2017 Chili Bowl Sets New Entry Record with More Expected

TULSA, Okla. (December 26, 2017) The 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire set the mark at 349 entries, but the 31st edition just smashed that record as 358 entries have been turned in for the annual “Mecca of Midgets”.

With the 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire slated for January 10-14, 2017 inside the River Spirit Expo Center, there is still time to further that record as entries can be accepted all the way up until the final preliminary night on January 13.

The question now, is can the attendance record of 335 be broken? The mark was also set during the 30th annual event.

Among the latest round of entries includes some of Sprint Car racing’s royalty like Wooster, Ohio’s Jac Haudenschild. The three-time A-Feature starter is known for his over the top, win or wear it driving style and is scheduled to pilot the JFM No. 73x again in 2017. Jac is also among the few Father/Son combination in this year’s Chili Bowl as Sheldon Haudenschild will wheel a ride for Mike Larson/Keith Kunz Motorsports.

Jac Haudenschild is one of 57 past A-Feature starters that currently populate the list of 2017 Golden Driller hopefuls.

Of the 358 entries, 19 of those are still looking for shoe. One of the most notable is Loyet Motorsports who found the original driver of one of their No. o5 machines was not going to be able to make the trip. Also on the that list is Clauson-Marshall Racing, Frank Manafort, Fisher-Hartman, Swindell, Mounce, RayPro Motorsports, and Felker just to name a few.

While the list of Chili Bowl veterans continues to read like a Hall of Fame induction, the list of Rookies is grown at a rapid pace as well as 71 drivers will take their first swing at mastering the Tulsa Expo Raceway. Added recently was Georgia’s Jonathan Davenport. A product of the world of Late Models, Davenport is a true Midget rookie, though that doesn’t seem to be stopping the 2015 Lucas Oil Late Model Champion. In 2016, Davenport racked up 10 wins with the Lucas Oil backed series, including the $40,000 to win Silver Dollar Nationals at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb.

Davenport will be racing for Zach Daum who, along with racing himself, is again providing the Tony Elliott Memorial car that was awarded to David Gravel for the 2017 edition.

Officials are working on breaking the entry list down into Qualifying nights. That list is scheduled to be released late on December 27, 2016.

The entire list of Chili Bowl entrants can be found online at http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx.

Tickets for the opening night on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, are still available. The opening night will also include the eight edition of the Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champion, otherwise known as the VIROC. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (918) 838-3777 or by stopping by the River Spirit Expo Center. Pit Passes are sold at the event and double as a General Admission pass. Pit Passes never sell out.

The 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire takes place January 10-14, 2017 inside the River Spirit Expo Center. For continued updates on the 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, log onto http://www.chilibowl.com.

Quick Notes:
What: 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
When: January 10-14, 2017
Where: River Spirt Expo Center – Tulsa Expo Raceway 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74114

Entry Information:
Late Entry ($200): December 16, 2017 – January 13, 2016

Tuesday, January 10 – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus 8th annual VIROC
Wednesday, January 11 – Hard Rock Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday, January 12 – John Christner Trucking Qualifying Night
Friday, January 13 – Vacuworx Global Qualifying Night
Saturday, January 14 – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events

Times:
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Move-In…………………………………………9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Pit Pass Booth Opens…………………… …12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Monday, January 9, 2017
Building/Pit Pass Booth Open…………………………..8:00 am
Pit Pass Booth Opens…………………………………..8:00 am
Practice…………………………………………………… 9:00 am
Multi-day Pit Pass $245.00~ Single day $30.00

Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Building Opens……………………………………………9:00 am
Pit Pass Booth Opens…………………………………..11:00 am
Hot Laps……………………………………………………4:00 pm
Races……………………………………………………… 5:00 pm
Multi day Pit Pass $220.00 ~ Single day $45.00

Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Building Opens……………………………………………9:00 am
Pit Pass Booth Opens…………………………………..11:00 am
Hot Laps……………………………………………………4:00 pm
Races……………………………………………………… 5:00 pm
Multi-day Pit Pass $180.00 ~ Single day $45.00

Thursday, January 12, 2017
Building Opens……………………………………………9:00 am
Pit Pass Booth Opens…………………………………..11:00 am
Hot Laps……………………………………………………4:00 pm
Races……………………………………………………… 5:00 pm
Multi-day Pit Pass $140.00 ~ Single day $45.00

Friday, January 13, 2017
Building Opens/Trade Show ………………………….. 9:00 am
Pit Pass Booth/Pit Gate ……………………………….. 9:00 am
Auction ………………………………………………………..12:00 pm
Hot Laps……………………………………………………4:00 pm
Races……………………………………………………… 5:00 pm
Multi days Pit Pass $100.00 ~ Single day $45.00

Saturday, January 14, 2017
Building Opens/Trade Show ………………………….. 8:00 am
Pit Pass Booth/Pit Gate ………………………………… 8:00 am
Feature Races……………………………………………10:00 am
Opening Ceremonies…………………………………………..6:00 pm
Single Day Pass – $60

Contact:

Phone: (918) 838-3777
Fax: (918) 836-5517
Mail: 1141 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112

Chili Bowl Online:
Website: http://www.chilibowl.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chilibowlnationals
Twitter: (@cbnationals)
Official Hashtag: #ChiliBowl2017
Instagram: cbnationals
Snap Chat: TheChiliBowl

Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Champions:
Year – Driver (Owner)
2016 – Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2015 – Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2014 – Bryan Clauson (Joe Dooling/Rusty Kunz/Curb Records)
2013 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2012 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2011 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2010 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2009 – Sammy Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2008 – Damion Gardner (Jason Leffler)
2007 – Tony Stewart (Tony Stewart Motorsports)
2006 – Tim McCreadie (Steve Smith)
2005 – Tracy Hines (Wilke – Pak)
2004 – Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
2003 – Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
2002 – Tony Stewart (Keith Kunz)
2001 – Jay Drake (Keith Kunz)
2000 – Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
1999 – Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
1998 – Sammy Swindell (Pete Willoughby)
1997 – Billy Boat (John Lawson)
1996 – Sammy Swindell (Rusty Kunz / Jay McKinnie)
1995 – Donnie Beechler (Zarounian Motorsports)
1994 – Andy Hillenburg (Keith Kuntz / Rusty Kunz)
1993 – Dave Blaney (Ralph Potter)
1992 – Sammy Swindell (Dave Ellis)
1991 – Lealand McSpadden (Andy Bondio)
1990 – John Heydenreich (Tony Finley)
1989 – Sammy Swindell (Jack Runyon)
1988 – Scott Hatton (Jerry Hatton)
1987 – Rich Vogler (Bob Lowe)

VIROC Champions: Tanner Thorson (2016), Sammy Swindell (2015, 2012, 2011, 2009), Kyle Larson (2014), Kevin Swindell (2013), 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.
=======================================
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 http://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 http://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 http://www.chilibowl.com or call 918-838-3777.

Sources: Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals PR