“Great Clips, Inc. logo to adorn the cars of Jason Leffler, Brad Sweet and Matt Hummel in famed event”
All three drivers have deep roots in open wheel racing and all three look to be strong contenders for the Golden Driller trophy. Leffler, who will be driving for owner Keith Kunz, is credited with multiple USAC championships throughout his career. His best performance in the five-day event occurred in 1998 when he came away with a second-place finish. Other top finishes include a fifth-place in 2004 and ninth in 2000. Leffler did lay claim to the title as an owner when Damion Gardner won in the event in 2008, driving under the Leffler Racing banner.
Sweet and Hummel will both be driving KKR entries in the event. Sweet also made a name for himself in the national open wheel racing circuits. Tapped to drive for KKR in 2008, Sweet became a superstar in his own right in the USAC racing world with victories including the Belleville Midget Nationals, the Knoxville Midget Nationals and both the Sprint Car and Midget “Four Crown Nationals” at Eldora Speedway. Sweet has made four starts in the Chili Bowl Nationals with a best finish of ninth in 2010.
Hummel, who works for KKR as a mechanic, will be making his third start in the Chili Bowl Nationals. Prior to working at KKR, Hummel moonlighted in the midget series in California and Indiana. His career-best finish was seventh at Belleville.
After a practice session on Monday, January 9th, the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals will kick off one night later with the first of four qualifying nights. For Leffler, Tuesday night will include the fourth annual International Chili Bowl Race of Champions, featuring past event winners and other top Chili Bowl contenders squaring off in a special feature race. The action continues with Wednesday’s River Spirit Casino Qualifier, Thursday’s Suburban Chevrolet Qualifier and then Friday’s International Qualifier.
The top-three finishers from each of the Qualifying Night features will automatically lock into the Saturday night (January 14th) Lucas Oil Chili Bowl championship feature, with the balance of Saturday’s Lucas Oil championship feature events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes.
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Quick Facts
What: 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When:
January 10-14, 2011
Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus Vacuworx Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Suburban Chevrolet Qualifying Night
Friday – Vacuworx International Qualifying Night
Saturday – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events
The five nights of racing action will be preceded by a practice session on Monday, January 9.
Past Winners: Kevin Swindell (2010 and 2011), 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), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
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.
Tickets: A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night’s Warren CAT Qualifying Event and the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $43 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate if still available. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, including official entry lists, race results and recaps, is available first at www.chilibowl.com. Also, all five nights of the Chili Bowl Nationals will be broadcast live (audio) on www.racinboys.com.
- Stringer Motorsports / Great Clips, Inc. Press Release
