Hines and Darland Among Latest Chili Bowl entries

by Bryan Hulbert
TULSA, OK | Dec. 9, 2013 - As the December 17 deadline for early entry looms, the number of drivers has begun to swell as the list of Golden Driller hopefuls stands at 137 drivers spread among 95 teams.

Tracy Hines is the first past driver champion to enter the 2014 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire. Topping the field in 2005 for Wilke-Pak, the Indiana native will be behind the wheel of the Bob Parker backed No. 24. Hines, with 12 Chili Bowl “A” Features to his credit, will also field a car in the coming Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals for C.J. Leary.

After a stirring performance that culminated in winning the 73rd Turkey Night Grand Prix, Dave Darland will look to add a Golden Driller to his list of accomplishments in 2014. Ten victories in 2013, Darland will take to the clay in the RW/Curb/Agajanian No. 17R. Dave’s best finish in 13 “A” Feature starts at the Chili Bowl came as a runner up in 2005 to Tracy Hines.

No representing four countries, the latest batch to represent Australia include a pair of Chili Bowl rookies. Pushing the list of first timers to 30, Mathew Smith of Brandy Hill, NSW in the Jerry Hardy backed No. 4AU and Matt Hunter of Silver Ridge, NSW in the No. 13AU, for 2006 owner champion Steve Smith, make their first trip to Tulsa, Okla. Smith, who won the coveted Golden Driller with Tim McCreadie at the wheel in 2006, is the only champion car owner from outside the United States.

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: Dave Darland 13, Tracy Hines 12, J.J. Yeley 7, P.J Jones 6, Matt Westfall 5, Steve Buckwalter 5, Casey Shuman 4, Bryan Clauson 4, Davey Ray 4, Michael Pickens 4, Chris Windom 3, Thomas Meseraull 3, Daryn Pittman 3, Shane Golobic 3, Jac Haudenschild 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

Counties Represented: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States

United State Count: Oklahoma 29, Indiana 17, Illinois 14, California 13, Pennsylvania 10, Ohio 5, Missouri 5, Texas 4, Kansas 4, Wyoming 3, Arkansas 3, Arizona 3, Wisconsin 2, South Dakota 2, North Carolina 2, Iowa 2, Colorado 2, Washington, New Jersey, Nebraska, Michigan, Idaho

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.