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Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals – Nightly Lineups Announced!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 27, 2007) – With another
blockbuster edition of the Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals less than two weeks
away, the talent-laden field of entries has been divvied up into qualifying
nights.
Currently, 277 entries from 27 different states as well as Canada and Australia
have been filed for the 22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, which takes
place atop the Tulsa Expo Raceway ¼-mile clay oval located inside the
QuikTrip Center on January 8-12, 2008.
A half dozen of the entered drivers have already captured the Golden Driller
on at least one occasion, including defending Chili Bowl champ and two-time
winner Tony Stewart. Stewart became just the fourth driver to take top Chili
Bowl honors on more than one occasion, joining the likes of four-time winner
Sammy Swindell and two-time winner Cory Kruseman, who will both make a bid
for another Golden Driller in 2008. Other past winners entered include 2006
champ Tim McCreadie, 2005 winner Tracy Hines and 1990 ace Johnny
Heydenreich.
A total of 195 entries have been distributed over the Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday Qualifying events to vie for starting positions in Saturday's full slate
of Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday feature events, which will
commence with twin "K" Mains before finally culminating in Saturday night's 50-
lap Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals championship "A" Main event.
Another 82 entries have been designated for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying
event, consisting of newcomers or relative newcomers to the Chili Bowl. 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 8, 2008 – Pre-Qualifying Night
With 82 set for the second Pre-Qualifying event in Chili Bowl history, the big
question is "Who will be this year's Bubba Altig?" Last year, the relative
unknown became a household name with a last lap Tuesday night win and
then backed it up by locking himself into Saturday's finale with a top-four run
on his qualifying night.
The current field of Pre-Qualifying entries consists of 38 Chili Bowl rookies,
with another 21 that competed in last year's Tuesday night event. Several to
keep an eye on that made last year's Tuesday night feature and hit the track
this time around with the extra experience include Samantha Taylor (11th last
year), Jeff Griffin (14th), Joey Fabozzi (17th), Dalton Cole (19th), Rafe Essary
(22nd) and Cameron Beard (24th).
One of the 80 or so will enjoy the Chili Bowl spotlight at the end of the night,
with 15 moving on to Qualifying night festivities where some will likely make
their Chili Bowl mark. The balance of the field gets an early wake up call on
Saturday.
Tuesday Night Pre-Qualifiers
Wednesday, January 9, 2008 – Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
The wagering pools heat up on Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night at the
Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, with some of the headliners including 2006 Chili
Bowl king Tim McCreadie, three-time Chili Bowl runner-up Danny Lasoski,
National Midget Driver of the Year Jerry Coons, Jr., and Michael Waltrip
Racing development driver and Sprint Car and Midget grad Josh Wise.
Other Creek Nation Casino Wednesday night aces include 2007 USAC Sprint
Car champion Levi Jones, six-time ARDC champion Ray Bull, Badger ace
Davey Ray, Casey Shuman, 2007 Chili Bowl rookie sensation Donnie Ray
Crawford, Bryan Clauson, USAC Western States Midget champ Johnny
Rodriguez, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and World of Outlaws runner-up Joey
Saldana.
Past Wednesday night winners: Davey Ray (2007), Danny Lasoski (2006),
Josh Ford (2005), Danny Lasoski (2004), Dan Boorse (2003), Kevin Doty
(2002).
Wednesday's Chili Bowl Nationals Rookie Contenders: Andrew Felker, Derek
Hagar, Eric Heydenreich, Blake Miller, Kevin Ramey, Gary Scelzi, Hunter
Schuerenberg, Brad Sweet, Jerrod Wilson
Wednesday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Ten or more years of Chili Bowl
experience): Donnie Lehmann 18, Danny Lasoski 16, Kevin Olson 15, Dave
Camfield, Jr. 13, Jerry Coons, Jr. 10, Johnny Murdock 10.
Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Wednesday's
Entries: Danny Lasoski 14, Kevin Olson 10, Jerry Coons, Jr., 8, Matt Westfall
5, Shane Carson 4, Donnie Lehmann 4, Rick Hendrix 3, Tim McCreadie 3,
Davey Ray 3, Ray Bull 2, Casey Shuman 2, Josh Wise 2, Donnie Ray
Crawford 1, Danny Ebberts 1, A.J. Fike 1, Aaron Fiscus 1, Josh Ford 1, Wayne
Johnson 1, Mat Neely 1, Johnny Rodriguez 1.
Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night Entries
Thursday, January 10, 2008 – Warren CAT Qualifying Night
A pair of past Chili Bowl champs including four-time winner Sammy Swindell
and 2005 champ Tracy Hines headline Thursday night's Warren CAT
Qualifying field, with 2007 runner-up J.J. Yeley and last year's Thursday night
winner, Shane Cottle, also among the top threats.
Other top Thursday cats include National Non-Wing Sprint Car Driver of the
Year Jon Stanbrough, USAC Silver Crown champion Bud Kaeding, young gun
Chris Windom, Danny Stratton, Garrett Hansen, Badger Midget champ Brad
Kuhn, '07 Chili Bowl podium finisher Justin Allgaier and Tulsa-area hotshoe
Brady Bacon.
Past Thursday night winners: Shane Cottle (2007), 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 Nationals Rookie Contenders: Tommy Bryant, Stewart
Friesen, Shane Golobic, Justin Grant, Jerry Higbie, Jr., Dennis Rodriguez, Nick
Wean, George White.
Thursday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Ten or more years of Chili Bowl experience):
Sammy Swindell 17, Johnny Heydenreich 16, Critter Malone 15, Randy Koch
15, Bill Allen 13, Tracy Hines 11, J.J. Yeley 11, Nick O'Neal 10, Gary Wright 10.
Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Thursday's Entries:
Sammy Swindell 15, Tracy Hines 9, Randy Koch 7, J.J. Yeley 5, Shane Cottle
4, Gary Wright 4, Johnny Heydenreich 3, Bud Kaeding 3, Jon Stanbrough 3,
Justin Allgaier 2, Chad DeSelle 2, Garrett Hansen 2, Brad Kuhn 2, Critter
Malone 2, Tyler Brown 1, Ryan Durst 1, David Gough 1, Jonathan Hendrick 1,
Danny Stratton 1, Brandon Waelti 1, Tyler Walker 1, Chris Windom 1.
Warren CAT Qualifying Night Entries
Friday, January 11, 2008 – O'Reilly Qualifying Night
The final night of Qualifying action finds two-time and defending Chili Bowl
champ Tony Stewart squaring off with fellow two-time winner Cory Kruseman
along with NASCAR star Kasey Kahne and past USAC champion Dave Darland.
Other top Friday contenders include Bobby East, Wayne Johnson, P.J. Jones,
Joe Boyles, Terry McCarl, Steve Buckwalter, Darren Hagen, Jason Leffler,
Damion Gardner, Jason Meyers and Bubba Altig, who bypasses Tuesday night
this time around.
Past Friday night winners: Dave Darland (2007), 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 Nationals Rookie Contenders: Jeff Bland, Jr., Jason Holt,
Kyle Larson, Brett Miller, Bob Ream, Jr., Ryan Smith, Scott Winters.
Friday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Ten or more years of Chili Bowl experience):
Rich Camfield 17, Steve Newman 16, Tony Stewart 11, Jason Leffler 11, Dave
Darland 10, Cory Kruseman 10, P.J. Jones 10.
Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Friday's Entries:
Dave Darland 9, Jason Leffler 9, Ron Shuman 9, Tony Stewart 9, Cory
Kruseman 8, P.J. Jones 6, Kasey Kahne 4, Steve Buckwalter 3, Joe Boyles 3,
Rich Camfield 2, Don Droud, Jr. 2, Bobby East 2, Mike Hess 2, Wayne
Johnson 2, Troy Rutherford 2, Bubba Altig 1, Damion Gardner 1, Shane
Hollingsworth 1, Jason Meyers 1, Paul White 1.
O'Reilly Qualifying Night Entries
Saturday, January 12, 2008 – Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday
The action gets rolling early on Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday at the
Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals, with the twin "K" Mains getting the green flag at
approximately 1:00 p.m. If car count dictates, one or more "L" Mains may be
necessary.
Memorable charges through the alphabet have been frequent in past years as
top guns bounce back from a bad shake from Lady Luck on their qualifying
night.
The Bass Pro Shops Championship Saturday alphabet soup of features
culminates with the night's Dodge Chili Bowl championship "A" Main event,
where 24 drivers all strive to leave the competition in the proverbial dust in the
50-lap capper.
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).
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 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.
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