11/13/2013
Chili Bowl Nationals
Chili Bowl Entries trickling into Tulsa
Bryan Hulbert - TULSA, Okla. (November 13, 2013) While the countdown to the next Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, for some, begins the second the checkered flag falls on Saturday’s A-Feature, the reality of the world’s biggest indoor Midget race closing in begins as the first entry forms arrive at the Chili Bowl office.
Sent out just over a week ago, it only took a couple days for the first entry forms to begin coming back. The first to arrive; the three car team of Shannon McQueen Racing.
At time of press, 26 entries have returned to Tulsa with 21 confirmed drivers from seven states plus a trio of rookie contenders. The 2013 lot saw 48 drivers vying for Rookie of the Year, which was ultimately earned by California’s D.J. Netto.
Drivers from California and Oklahoma each number seven entries thus far. A pair for Arizona and Illinois with Iowa, Ohio, and Wisconsin having each sent a single entry so far. The 2013 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire officially saw 268 entries from 32 states and three countries.
The entry list for the 2014 event is scheduled for release on December 12, 2013 during PRI Indy.
So far, no entries have been returned to qualify for the Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions. The sixth edition of the Champion’s showdown is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2014. With the exception of Brad Loyet’s victory in 2010, the Swindell name has dominated the VIROC. Sammy has conquered the champion’s showdown three times (2009, 2011, and 2012) with Kevin laying claim to the VIROC trophy in 2013. Invitation into the VIROC involves begin a past champion, either as a driver or an owner.
The 28th Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire will begin moving teams in on Sunday January 12, 2014.
Practice is scheduled for Monday, January 13 with the first night of competition getting underway with Tuesday’s Warren CAT Qualifying night as well as the sixth annual Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions.
Competition continues with Wednesday’s River Spirit Casino Qualifier, Thursday’s John Christner Trucking Qualifier, and Friday Vacuworx Global Qualifier with everything culminating on Saturday’s Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Championship.
The top three in each Qualifying Night A-Feature will transfer directly into the Saturday championship event with the remainder of Saturday’s features lined up according to the Qualifying night finishes.
Limited reserved seat tickets are still available by calling the Chili Bowl office at 918-838-3777. General Admission seating is available along the back straight-a-way and can be accessed with the purchase of a Pit Pass.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire can be found online at http://www.chilibowl.com. For more updates follow the Chili Bowl on Facebook and on Twitter.
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire - Quick Facts:
What: 28th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway – quarter-mile clay oval inside the River Spirit Expo Center at Tulsa's Expo Square
When: January 14-18, 2014
Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions
Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – John Christner Trucking Qualifying Night
Friday – Vacuworx Global Qualifying Night
Saturday – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events
Times:
Races Tuesday-Friday begin at 6:00 P.M.. Grandstands open at 3:00 P.M. (CT)
Saturday begins at Noon. Opening Ceremonies following qualifiers is at 6:00 P.M. Grandstands open at 9:00 A.M.
Past Champions: Kevin Swindell (2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010), Sammy Swindell (2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), John Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Past VIROC Champions: Kevin Swindell (2013), Sammy Swindell (2012, 2011, and 2009), Brad Loyet (2010)
Trade Show: A long standing tradition at the Chili Bowl, the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday), is free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 vendors. The Trade Show still has space available. Anyone looking to be a part of the Trade Show can contact the Chili Bowl office at 918-838-3777. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Chili Bowl Online: All official news regarding the 28th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl National presented by General Tire can be found at http://www.chilibowl.com. Updates throughout the Chili Bowl can be found via Facebook and Twitter at http://www.facebook.com/chilibowlnationals and http://www.twitter.com/cbnationals.
Event Coverage: For the first time, the Chili Bowl will be show online on http://www.racinboys.com. The online PPV experience will run from Tuesday through Saturday’s qualifiers. At time of opening ceremonies on Saturday, Racinboys PPV coverage will cease as final features will be shown live on MAVTV American Real for the first time. For a complete listing of channels, and to request MAVTV, log onto http://www.mavtv.com.
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. More information about the products available from Lucas Oil can be found at www.lucasoil.com. General Tire is the presenting sponsor of the Chili Bowl. A complete inventory of tires offered by General Tire can be found at www.generaltire.com.
Vacuworx Global is the title sponsor of the VIROC which brings past Chili Bowl Champions as well as champions from around the world together for a single 20 lap race to see who is the best of the best. For more information about Vacuworx log onto www.vacuworx.com. For more information on past champions of the VIROC, log onto www.theviroc.com.
For more information on the Chili Bowl log onto www.chilibowl.com or call 918-838-3777.
Photo Credit: Nicole Lee
Submitted By: Bryan Hulbert
