1/17/2010
Chris Coker
Chris Coker Takes His First Shot At The Illusive "Golden Driller"
Last week Chris Coker made his rookie debut at the infamous Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, and what a debut it was. The Chili Bowl is widely regarded as the "Indy 500 of Midget Racing" and the "Modern Day International Race of Champions." To put it in perspective, Tony Stewart once said it was one of the five races he had to win before he would quit, along with the Daytona 500, Indy 500, Knoxville Nationals, and Belleville Midget Nationals. That's how big the Chili Bowl is, and everyone knows it. From day one it's awe inspiring as trailers sporting the top names in the sport flow into the massive Quick Trip Center until every parking space is filled with teams and vendors.
Chris would hit the track on three of the seven nights. Testing on Monday, Qualifying on Thursday, and the big feature night on Saturday. A 4th place heat race run got Coker into one of four qualifying races and eventually the B main where he would finish 9th. The qualifying night victory drought left Chris in the F main come Saturday where he would place 13th. Overall Chris finished approximately 120th out of the 265 entries. A good effort for any driver, but a great effort for a rookie.
Chris Coker summarizes his first Chili Bowl experience for us:
"I did well for a rookie, but very average overall, and it showed at the end of the week. We finished right in the middle of the field, and that's what is suppose to happen when your average. I was really frustrated until I started to put things in perspective... I went to Chili Bowl when I was 13, and raced a quarter midget across the street. I honestly never thought I would be in the big show one day. I bet there aren't many drivers here that didn't run more races last year than I have in my entire career. Most importantly, my 91 year old Grandfather (Loyd Coker) got to watch his Grandson race in the Chili Bowl! That would make me proud even if we finished dead last.
But I don't think I really got over the "average" results until the driver ceremonies just before the nights main event. I walked out with the other drivers from Texas, and all over the track I saw the greatest drivers in the world: Kahne, McCarl, Saldana, Meyers, Johnson, Jones, Walker, and too many others to name off... then we stop in turn one and I find myself standing and listening to the National Anthem just inches away from five time winner Sammy Swindell, two time winner (and superstar) Tony Stewart, and the eventual 2010 winner Kevin Swindell... right then it clicked: I wasn't suppose to just beat these guys. I have to get better, I have to earn it, so that's what I'm going to do."
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