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2008 Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals Winner? Media Survey Says...
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 7, 2008) – The best of the best are
set to slug it out over the course of five nights, beginning on Tuesday at the
22nd Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, and the odds of selecting
Saturday night's winner are only slightly better than winning the lottery.
But as has become tradition, a number of motorsports media members have
been asked to do just that.
A difficult question to be sure. Can Tony Stewart become the first back-to-
back winner in event history? Will Cory Kruseman or J.J. Yeley give car owner
Andy Bondio a fourth Golden Driller? Will Sammy Swindell get his fifth Chili
Bowl win? Will Kasey Kahne follow Tony Stewart's 06-07 pattern of "F" Main to
Chili Bowl glory? Or will one of 280 or so others become the 16th different
winner in Chili Bowl history?
Two years ago, none of the esteemed media members selected eventual
winner Tim McCreadie. And to top themselves, not one singled out Tony
Stewart to win last year's edition of the Chili Bowl. In short, don't bet the house
payment on any of the following.
Tony Bokhoven – Chili Bowl Announcer
Selection – Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
"Ricky picked up 5 midget wins this season driving for TSR and was arguably
one of the top non-wing sprint car and midget drivers of the season. I think he
has the momentum and determination to win a Golden Driller in 2008."
Bryan Gapinski – Founder, National Midget Driver of the Year award
Selection – Jerry Coons, Jr.
"With a record 285 entries I believe about 10% (28) have the correct driver/car
owner combination to claim the Golden Driller. From that I scaled it down to a
great final few laps Saturday Night with Jerry Coons Jr. nipping Tracy Hines &
Jason Leffler for the victory, there's your podium for Saturday!"
Gary Guehler – Texas Motor Speedway
Selection – Dave Darland/Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
"Picking the outside temperature on Chili Bowl Saturday is easier than
choosing a Golden Driller winner. Let's go with a couple of unexpected
choices - after all, isn't picking a Stewart, Swindell or Kruseman the easy way
out? Dave Darland may greet noted owner Steve Lewis' return to the Chili
Bowl wars with midget racing's most prestigious crown Saturday night.
Experienced, knows how to qualify in the prelims, hard charger. A dark horse
is Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. Bullring trained at Memphis' Riverside Speedway,
wingless experience the past seasons. And a fan favorite - who can't root for
KO, Kevin Olson?"
Len Hayward – Sports Editor Midland Reporter-Telegram
Favorites:
Sammy Swindell - Last year showed 4-time champ still as feisty as ever
Tony Stewart - Last chance to have fun before he begins grueling Cup season
Jerry Coons Jr. - Driving for powerful Wilke-Pak team could help him earn
elusive Golden Driller
Cory Kruseman - Always a favorite in Tulsa
Wild Cards:
Jon Stanbrough - Indiana gasser has put on shows before in Tulsa
Dave Darland - Interesting to see how new Toyota powerplant handles the Bowl
J.J. Yeley - You know he's fast if he can stay on his wheels
Gary "Bubba" Altig - Why not? He proved he could compete last year and has
one more year experience
Don Hubbard – Columnist, Sooner Circles
Selection – J.J. Yeley
"He has thrilled the fans for many years and he is overdue, he is my pick for
2008."
Jack Miller – Columnist, Sprint Car & Midget Magazine
"The Chili Bowl competition basically has come down to three main ingredients
over the past twenty one years: a really good car----25% a really good
driver---25% a hell of a lot of luck---50% so here are some of my best picks to
make the Saturday nite feature event.
1. Sammy Swindell....Mr. Consistency, among the leaders every year. Very
smart in tight situations.
2. Brady Short....Surprise!! Surprise!!!
3. Bobby East...only if he can avoid a qualifying nite melee.
4. Danny Lasoski....has been second best in so many big ones. This could
be his time to shine in front.
5. Jon Stanbrough...2007 was his best year yet, and it could carry right on
over to 2008.
6. Dave Darland....the cream always rises to the top. He will always be the
man to beat in any race.
7. Jerry Coons, Jr.....Why not?? He has already won everything else.
8. Tony Stewart....Tony only goes to win!!
9. Darren Hagen....Smart...lot of courage...just needs to get a break.
10. Corey Kruseman....Always there!!! Can do it again anytime, any place.
11. J.J. Yeley....No one more exciting in the entire field. Just needs to avoid
traffic jams.
12. Jason Leffler...has had a pretty tough NASCAR career. Will get his spirits
back up with a good midget run.
13. Brad Kuhn....another of the very good tight competition racers. Just might
be one of the Chili Bowl surprises.
14. Kasey Kahne....why not?? He has always been a great midget chauffeur
and would be great for his commercials.
15. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.....has surprised a lot of people already. Has a really
great ride for this event, but he likes the wide open spaces better than the
close-in stuff.
16. Brady Bacon.....will be one of the top local favorites....Has been really
outstanding in the Tulsa Shoot-outs and can win this one with a couple of
good breaks.
As usual, I do expect to see a couple of non-headliner names in the main
event, but once again, it all comes down to a lot of luck on qualifying nites.
See you all soon and hoping we will have a great experience.
Jerry Reigle – Area Auto Racing News
Selection – Steve Buckwalter
"One year, the Golden Driller trophy will return east of the Mississippi and land
in Pennsylvania. Buckwalter will give the vocal and proud Pennsylvania Posse
fans another reason to proclaim why our drivers are considered the best in the
business with a CBN win. His versatility, which included appearances in Sprint
Cars, Micro Sprints and ARDC Midgets over the past year, makes him a lock to
steal America's best indoor Midget Car race."
John Rittenoure – Tulsa World Correspondent
Selection - Tony Stewart
"I feel Tony Stewart will win again to become the first driver to win a second
straight Chili Bowl."
Pat Sullivan
Selection – Dave Darland
"While I think this may be the most wide-open race in years – Dave Darland
teamed with Steve Lewis and Kelly Drake may help the great veteran finally
get a Golden Driller."
Mike Sweeton – Chili Bowl Announcer
Selection – Jerry Coons, Jr.
"Pick one out of that driver list? You don't ask for much do you? I'd just like to
narrow it down to five. Oh well, here goes... after much grumbling I would have
to say that it is time for Jerry Coons, Jr. to take home his first Golden Driller.
He's always towards the front on preliminary nights, which is a key factor in
setting up Saturday night and he's coming off of the two best seasons of his
career. Most importantly is how well he and the Wilke crew seem to be working
together right now. They know what it takes to win this thing and
communication between driver and crew is always a big factor."
Randy Ward – KSAN-TV Sports Director / Chili Bowl Announcer
Selection – Sammy Swindell
Sammy Swindell will win his fifth Golden Driller this time around. No matter how
deep in the field he starts the day on Saturday he will give it a run and truly
think he has a chance to win, and that is what will make him tough to beat.
Justin Zoch – Editor, Flat Out Magazine
Selection – Cory Kruseman
"It's not a coy or interesting pick but I'll take Dave Darland in the Steve Lewis
Number Nine machine. Lewis has lifted his self-imposed Chili Bowl boycott and
will send America's most lovable racer to do the dirty work. Darland has been
close the last few years in the Wilke-Pak Midget and should have everything
he needs this year. He's
made the A-main in nine of his 11 Chili Bowl attempts and with car counts
nearing 300, I'll take the guy most likely to make the A-main and let it ride from
there!"
With the rest of these chaps brave enough to make a selection or two, guess
I'll try out the impossible as well by trying to predict the winner of the 22nd
Annual Dodge Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
Lonnie Wheatley
Selection – Brady Bacon
“Kasey Kahne gets his first Golden Driller, but it will be as car owner rather
than driver as Brady Bacon keeps the Golden Driller within the Sooner State
for just the second time in event history and the first time since an Andy
Hillenburg win in 1994. Honing his skills by taking on the nation's top Midget
and "traditional" Sprint Car shoes over the past year, the third-generation
Bacon tuned up for the Chili Bowl with a win in the Tulsa Shootout Multi class
headliner just over a week ago."
Additional Dodge Chili Bowl Nationals 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: 286 entries from 29 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.
Currently, there are 69 Chili Bowl rookies on the entry list.
At least 32 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), Andrew Deal (non-
wing Micros at Will Rogers Raceway), Doug Nunes (BCRA Midget Lites) and
Joe Walker (Central Missouri Speedway modifieds).
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.
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