA; 6. 34J Jon LeJeune, Decorah, IA; 7. 49JR Ron Bach,
Ventura, CA; 8. 32K Kirk Kubik, Long Beach, CA; 9. 23D Mike Dibart,
Springfield, IL; 10. F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 11. 51L Harold Leep Jr.,
Oklahoma City, OK; 12. 5K Kevin Burgess, Stott?s City, MO. DNS ? 8M Murray
Erickson, Odessa, TX; 5W Tiffany Wyzard, Williamsville, IL; 52R Ricky
Stenhouse, Olive Branch, MS; 17Z Ryan Ratliff, Tulsa, OK
J Main 2: 1. 10T Terry Tarditi, Lodi, CA; 2. 48 Mike Welker, Peoria, AZ; 3.
57 Brian Gard, Kelseyville, CA; 4. 4L Doug Lippincott, Minden, NV; 5. 6M
Robert Marfia, Rio Rancho, NM; 6. 5B Bob Brewer, Salt Lake City, UT; 7. 10W
Chris D?Arcy, San Jose, CA; 8. 9H Russ Harper, Watkins, CO; 9. 69M Mike
Marfia, Rio Rancho, NM: 10. 72 Kathy Kurtz, Robesonia, PA; 11. 17W Mike
Woodruff, Satanta, KS; 12. 2S Dave Shirk, Mohnton, PA; 13. 67AZ Lonnie
Oliver, Surprise, AZ. DNS ? 11D Doug DeWitt, Sunnyvale, CA; 02R Brian
Ramstack, West Bend, WI; 6J Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO
I Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to corresponding H Main)
I Main 1: 1. 11J Jonathan Henry, Glendale, AZ; 2. 73F Foster Landon,
Collinsville, OK; 3. 31X Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 4. Tyler Brown,
Norco, CA; 5. 94 Alex Coonan, Ransom, IL; 6. 27C Sparky Howard, Santa Rosa,
CA; 7. 87 Harley Slotten, Menasha, WI; 8. 05X Ashley Swanson, Wildomar, CA;
9. 3A Bill Allen, Independence, MO; 10. 37V Damon Lusk, Kennewick, WA; 11.
74 Ernie Bartley III, El Cajon, CA; 12. 0X Billy Alley, Lincoln, NE; 13. 11H
Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 14. 12J Jay Mounce, Downs, IL. DNS ; 14AZ Danny
Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 3Z Joe Zierrolf, Houma, LA
I Main 2: 1 45S Stevie Sussex III, Tempe, AZ; 2. 18 Donnie Trent, Honey
Brook, PA; 3. 57 Brian Gard, Kelseyville, CA; 4. 45X Shain Matthews,
Marysville, CA; 5. 10T Terry Tarditi, Lodi, CA; 6. 51N Mike Nigh,
Brownsburg, IN; 7. 17C Chris Windom, Canton, IL: 8. 48 Mike Welker, Peoria,
az; 9. 2M Mark Bush, Cumming, GA; 10. 21J Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning, MI;
11. 4L Doug Lippincott, Minden, NV; 12. 27A LeRoy VanConett, Galt, CA; 13.
7X Brian Mater, Pueblo, CO; 14. 10B Brandon Knupp, Sidney, OH. DNS ? 24E
Bill Eslick, Burleson, TX; 51 Mike Hess, Petersburg, IL
H Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to corresponding G Main)
H Main 1: 1. 10V Ron Kuhn, Lee's Summit, MO; 2. 34 Tyler Brown, Norco, CA;
3. 31B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 4. 31X Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 5. 81
Shane Carson, Yukon, OK; 6. 73F Foster Landon, Collinsville, OK; 7. 9B Ryan
Beechler, Anna, TX; 8. 17M Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX; 9. 41 Trey Hausmann,
Grand Forks, ND; 10. 19B Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA; 11. 45H Matt Sargent,
San Jose, CA; 12. 95X Jay Jordan, Lincoln, NE; 13. 10D Dan Douville,
Bridgewater, NH; 14. 49J Jimmy Light, Indianapolis, IN; 15. 17 Kenny Brown,
Millstadt, IL; 16. 11J Jonathan Henry, Glendale, AZ
H Main 2: 1. 1X Rick Eckert, York, PA; 2. 55 Tony Everhart, El Cajon, CA; 3.
57 Brian Gard, Kelseyville, CA; 4. 31T Randy Timms, Oklahoma City, OK; 5. 16
Tom Bigelow, Winchester, IN; 6. 4B Ronnie Burke, Jr., Antioch, IL; 7. 18
Donnie Trent, Honey Brook, PA; 8. 20C Carey Becker, Reading, PA; 9. 21X
Steve Stroud, St. Charles, MO; 10. 45S Stevie Sussex III, Tempe, AZ; 11. 4P
Will Pierce, Lee's Summit, MO; 12. 45X Shain Matthews, Marysville, CA; 13.
19 Chris Wagner, Colorado Springs, CO; 14. 11S Eric Schrock, Lake Ozark, MO;
15. 15. 13 Chris Shoulders, Dallas, TX; 16. 11AZ C.J. Sarna, Sedona, AZ
G Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to corresponding F Main)
G Main 1: 1. 17X Audra Sasselli, Fresno, CA; 2. 73I Aaron Pierce, Muncie,
IN; 3. 31X Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 4. 1P Conner Pullen, Amarillo, TX;
5. 27X Bobby Boone, Bakersfield, CA; 6. 7T Todd McVay, Lee's Summit, MO; 7.
10V Ron Kuhn, Lee?s Summit, MO; 8. 19X Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE; 9.
86X Daron Clayton, Sikeston, MO: 10. 6R Bill Rose, Plainfield, IN; 11. 34
Tyler Brown, Norco, CA; 12. 33A Steve Arnold, Seymour, IN; 13. 31B Danny
Burke, Houston, TX; 14. 24L Roy Larkin, Tulsa, OK. DNS ? 46 Russ Gamester,
Peru, IN; O1 Greg Lueckert, Kansas City, MO
G Main 2: 1. Brian Gard, Kelseyville, CA; 2. 16B Patrick Bruns, Champaign,
IL; 3. 11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 4. 15P Alex Pruett, Carefree, AZ; 5. 43
Buddy Luebke, Stoughton, WI; 6. 26 Glenn Carson, Newark, CA; 7. 22X Dex
Eaton, Owasso, OK; 8. 1X Rick Eckert, York, PA; 9. 27B Todd Kimmel, Avon,
IN; 10. 4W Edwin Wilson, Tuttle, OK; 11. 50J Jeff Griffin, St. Helena, CA;
12. 55 Tony Everhart, El Cajon, CA; 13. 10A Thomas Briggs, Anna, OH: 14. 31T
Randy Timms, Oklahoma City, OK; 15. 19N Nick O?Neal, Wagoner, OK; 16. 93S
Evan Sewell, Jenks, OK
F Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to corresponding E Main)
F Main 1: 1. 38 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 2. 49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown,
NJ; 3. 69 A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 4. 17X Audra Sasselli, Fresno, CA; 5. 93
Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 6. 17T Rob Russell, Fremont, CA; 7. 31X Joe
Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 8. 37 Matt Mitchell, Yorba Linda, CA; 9. 73I
Aaron Pierce, Muncie, IN; 10. 3G Rickie Gaunt, Torrance, CA; 11. 5A Shon
Deskins, Waddell, AZ; 12. 43X Bryan Stanfill, Bakersfield, CA; 13. 2B Brady
Short, Bedford, IN; 14. 1P Conner Pullen, Amarillo, TX; 15. 25 Nick Knepper,
Belleville, IL. DNS ? 55X Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK
F Main 2: 1. 6 Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 2. 37B Zac Osborn, Muncie, IN;
3. F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 4. 3W Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie,
WI; 5. 5S Darren Stewart, Bixby, OK; 6. 19S Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow,
OK; 7. 35X Korey Weyant, Springfield, IL; 8. 11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 9.
16B Patrick Bruns, Champaign, IL: 10. 71P Cruz Pedregon, Santa Rosa Valley,
CA; 11. 45 Aaron Kirk, Magnolia, TX; 12. 57 Bryan Gard, Kelseyville, CA; 13.
15P Alex Pruett, Carefree, AZ. DNS ? 20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 21M Andy
Martin, Gordonsville, CA; 73S Seth Wilson, San Clemente, CA
E Mains (10 Laps - Top 4 in each transfer to corresponding D Main)
E Main 1: 3M John Wolfe, Winchester, IN; 2. 00X Thomas Meseraull, San Jose,
CA; 3. 75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 4. 73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 5.
86C Davey Camfield, Decatur, IL: 6. 38 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 7. 17X Audra
Sasselli, Fresno, CA; 8. 22J Jasiel Randolph, Tulsa, OK; 9. 69 A.J. Fike,
Galesburg, IL; 10. 49 Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ; 11. 83 Kurt Blackaby,
Bentonville, AR; 12. 71BG Ben Leslie, Litchfiled Park, AZ; 13. 54 Ralph
Cortez, Sacramento, CA; 14. 4M Scott Milan, Ft. Collins, CO; 15. 21S Bob
Shreffler, Plainfield, IL; 16. 30 Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ
E Main 2: 1. 6 Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 2. D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg,
IL: 3. 99 Kyle Rayburn, Pueblo West, CO; 4. F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City,
OK; 5. 8F Aaron Fiscus, Sun Priarie, WI; 6. 6D Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN: 7.
37B Zac Osborn, Muncie, IN; 8. 5Z Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 9. 3W Brandon
Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 10. 3 Tracy Miller, Reading, PA; 11. 61 Bugs
Norbury, Prescott Valley, AZ; 12. 98 Curtis Bailey, Bartlesville, OK: 13. 14
Tony Rossi, Westminster, CO; 14. 85J Matt Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 15.
17K Kenny Adams, Normal, IL; 16. 7M Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK
D Mains (15 Laps - Top 3 in each transfer to corresponding C Main)
D Main 1: 1. 50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 2. 5D Gary Taylor,
Wheatley, CO; 3. 12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 4. 2L Luke Icke, Littleton,
CO; 5. 73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 6. 22G Ron Gregory, Noblesville, IN; 7. 7
Critter Malone, Speedway, IN: 8. 25X Jerome Rodela, El Monte, CA; 9. 96 Cody
Brewer, Choctaw, OK; 10. 44P Ryan Pace, Arroyo Grande, CA; 11. 71B Chad
Branson, Sherman, IL; 12. 75 David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 13. 63N Rex
Norris III, Knightstown, IN; 14. 7S Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 15.
00X Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 16. 3M John Wolfe, Winchester, IN
D Main 2: 1. 12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 2. 15 Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 3.
F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 4. 61A Toby Brown, Carthage, MO; 5. 6
Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 6. 4KO Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 7. 51H
Joe Roe, Pleasant Prairie, WI; 8. 51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 9. 99 Kyle
Rayburn, Pueblo West, CO; 10. XX Darrin Bolton, Eldorado Hills, CA; 11. D33
Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 12. 63 Paul Perkins, Bristol, WI; 13. 75H Bart
Hartman, Zanesville, OH; 14. 20AZ John Sarna, Sedona, AZ; 15. 5H Doug
Hunting, Sacramento, CA; 16. 17S Greg Schaefer, Ft. Lupton, CO
C Mains (15 Laps - Top 5 in each transfer to corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. 20W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 2. 47X J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ;
3. 1W Paul White, Temple, TX; 4. 51D Chad Deshon, Littleton, CA; 5. 2 Danny
Stratton, Riverside, CA; 6. 29 Scott Sawyer, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. 5X Craig
Carey, Mattoon, IL; 8. 1C Chad McDaniel, Concordia, KS; 9. 47D Stan Yockey,
Fresno, CA; 10. 50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 11. 85 Shane
Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 12. 95J Rik Forbes, Omaha, NE; 13. 7B Joe
Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 14. 71H Keith Rauch, Thornton, CO; 15. 5D Gary
Taylor, Wheatley, CO; 16. 12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 17. 71C Chad
Kemenah, Findlay, OH; 18. 57K Randy Koch, Oregon, WI
C Main 2: 1. 31 Donnie Lehmann, Springfield, IL; 2. 29W Cole Whitt, Alpine,
CA; 3. 67K Paul McMahan, Nashville, TN; 4. 8 Wally Pankratz, Orange, CA; 5.
F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK; 6. 36 Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 7.
32 Aaron Fike, Galesburg, IL: 8. 68 Jonathan Hendrick, Fortville, IN; 9. 51S
Jeremy Sherman, Phoenix, AZ; 10. 12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 11. 77E Dave
Ely, West Lawn, PA; 12. 11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 13. 8S
Jimmy Sills, Elverta, CA; 14. 15 Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 15. 31H Justin
Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD; 16. 91 Ryan Durst, Lincoln, NE; 17. 35 Mat
Neely, Robinson, IL; 18. 4 Michele Miller, Reading, PA
B Mains (20 Laps - Top 6 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1 (Top 6 make up final inside 6 rows of A Main): 1. 86 Justin
Allgaier, Springfield, IL; 2. 74K Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 3. 44C Shane Cottle,
Kokomo, IN; 4. 7R Johnny Rodriguez, Galt, CA; 5. 20W Josh Wise, Riverside,
CA; 6. 11W Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 7. 67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN;
8. 37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 9. 2 Danny Stratton, Riverside, CA; 10, 47X
J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 11. 85X Brent Beauchamp, Fairland, IN; 12. 99B
Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 13. 71 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 14. 52
Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 15. 11A Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 16. 1W
Paul White, Temple, TX; 17. 22 Ray Bull, Bloomsburg, PA; 18. 51D Chris
Deshon, Littleton, CO; 19. 88 Dan Boorse, Milwaukee, WI; 20. 39 Kevin
Swindell, Germantown, TN
B Main 2 (Top 6 make up final outside 6 row of A Main): 1. 11M Mike Goodman,
Tulsa, OK; 2. 44D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 3. 32L Jason Leffler, Long
Beach, CA; 4. 8K Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 5. F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma
City, OK; 6. 11 Tracy Hines, Greenfield, IN; 7. 27 Josh Richards, Stinnston,
WV; 8. 5C Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, MO; 9, 125 Teddy Beach,
Donnelsville, OH; 10. 15T Michael Trimble, San Jose, Ca; 11. 3C Chris Rahe,
Placentia, CA; 12. 05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 13, 67K Paul McMahan,
Nashville, TN; 14. 87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 15. 5 Davey Ray,
Davenport, IA; 16. 8 Wally Pankratz, Orange, CA; 17. 31 Donnie Lehmann,
Springfield, IL; 18. 29W Cole Whitt, Alpine, CA; 19. 35W Gary Wright, Hooks,
TX; 20. 21 Ryan Kaplan, Chico, CA
A Main (50 Laps)
1. 1A Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY; 2. 71K Jay Drake, Val Verde, CA; 3. 47
Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 4. 74K Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 5. 20W Josh Wise,
Riverside, CA; 6. 2X Jon Stanbrough, Jamestown, IN; 7. 11 Tracy Hines,
Greenfield, IN; 8. 44C Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 9. 23 Jerry Coons Jr.,
Tucson, AZ; 10. 11W Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 11. 17J P.J. Jones, Torrance,
CA; 12. 67S Steve Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 13. 9 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA;
14. 32L Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 15. 8K Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 16.
70 Garrett Hansen, Manhattan Beach, CA; 17. 11M Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 18.
1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 19. 7R Johnny Rodriguez, Galt, CA; 20. 5M
Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 21. 33D Danny Lasoski, Higgonsville, MO;
22. 44D Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 23. F5 Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK;
24. 86 Justin Allgaier, Springfield, IL
Saturday O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Feature Lineups
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA, Okla. (January 14, 2006) - With
three nights of qualifying action in the books for a record 260 competitors
at the 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at Tulsa Expo
Raceway, the popular question throughout the racing world is most assuredly:
Where is my favorite driver starting on Saturday?
Lineups for the famous alphabet soup of features consisting of 21 feature
events, including the front half of the 24-car Championship "A" Main event,
have been determined.
With an abundance of talent throughout the field, can anyone match the
heroic drive from an "F" Main all the way to third in the "A" Feature in the
fashion of J.J. Yeley in 2004? Action kicks off with Twin "K" Main hot laps
at 12:00 noon, with the Chili Bowl championship "A" Main event
scheduled to hit the track at approximately 10:00 p.m.
The top four finishers from each night of qualifying action drew for their
"A" Feature starting positions, with each night's winner's draw determining
the balance of the Twin "B", "C", "D", "E", "F", "G", "H", "I", "J" and "K"
Feature lineups.
Thursday night's Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores feature winner Jay
Drake, a 2001 Chili Bowl winner, drew the pole position with two-time Chili
Bowl champ and Friday's Warren CAT feature winner Cory Kruseman drawing the
outside front row position. Wednesday's Creek Nation Casino qualifier winner
Danny Lasoski drew the number three pill.
Saturday's complete feature lineups are as follows:
A Feature (50 Laps)
71k Jay Drake (Val Verde, CA) ; 47 Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA)
33d Danny Lasoski (Higginsville, MO) ; 2x Jon Stanbrough (Jamestown, IN)
17J P.J. Jones (Torrance, CA) ; 67s Steve Kinser (Bloomington, IN)
70 Garrett Hansen (Manhattan Beach, CA) ; 23 Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ)
9 Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA) ; 1a Tim McCreadie (Watertown, NY)
5m Steve Buckwalter (Royersford, PA) ; 1 Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
1st B Feature (20 Laps - 6 Transfer)
86 Justin Allgaier (Springfield, IL) ; 99b Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK)
67 Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN) ; 39 Kevin Swindell (Germantown, TN)
7R Johnny Rodriguez (Galt, CA) ; 44c Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN)
74k Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN) ; 22 Ray Bull (Kokomo, IN)
88 Dan Boorse (Milwaukee, WI) ; 71 Darren Hagen (Riverside, CA)
85x Brent Beauchamp (Fairland, IN) ; 11w Dave Darland (Lincoln, IN)
52 Mike Spencer (Temecula, CA) ; 11a Brett Anderson (Belleville, IL)
37x Casey Shuman (Tempe, AZ) - _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
2nd B Feature (20 Laps - 6 Transfer)
11m Mike Goodman (Tulsa, OK) ; 32L Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA)
44d Don Droud, Jr. (Lincoln, NE) ; 125 Teddy Beach (Donnelsville, OH)
11 Tracy Hines (Greenfield, IN) ; 8k Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA)
87c Rich Camfield (Decatur, IL) ; 15T Michael Trimble (San Jose, CA)
5 Davey Ray (Davenport, IA) ; 27 Josh Richards (Shinnston, WV)
3c Chris Rahe (Placentia, CA) ; 21 Ryan Kaplan (Chico, CA)
05 Brad Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO) ; 35w Gary Wright (Hooks, TX)
5c Joey Montgomery (Fredericktown, MO) - _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
1st C Feature (15 Laps - 5 Transfer)
71c Chad Kemenah (Findlay, OH) ; 1c Chad McDaniel (Concordia, KS)
71h Keith Rauch (Thornton, CO) ; 51d Chris Deshon (Littleton, CO)
1w Paul White (Temple, TX) ; 20w Josh Wise (Riverside, CA)
29 Scott Sawyer (Broken Arrow, OK) ; 2 Danny Stratton (Riverside, CA)
7b Joe Boyles (Greenwood, MO) ; 57k Randy Koch (Oregon, WI)
5x Craig Carey (Mattoon, IL) ; 85 Shane Hollingsworth (Indianapolis, IN)
47x J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ) ; 95J Rik Forbes (Omaha, NE)
47d Stan Yockey (Fresno, CA) - _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
2nd C Feature (15 Laps - 5 Transfer)
36 Alan Ballard (Bakersfield, CA) ; 68 Jonathan Hendrick (Fortville, IN)
31 Donnie Lehmann (Springfield, IL) ; 8 Wally Pankratz (Orange, CA)
51s Jeremy Sherman (Phoenix, AZ) ; 4 Michele Miller (Reading, PA)
67k Paul McMahan (Nashville, TN) ; 29w Cole Whitt (Alpine, CA)
32 Aaron Fike (Galesburg, IL) ; 8s Jimmy Sills (Elverta, CA)
77e Dave Ely (West Lawn, PA) ; 91 Ryan Durst (Lincoln, NE)
11z Travis Berryhill (American Canyon, CA) ; 35 Mat Neely (Robinson, IL)
31h Justin Henderson (Sioux Falls, SD) - _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
1st D Feature (15 Laps - 3 Transfer)
22g Ron Gregory (Noblesville, IN) ; 12c Rick England (Wichita, KS)
63n Rex Norris III (Knightstown, IN) ; 44p Ryan Pace (Arroyo Grande, CA)
50 Daniel Adler (East Carondolet, IL) ; 96 Cody Brewer (Choctaw, OK)
7 Critter Malone (Speedway, IN) ; 2L Luke Icke (Littleton, CO)
7s Shannon McQueen (Bakersfield, CA) ; 71b Chad Branson (Sherman, IL)
5d Gary Taylor (Wheatridge, CO) ; 25x Jerome Rodela (El Monte, CA)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
2nd D Feature (15 Laps - 3 Transfer)
20az John Sarna (Sedona, AZ) ; 12 Trey Robb (Newcastle, OK)
51J R.J. Johnson (Phoenix, AZ) ; 4ko Kevin Olson (Machesney Park, IL)
51h Joe Roe (Pleasant Prairie, WI) ; 17s Greg Schaefer (Ft. Lupton, CO)
XX Darrin Bolton (Eldorado Hills, CA) ; 15 Scott Hatton (Roscoe, IL)
61a Toby Brown (Carthage, MO) ; 75h Bart Hartman (Zanesville, OH)
5h Doug Hunting (Sacramento, CA) ; 63 Paul Perkins (Bristol, WI)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
1st E Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
75 David Gough (Machesney Park, IL) ; 54 Ralph Cortez (Sacramento, CA)
30 Chad Boat (Phoenix, AZ) ; 00x Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, CA)
86c Davey Camfield (Decatur, IL) ; 22J Jasiel Randolph (Tulsa, OK)
3m John Wolfe (Winchester, IN) ; 73 Josh Ford (Oxnard, CA)
4m Scott Milan (Ft. Collins, CO) ; 83 Kurt Blackaby (Bentonville, AR)
21s Bob Shreffler (Plainfield, IL) ; 71bg Mike Leslie (Litchfield Park, AZ)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
2nd E Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
17k Kenny Adams (Normal, IL) ; d33 Jeff Davis (Pittsburg, IL)
99 Kyle Rayburn (Pueblo West, CA) ; 8F Aaron Fiscus (Sun Prairie, WI)
3 Tracy Miller (Reading, PA) ; 85J Matt Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK)
7m Michelle Decker (Guthrie, OK) ; 98 Curtis Bailey (Bartlesville, OK)
61 Bugs Norbury (Prescott Valley, AZ) ; 5z Zach Daum (Pocahontas, IL)
14 Tony Rossi (Westminster, CO) ; 6d Tony Elliott (Kokomo, IN)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
1st F Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
38 Levi Jones (Olney, IL) ; 25 Nick Knepper (Belleville, IL)
49 Billy Pauch, Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ) ; 69 A.J. Fike (Galesburg, IL)
93 Dustin Morgan (Collinsville, OK) ; 43x Bryan Stanfill (Bakersfield, CA)
37 Matt Mitchell (Yorba Linda, CA) ; 17T Rob Russell (Fremont, CA)
3g Rickie Gaunt (Torrance, CA) ; 5a Shon Deskins (Waddell, AZ)
2b Brady Short (Bedford, IN) ; 55x Matt Sherrell (Tulsa, OK)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
2nd F Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
45 Aaron Kirk (Magnolia, TX) ; 21m Andy Martin (Gordonville, PA)
37b Zac Osborn (Muncie, IN) ; 3w Brandon Waelti (Sun Prairie, WI)
6 Damion Gardner (Concord, CA) ; F5 Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK)
19s Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK) ; 73s Seth Wilson (San Clemente, CA)
35x Korey Weyant (Springfield, IL) ; 5s Darren Stewart (Bixby, OK)
20 Tony Stewart (Columbus, IN) ; 71p Cruz Pedregon (Santa Rosa Valley, CA)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
1st G Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
24L Roy Larkin (Tulsa, OK) ; 7T Todd McVay (Lee?s Summit, MO)
73i Aaron Pierce (Muncie, IN) ; 17x Audra Sasselli (Fresno, CA)
33a Stephen Arnold (Seymour, IN) ; 19x Tadd Holliman (Beaver Lake, NE)
46 Russ Gamester (Peru, IN) ; 6r Bill Rose (Plainfield, IN)
86x Daron Clayton (Sikeston, MO) ; 27x Bobby Boone (Bakersfield, CA)
1p Conner Pullen (Amarillo, TX) ; 01 Greg Lueckert (Kansas City, MO)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
2nd G Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
43 Buddy Luebke (Stoughton, WI) ; 16b Patrick Bruns (Champaign, IL)
15p Alex Pruett (Carefree, AZ) ; 11R Ryan Cole (Porter, OK)
4w Edwin Wilson (Tuttle, OK) ; 22x Dex Eaton (Owasso, OK)
50J Jeff Griffin (St. Helena, CA) ; 10a Thomas Briggs (Anna, OH)
27b Todd Kimmel (Avon, IN) ; 93s Evan Sewell (Jenks, OK)
26 Glenn Carson (Newark, CA) ; 19n Nick O?Neal (Wagoner, OK)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
1st H Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
31b Danny Burke (Houston, TX) ; 95x Jay Jordan (Lincoln, NE)
10v Ron Kuhn (Lee?s Summit, MO) ; 19b Cameron Beard (Atwater, CA)
45h Matt Sargent (San Jose, CA) ; 17 Kenny Brown (Millstadt, IL)
10d Dan Douville (Bridgewater, NH) ; 41 Trey Hausmann (Grand Forks, ND)
9b Ryan Beechler (Anna, TX) ; 17m Doug McCune (Ft. Worth, TX)
81 Shane Carson (Yukon, OK) ; 49J Jimmy Light (Indianapolis, IN)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
2nd H Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
21x Steve Stroud (St. Charles, MO) ; 31T Randy Timms (Oklahoma City, OK)
55 Tony Everhart (El Cajon, CA) ; 16 Tom Bigelow (Winchester, IN)
4b Ronnie Burke, Jr. (Antioch, IL) ; 11az C.J. Sarna (Sedona, AZ)
1x Rick Eckert (York, PA) ; 11s Eric Schrock (Lake Ozark, MO)
13 Chris Shoulders (Dallas, TX) ; 19 Chris Wagner (Colorado Springs, CO)
4p Will Pierce (Lee?s Summit, MO) ; 20c Carey Becker (Reading, PA)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
1st I Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
11J Jonathan Henry (Glendale, AZ) ; 37v Damon Lusk (Kennewick, WA)
74 Ernie Bartley III (El Cajon, CA) ; 73F Foster Landon (Collinsville, OK)
94 Alex Coonan (Ransom, IL) ; 27c Sparky Howard (Santa Rosa, CA)
11h Garrett Hood (Concordia, KS) ; 3a Bill Allen (Independence, MO)
87 Harley Slotten (Menasha, WI) ; 14az Danny Sheridan (Santa Maria, CA)
05x Ashley Swanson (Wildomar, CA) ; 3z Joe Zierolf (Houma, LA)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
2nd I Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
18 Donnie Trent (Honey Brook, PA) ; 45s Stevie Sussex III (Tempe, AZ)
24e Bill Eslick (Burleson, TX) ; 17c Chris Windom (Canton, IL)
51n Mike Nigh (Brownsburg, IN) ; 51 Mike Hess (Petersburg, IL)
21J Jeep Van Wormer (Pinconning, MI) ; 27a LeRoy VanConett (Galt, CA)
7x Brian Mater (Pueblo, CO) ; 10b Brandon Knupp (Sidney, OH)
45x Shain Matthews (Marysville, CA) ; 2m Mark Bush (Cumming, GA)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
1st J Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
8m Murray Erickson (Odessa, TX) ; 49JR Ron Bach (Ventura, CA)
32K Kirk Kubik (Long Beach, CA) ; F1 French Grimes (Madison, VA)
79 Frank Pedregon (Fontana, CA) ; 12J Jay Mounce (Downs, IL)
5w Tiffany Wyzard (Williamsville, IL) ; 51L Harold Leep, Jr. (Oklahoma City,
OK)
34J Jon LeJeune (Decorah, IA) ; 52R Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Olive Branch, MS)
0x Billy Alley (Lincoln, NE) ; 34 Tyler Brown (Norco, CA)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
2nd J Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
2s Dave Shirk (Mohnton, PA) ; 10T Terry Tarditi (Lodi, CA)
48 Mike Welker (Peoria, AZ) ; 4L Doug Lippincott (Minden, NV)
72 Kathy Kurtz (Robesonia, PA) ; 11d Doug DeWitt (Sunnyvale, CA)
02R Brian Ramstack (West Bend, WI) ; 9h Russ Harper (Watkins, CO)
69m Mike Marfia (Rio Rancho, NM) ; 17w Mike Woodruff (Satanta, KS)
5b Bob Brewer (Salt Lake City, UT) ; 6m Robert Marfia (Rio Rancho, NM)
_______________________ _____________________
_______________________ _____________________
1st K Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
23d Mike Dibart (Springfield, IL) ; 9m Matt Michaels (Choctaw, OK)
5L Leighton Crouch (Lubbock, TX) ; 33m Marc Arnold (Peru, IN)
0 Johnny Murdock (Kaufman, TX) ; 50x Tom Everhart (El Cajon, CA)
17z Ryan Ratliff (Tulsa, OK) ; 31x Joe Walker (Harrisonville, MO)
38TX Matt DeWitt (Houston, TX) ; 5k Kevin Burgess (Stott?s City, MO)
2nd K Feature (10 Laps - 4 Transfer)
7J Brad Graham (Springfield, MO) ; 67az Lonnie Oliver (Surprise, AZ)
11x Steve Newman (Lakewood, CO) ; 57 Bryan Gard (Kelseyville, CA)
2a Charles Davis, Jr. (Buckeye, AZ) ; 29L Leroy Holler (Independence, MO)
12h Rick Hendrix (Canoga Park, CA) ; 4az Chris Edwards (Buckeye, AZ)
10w Chris D'Arcy (San Jose, CA) ; 6J Jesse Hockett (Warsaw, MO)
The Kruser Conquers in Red Hot Friday Chili Bowl Prelim
Cory Kruseman earned a hard-fought victory in Friday night's Warren CAT Qualifying feature at Tulsa Expo Raceway's 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. (Photo by Lonnie Wheatley)
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA, Okla. (January 13, 2006) - Two-time
Chili Bowl king Cory Kruseman outlasted P.J. Jones and a host of other
challengers in Friday night's hotly-contested 25-lap Warren CAT Qualifying
night feature at Tulsa Expo Raceway's 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals.
In a torrid feature event that included six official lead changes and
numerous others from one corner to another, Kruseman took command for keeps
on the 21st round and fought back the advances of Jones, Kasey Kahne, Sammy
Swindell and Mike Goodman before a crowd of 13,622.
The top-finishing quartet of Kruseman, Jones, Kahne and Swindell locked
themselves into Saturday night's prestigious finale along with Wednesday and
Thursday's top four finishers, which include Danny Lasoski, Jay Drake, Steve
Kinser, Jon Stanbrough, Jerry Coons, Jr., Garrett Hansen, Tim McCreadie and
Steve Buckwalter. The balance of the 24-car main event will be determined
through Saturday's Chili Bowl championship feature events, which get under
way at 1:00 p.m.
While Friday night's feature was loaded with talent, it didn't include
NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart. Stewart, who scratched from
Wednesday's card after a flip in hot laps, flipped wildly down the
backstretch in his Friday night qualifying race after a heat race win.
Shaken, the 2002 Chili Bowl winner was transported to a local hospital where
he was treated and released.
For the second night in a row, an Andy Bondio-owned entry raced its way to
the pole position of the feature event, with Kruseman earning the spot by
virtue of an eighth to first charge in his heat race and a sixth-to-second
run in his qualifier.
Friday night CAT Warren Qualifying Night feature winner at the 20th Annual
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Cory Kruseman (left) shakes hands with
runner-up P.J. Jones after a torrid battle at Tulsa Expo Raceway.
(Lonnie Wheatley photo)
Racing wheel-to-wheel through the first
two corners at the drop of the green, Kruseman wrestled the early lead away
from fellow front row starter Jones. But, setting what would become a trend
for the balance of the race, Jones raced underneath Kruseman down the
backstretch on the second lap to take command.
"He (Jones) was definitely strong, there were times that he was the better
car and it just kind of made a difference on who hit the right spot in the
corner," Kruseman later commented.
With Jones fending off Kruseman for the point, fifth-starter Mike Goodman
disposed of second row starters Paul McMahan and Dave Darland for third by
the fifth round. The first of several cautions flew moments later for Brad
Loyet's turn four spin, with Darland surrendering fourth position under the
caution period due to a flat left rear tire. Darland rejoined the chase
after a quick tire change. McMahan reported to the work area as well, also
rejoining the field at the tail.
After wading through a pair of cautions, the battle for the lead intensified
with Kruseman racing past Jones on the 11th circuit. Jones slid back
underneath Kruseman in turns one and two on the 12th lap, only to have the
move negated by a Travis Berryhill spin.
Not to be denied, Jones once again raced underneath Kruseman to snare the
point on the restart. That lead was short-lived however, as Kruseman
returned the favor the next time around, with Jimmy Sills' wild turn two
flip bringing out the caution with 13 laps in the books.
On the ensuing restart, third-running Goodman charged by both Kruseman and
Jones in turns one and two and led the way down the backstretch before
slipping over the cushion in three and four. Goodman's slip allowed Jones to
race into the lead on the 14th lap with Kruseman in second.
According to Kruseman, "The best thing for us was that the top was getting
better and the bottom was getting worse, at least in my eyes, and it kinda
was slowing P.J. up a little bit. But every time a yellow would come he'd
track back by me, so obviously it wasn't so true."
With Jones, Kruseman and Goodman engaged in a spirited battle for the lead,
14th-starter Kahne and 15th-starter Sammy Swindell had quietly climbed into
the top five by the time a caution flew after 17 laps for a tangle involving
Casey Shuman and Wally Pankratz.
The lead quintet of Jones, Kruseman, Kahne, Swindell and Goodman raced in
tight formation over the next handful of laps, swapping spots continuously
much to the approval of the capacity crowd.
Kruseman finally charged into the lead for good upon the completion of the
21st lap, and after a final caution that set up a two-lap dash to the
checkered flag, beat Jones to the stripe by two car-lengths. In search of a
third Golden Driller trophy, it marked Kruseman's fifth Chili Bowl
preliminary night triumph aboard Andy Bondio's Barnes-powered No. 47 Barnes
Oil Pumps/Kenny's Components entry.
Jones settled for runner-up honors aboard Mike Minarik's Chevy-powered No.
17J K&C Drywall TCR. Jones commented, "I'm rusty in the dirt racing, I've
run one dirt race a year the last ten years and that's been here. I'm
probably not as sharp and on my game as somebody like Cory or Sammy, but it
comes back to you fast."
On Jones' rear bumper, NASCAR star Kahne edged four-time Chili Bowl champion
Swindell for the show position.
Kahne commented that, "This is just a fun, exciting race to come to every
year and I've got to come until I win the thing."
According to Chili Bowl veteran Swindell, "I've been fortunate to finish a
lot of races here and run up front a lot of times. I think there was a point
here tonight where I was second, for maybe a second or two, then I kinda got
a bad bounce there a time or two. That's part of it, we were just trying to
get what we could get and we came a long ways from where ever I started."
Chili Bowl rookie contender Goodman rounded out the top five, with
19th-starter Bryan Clauson overcoming several miscues earlier in the night
by charging to sixth. Teddy Beach snared seventh in front of 18th-starter
Shane Cottle and Rich Camfield, with two-time Chili Bowl champion Dan Boorse
charging from 21st to tenth.
Jones, Pankratz, Alan Ballard, Kruseman, Swindell, Daniel Adler, Tony
Stewart, Goodman, Joe Boyles and Berryhill captured heat race victories for
Friday night?s 89-car field.
Davey Camfield, Matt Sherrell, Shuman and Damion Gardner posted Last Chance
Race wins, with Darland, Josh Wise, Goodman and Beach topping the Qualifying
races.
Loyet and Cottle split victory honors in the twin B Mains.
Sherrell's late move to win his Last Chance race aboard perhaps the oldest
vehicle among this year's record 260 competitors earned a standing ovation
from the appreciative crowd. Sherrell's Jack Hitt-owned mount is the same
car in which Danny Frye, Jr., captured a preliminary feature win in Second
Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals of 1988.
The top four finishers from Friday night's
Warren CAT Qualifying Night at the 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals pose with the Hooter's girls. The top four, from left to right,
include P.J. Jones (2nd), Cory Kruseman (1st), Kasey Kahne (3rd) and Sammy
Swindell (4th).
(Lonnie Wheatley photo)
Friday's Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Results from the 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals:
Heats (Top 40 in passing points to Four A Qualifiers; Balance to Four Last
Chance Races)
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 17J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 2. 5A Shon Deskins,
Waddell, AZ; 3. 12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 4. 98 Curtis Bailey,
Bartlesville, OK; 5. 24E Bill Eslick, Burleson, TX; 6. 9B Ryan Beechler,
Anna, TX; 7. 37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 8. 14AZ Danny Sheridan, Santa
Maria, CA; 9. 10V Ron Kuhn, Lee?s Summit, MO
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 8 Wally Pankratz, Orange, CA; 2. 20W Josh Wise,
Riverside, CA; 3. 73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 4. 15 Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL;
5. 73F Foster Landon, Collinsville, OK; 6. 14 Tony Rossi, Westminster, CO;
7. 86X Daron Clayton, Sikeston, MO; 8. 17X Audra Sasselli, Fresno, CA; 9.
11X Steve Newman, Lakewood, CO
Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. 36 Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 2. 11W Dave Darland,
Lincoln, IN; 3. 93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 4. 125 Teddy Beach,
Donnelsville, OH; 5. 11R Ryan Cole, Porter, OK; 6. 35 Mat Neely, Robinson,
IL; 7. 74 Ernie Bartley III; 8. F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 9. 69M Mike
Marfia, Rio Rancho, NM
Heat 4 (8 Laps): 1. 47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 2. 87C Rich Camfield,
Decatur, IL; 3. 67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 4. 5H Doug Hunting,
Sacramento, CA; 5. 21S Bob Shreffler, Plainfield, IL; 6. 55 Tony Everhart,
El Cajon, CA; 7. 86C Davey Camfield, Decatur, IL; 8. 17C Chris Windom,
Canton, IL; 9. 57 Brian Gard, Kelseyville, CA
Heat 5 (8 Laps): 1. 1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. 12 Trey Robb,
Newcastle, OK; 3. 2L Luke Icke, Littleton, CO; 4. 25 Nick Knepper,
Belleville, IL; 5. 10B Brandon Knupp, Sidney, OH: 6. 33M Marc Arnold, Peru,
IN; 7. 15P Alex Pruett, Carefree, AZ; 8. 16 Tom Bigelow, Winchester, IN; 9.
4AZ Chris Edwards, Buckeye, AZ
Heat 6 (8 Laps): 1. 50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 2. 67K Paul
McMahan, Nashville, TN; 3. 05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 4. 21M Andy
Martin, Gordonville, PA; 5. 55X Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 6. 6 Damion
Gardner, Concord, CA; 7. 12H Rick Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA; 8. 32K Kirk
Kubik, Long Beach, CA; 9. 31X Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO
Heat 7 (8 Laps): 1. 20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 2. 85 Shane
Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 3. 71H Keith Rauch, Thornton, CO; 4. 51H
Joe Roe, Pleasant Prairie, WI; 5. 44C Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 6. 17W Mike
Woodruff, Satanta, KS; 7. 34J Jon LeJeune, Decorah, IA; 8. 48 Mike Welker;
Peoria, AZ; 9. 19B Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA
Heat 8 (8 Laps): 1. 11M Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 2. 35X Korey Weyant,
Springfield, IL; 3. 9 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 4. D33 Jeff Davis,
Pittsburg, IL; 5. 88 Dan Boorse, Milwaukee, WI; 6. 5D Gary Taylor, Wheat
Ridge, CO; 7. 73I Aaron Pierce, Muncie, IN; 8. 5L Leighton Crouch, Lubbock,
TX; 9. 4L Doug Lippincott, Minden, NV
Heat 9 (8 Laps): 1. 7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 2. 27 Josh Richards,
Shinnston, WV; 3. 54 Ralph Cortez, Sacramento, CA; 4. 19 Chris Wagner,
Colorado Springs, CO; 5. 93S Evan Sewell, Jenks, OK; 6. 13 Chris Shoulders,
Dallas, TX; 7. 27X Bobby Boone, Bakersfield, CA; 8. 27B Todd Kimmel, Avon,
IN; 9. 6J Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO
Heat 10 (8 Laps): 1. 11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 2. 8S Jimmy
Sills, Elverta, CA; 3. 3 Tracy Miller, Reading, PA; 4. 17M Doug McCune, Fort
Worth, TX; 5. 7X Brian Mater, Pueblo, CO; 6. 87 Harley Slotten, Menasha, WI;
7. 52R Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 8. 17Z Ryan Ratliff, Tulsa, OK
Last Chance Races (Top 2 in each to back of respective A Qualifier)
Last Chance 1 (Top 2 to back of Qualifier No. 1 - 10 Laps): 1. 86C Davey
Camfield, Decatur, IL; 2. 14 Tony Rossi, Westminster, CO; 3. 73I Aaron
Pierce, Muncie, IN; 4. 93S Evan Sewell, Jenks, OK; 5. 10V Ron Kuhn, Lee?s
Summit, MO; 6. 19 Chris Wagner, Colorado Springs, CO; 7. 74 Ernie Bartley
III, El Cajon, CA; 8. 10B Brandon Knupp, Sidney, OH; 9. 32K Kirk Kubik, Long
Beach, CA; 10. 17W Mike Woodruff, Satanta, KS; 11. 5L Leighton Crouch,
Lubbock, TX; 12. 4AZ Chris Edwards, Buckeye, AZ; DNS ? Jesse Hockett,
Warsaw, MO
Last Chance 2 (Top 2 to back of Qualifier No. 2 - 10 Laps): 1. 55X Matt
Sherrell, Tulsa, OK; 2. 5D Gary Taylor, Wheatridge, CO; 3. 15P Alex Pruett,
Carefree, AZ; 4. 27X Bobby Boone, Bakersfield, CA; 5. 55 Tony Everhart, El
Cajon, CA; 6. 17M Doug McCune, Fort Worth, TX; 7. 24E Bill Eslick, Burleson,
TX; 8. 14AZ Danny Sheridan, Santa Maria, CA; 9. 48 Mike Welker, Peoria, AZ;
10. 52R Rickey Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 11. 31X Joe Walker,
Harrisonville, MO; 12. 11X Steve Newman, Lakewood, CO
Last Chance 3 (Top 2 to back of Qualifier No. 3 - 10 Laps): 1. 37X Casey
Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 2. 35 Mat Neely, Robinson, IL; 3. 17X Audra Sasselli,
Fresno, CA; 4. 27B Todd Kimmel, Avon, IN; 5. 19B Cameron Beard, Atwater, CA;
6. 13 Chris Shoulders, Dallas, TX; 7. 73F Foster Landon, Collinsville, OK;
8. 7X Brian Mater, Pueblo, CO; 9. F1 French Grimes, Madison, VA; 10. 69M
Mike Marfia, Rio Rancho, NM; 11. 33M Marc Arnold, Peru, IN. DNS ? 12H Rick
Hendrix, Canoga Park, CA
Last Chance 4 (Top 2 to back of Qualifier No. 4 - 10 Laps): 1. 6 Damion
Gardner, Concord, CA; 2. 88 Dan Boorse, Milwaukee, WI; 3. 11R Ryan Cole,
Porter, OK; 4. 86X Daron Clayton, Sikeston, MO; 5. 16 Tom Bigelow,
Winchester, IN; 6. 9B Ryan Beechler, Anna, TX; 7. 17C Chris Windom, Canton,
IL: 8. 87 Harley Slotten, Menasha, WI; 9. 4L Doug Lippincott, Minden, NV;
10. 34J Jon LeJeune, Decorah, IA; 11, 57 Brian Gard, Kelseyville, CA; 12.
17Z Ryan Ratliff, Tulsa, OK
A Qualifiers (Top 16 in combined passing points with the heats to A Main;
Balance to Twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1 (10 Laps): 1. 11W Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 2. 47 Cory
Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 3. 11Z Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 4. 71H
Keith Rauch, Thornton, CO; 5. 7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 6. 51H Joe Roe,
Pleasant Prairie, WI; 7. 25 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 8. 98 Curtis
Bailey, Bartlesville, OK; 9. 14 Tony Rossi, Westminster, CO; 10. 3 Tracy
Miller, Reading, PA; 11. 5A Shon Deskins, Waddell, AZ; 12. 86C Davey
Camfield, Decatur, IL. Note: 3 Tracy Miller was penalized a position for
hitting the restart cone.
A Qualifier 2 (10 Laps): 1. 20W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 2. 8S Jimmy Sills,
Elverta, CA; 3. 17J P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 4. 05 Brad Loyet, Sunset
Hills, MO; 5. 44C Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 6. 2L Luke Icke, Littleton, CO;
7. 5D Gary Taylor, Wheatridge, CO; 8. 73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 9. 36 Adam
Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 10. D33 Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 11. 21M Andy
Martin, Gordonville, PA; 12. 55X Matt Sherrell, Tulsa, OK
A Qualifier 3 (10 Laps): 1. 11M Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 2. 87C Rich
Camfield, Decatur, IL; 3. 85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 4. 9
Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 5. 37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 6. 12C Rick
England, Wichita, KS; 7. 50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL; 8. 35 Mat
Neely, Robinson, IL; 9. 12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK: 10. 5H Doug Hunting,
Sacramento, CA; 11. 93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK; 12. 15 Scott Hatton,
Roscoe, IL
A Qualifier 4 (10 Laps): 1. 125 Teddy Beach, Donnelsville, OH; 2. 67K Paul
McMahan, Nashville, TN; 3. 27 Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 4. 1 Sammy
Swindell, Germantown, TN; 5. 8 Wally Pankratz, Orange, CA; 6. 6 Damion
Gardner, Concord, CA; 7. 88 Dan Boorse, Milwaukee, WI; 8. 35X Korey Weyant,
Springfield, IL; 9. 54 Ralph Cortez, Sacramento, CA; 10. 21S Bob Shreffler,
Plainfield, IL; 11. 67 Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 12. 20 Tony Stewart,
Columbus, IN
B Mains (Top 4 Advance to Preliminary A Main)
B Main 1 (15 Laps): 1. 05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. 67 Bryan Clauson,
Noblesville, IN; 3. 88 Dan Boorse, Milwaukee, WI; 4. 35 Mat Neely, Robinson,
IL; 5. 12C Rick England, Wichita, KS; 6. 51H Joe Roe, Pleasant Prairie, WI;
7. 2L Luke Icke, Littleton, CO; 8. 5H Doug Hunting, Sacramento, CA; 9. 54
Ralph Cortez, Sacramento, CA; 10. 3 Tracy Miller, Reading, PA; 11. 73 Josh
Ford, Oxnard, CA; 12. 14 Tony Rossi, Westminster, CO; 13. 25 Nick Knepper,
Belleville, IL; 14. 6 Damion Gardner, Concord, CA. DNS ? 55X Matt Sherrell,
Tulsa, OK; 35X Korey Weyant, Springfield, IL
B Main 2 (15 Laps): 1. 44C Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 2. 37X Casey Shuman,
Tempe, AZ; 3. 36 Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 4. 8 Wally Pankratz, Orange,
CA; 5. 12 Trey Robb, Newcastle, OK; 6. 50 Daniel Adler, East Carondolet, IL;
7. 15 Scott Hatton, Roscoe, IL; 8. 5D Gary Taylor, Wheatridge, CO; 9. D33
Jeff Davis, Pittsburg, IL; 10. 86C Davey Camfield, Decatur, IL; 11. 98
Curtis Bailey, Bartlesville, OK; 12. 21S Bob Shreffler, Plainfield, IL; 13.
21M Andy Martin, Gordonville, PA; 14. 93 Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK.
DNS ? 20 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 5A Shon Deskins, Waddell, AZ
A Main (Top 4 to Saturday's 50-Lap Championship A Main)
A Main (30 Laps): 1. 47 Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 2. 17J P.J. Jones,
Torrance, CA; 3. 9 Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA; 4. 1 Sammy Swindell,
Germantown, TN; 5. 11M Mike Goodman, Tulsa, OK; 6. 67 Bryan Clauson,
Noblesville, IN; 7. 125 Teddy Beach, Donnelsville, OH; 8. 44C Shane Cottle,
Kokomo, IN; 9. 87C Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL: 10. 88 Dan Boorse, Milwaukee,
WI; 11. 27 Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV; 12. 11W Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN;
13. 05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 14. 37X Casey Shuman, Tempe, AZ; 15. 36
Alan Ballard, Bakersfield, CA; 16. 71 Keith Rauch, Thornton, CO; 17. 8 Wally
Pankratz, Orange, CA; 18. 20W Josh Wise, Riverside, CA; 19. 67K Paul
McMahan, Nashville, TN; 20. 7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 21. 8S Jimmy
Sills, Elverta, CA; 22. 85 Shane Hollingsworth, Indianapolis, IN; 23. 11Z
Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 24. 35 Mat Neely Robinson, IL
Everybody Love's the Drake in Thursday Chili Bowl Prelim
Jay Drake topped Thursday night's Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores Qualifying feature at the 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. (Lonnie Wheatley photo)
By Lonnie Wheatley,
TULSA, Okla. (January 12, 2006) - Former
O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals champion Jay Drake made his way back to
victory lane at the Tulsa Expo Raceway by scoring the win in Thursday
night's 25-lap Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores qualifying feature.
Drake took command at the outset after polesitter J.J. Yeley lost a bout
with the frontstretch retaining wall, then fought off a lap 18 bid from
Garrett Hansen en route to victory lane to conclude the second night of the
20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
Jon Stanbrough battled past Hansen in the latter stages to snare the
runner-up slot. Hansen settled for the show position, with Steve Buckwalter
fending off Justin Allgaier for the fourth and final transfer to Saturday's
championship main event.
"It was fun," Drake commented afterward. "We haven't made the show the last
two years and I wasn't even expecting him (car owner Keith Kunz) to invite
me back this year, but he always sticks with me and always welcomes me back
and tells me I have a car waiting anytime I want it and that's a good
feeling to have."
Set to contend for NASCAR Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year honors in 2006,
Yeley was the star of the show throughout qualifying action. The Arizona
native made a dramatic last-corner pass of Jason Leffler to top his heat
race, then secured the pole position for the 25-lap feature by outdueling
Leffler once again in classic style in qualifying race action, this after an
opening lap tangle that sent Yeley to the rear of the 12-car qualifier.
But, matching Yeley step-for-step, 2001 Chili Bowl champion Drake topped
both his heat race and qualifier to earn the outside front row starting
berth for the main event.
After the original feature start was waved off for a minor tangle, it was
third-starter Hansen blasting past both Yeley and Drake in the opening two
corners. Yeley's car drifted too high exiting turn four as he battled
wheel-to-wheel for third with Jon Stanbrough near the completion of the
first lap. Yeley's car caught the retaining wall and launched into the catch
fence at the start-finish line. Although uninjured, the unique Bondio No.
47x was done for the night.
On the restart, Drake beat Hansen to the cushion in the first corner to take
a lead he would never relinquish in the frantic non-stop 25-lap affair. But
until the final five rounds, there was little breathing room for Drake in
the Fontana-powered Keith Kunz Motorsports No. 67k Advanced Racing/Kwik
Change Bullet-chassis.
Hansen and Stanbrough shadowed Drake's every move, even after lapped traffic
came into play on the eighth round. Working adeptly through lapped traffic,
Drake finally became mired behind a pair of lapped machines on the 16th
circuit.
Hansen, the 20-year-old California upstart, dove underneath Drake entering
turn one on the 18th lap in a bold move to take the lead. The former USAC
Sprint Car champion was up to the challenge however, fending off the bid and
quickly disposing of the lapped cars in response.
Drake stretched his lead to a half straightaway over the final five rounds
to secure the victory and an assured top-three starting position for
Saturday night's prestigious 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget
Nationals finale.
Indiana's Stanbrough slid past Hansen for second on the 20th lap and kept
Hans Lein's Esslinger-powered No. 2x Midstate Acres Spike in the runner-up
slot the rest of the way.
"I just got hooked up with Hans probably two or three weeks ago and didn't
know if I was gonna get to run for him or not and I'm really pleased that I
got to run with him," Stanbrough stated at the post-race press conference.
"I want to thank these two guys (Hansen and Buckwalter), I don't even know 'em
and they ran real clean and I'm real proud to run with 'em and really
excited to be in for Saturday night."
Hansen's breakout performance aboard the Fontana-powered Hansen Racing
Products No. 70 Stealth netted third place and a spot in Saturday's feature.
"This is by far the best we've ever done, I'm pretty impressed with the way
the car was, anything I wanted to do I could pretty much do," Hansen
explained. "To run up front with these guys was pretty cool."
ARDC Midget contender Steve Buckwalter of Royersford, PA, fought off young
Illinois shoe Justin Allgaier to take the fourth spot to Saturday's main
event, the second time in the last three years that Buckwalter has locked
into the finale through his preliminary feature.
"This is all I really wanted, just to come out here and run with these guys
is great, I basically just run the whole ARDC deal and try to scrape enough
money together to get out there and run with everybody," Buckwalter
explained.
Allgaier rounded out the top five, while Leffler charged from 13th to sixth.
Kevin Swindell turned in the top Chili Bowl rookie performance of the
opening two nights by claiming seventh, besting Brent Beauchamp's eleventh
place showing on Wednesday night.
Defending Chili Bowl champion Tracy Hines was eighth, with 2005 National
Midget Driver of the Year Brad Kuhn and 16th-starter Michael Trimble
completing the top ten.
Heat race winners for Thursday night?s 85-car field included Kenny Brown,
Critter Malone, Swindell, Chris Rahe, Stanbrough, Yeley, Darren Hagen, Chad
Kemenah, Drake and Allgaier.
Thomas Meseraull, John Wolfe, Gary Wright and John Sarna each scored Last
Chance Race wins, with Allgaier, Yeley, Buckwalter and Drake acing the
Qualifying Races.
Wright outlasted Kemenah to win the first 15-lap B Main, with youngster Cole
Whitt topping the second B Main.
Jay Jordan and Eric Schrock flipped during heat race action, with Russ
Harper getting upside down during Last Chance competition. Malone and Matt
Mitchell were involved in a wild double-flip during Qualifying Race action,
with Mitchell later flipping into the turn two fencing during the B Mains.
Other B Main flips included John Wolfe, Jonathan Beason and Kenny Brown.
There were no injuries.
Thursday's Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores Qualifying Night Results
from the 20th Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals:
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 17K Kenny Adams, Normal, IL; 2. 57K Randy Koch, Oregon,
WI; 3. 7M Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 4. 71B Chad Branson, Sherman, IL; 5.
19S Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. 23D Mike Dibart, Springfield, IL.
DNS ? 5H Doug Hunting, Sacramento, CA; 86 Davey Camfield, Decatur, IL; 93
Dustin Morgan, Collinsville, OK
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 7 Critter Malone, Speedway, IN; 2. 5M Steve Buckwalter,
Royersford, PA; 3. 15T Michael Trimble, San Jose, CA; 4. 75H Bart Hartman,
Zanesville, OH; 5. XX Darrin Bolton, El Dorado Hills, CA; 6. 21J Jeep Van
Wormer, Pinconning, MI; 7. 7T Todd McVay, Lee?s Summit, MO; 8. 9M Matt
Michaels, Choctaw, OK. DNS ? 17Z Ryan Ratliff, Tulsa, OK
Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. 39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. 51S Jeremy
Sherman, Phoenix, AZ; 3. 2B Brady Short, Be