First Round of 2014 Chili Bowl Entries Revealed

by Bryan Hulbert 
TULSA, OK | Dec. 3, 2013 - Unveiled at 105 entries, the first pool of Golden Driller hopefuls has been released with drivers representing 79 municipalities from 20 states and two countries.

Among the names entered, 21 have competed in Saturday’s championship feature, including 2013 USAC Champion; Bryan Clauson who will pilot the Dooling No. 63 as team mate to New Zeland’s Michael Pickens.

Clauson, with five Chili Bowl appearances to his credit, tallied 25 victories in 2013, achieved his best finish in the Saturday “A” Feature in 2008, finishing fourth. Pickens has four starts to his credit in the Chili Bowl. A third in 2011 highlight’s the “Kiwi’s” record.

Daryn Pittman, who topped the Outlaws in 2013 for the first time, will again pilot the Bob Hurley Ford No. 21.

Topping the drivers entered so far with the most feature starts is J.J. Yeley. Seven times the Phoenix, Ariz. driver has taken the green with a pair of podium finishes, third in 2004 bettering to a runner up in 2007. Three top five’s and four top ten appearances complete Yeley’s Chili Bowl résumé.

P.J Jones has the longest history of drivers entered so far. Making his first Chili Bowl in 1994, the closest first time feature starters among drivers entered is J.J. Yeley, Matt Westfall, and Daryn Pittman who made the call in 1999.

So far, 20 drivers will seek the title of Rookie of the Year with Oklahoma and California providing the largest number of hopefuls. Elk Grove Ford Motorsports has entered a trio of Chili Bowl Rookies. Cole Wood, who capped off his 2013 season as Rookie of the Year in ASCS Nationals competition leads the team of first timers into the Chili Bowl, including Dominic Scelzi, son of four-time NHRA World Champion Gary Scelzi, and Elk Grove’s Chase Johnson.

The complete list of entries for the 2014 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire can be found at http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx

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.

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.

Chili Bowl 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).

VIROC Champions: Kevin Swindell (2013), Sammy Swindell (2012, 2011, and 2009), Brad Loyet (2010)

Past “A” Feature Starters: J.J. Yeley 7, P.J Jones 6, Matt Westfall 5, Steve Buckwalter 5, Casey Shuman 4, Bryan Clauson 4, Michael Pickens 4, Chris Windom 3, Thomas Meseraull 3, Daryn Pittman 3, Shane Golobic 3, Mike Hess 3, Zach Daum 2, Jonathan Beason 2, Billy Wease 2, A.J. Fike 2, Brady Bacon 2, Andrew Felker, Brandon Waelti, Daniel Adler, Shane Hollingsworth

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 http://www.chilibowl.com or call 918-838-3777.