Tulsa, Oklahoma (December 4, 2015) - As Andy Williams sang, "It's the most wonderful time of the year," but let's face it; were not talking about Christmas. Almost as anticipated as the first night of racing is the first glimpse at the roster of Golden Driller hopefuls.
Taking place January 12-16, 2016 inside the River Spirit Expo Center the list for the 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire unveils at 144 entries with a 10 still seeking a driver for hire.
Of the 132 confirmed drivers that make up the early list, 31 enter as Chili Bowl Rookies with another 13 drivers having made the cut on Saturday night.
Tracy Hines, currently leads the A-Feature count at 13. Piloting the Bob Parker / Toyota No. 24, Hines will also oversee three other drivers during the Chili Bowl with Nick Drake, Chase Briscoe, and Mark Lowrey under the stewardship of the 2005 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Champion.
Keeping in line with Indiana drivers, second in A-Feature count on a still early list of contenders is Shane Cottle. A best finish of runner-up in his first attempt in 2000, "The Throttle" is scheduled to pilot the Kenneth Love No. 71x.
A trio with five feature starts, Oklahoma's Daryn Pittman will again wheel the family owned No. 21. Notching A-Feature start No. 5 in 2015, Arizona's Casey Shuman looks to make the show again; this time in the No. 32B for Brian Dunlap. Also with five is Pennsylvania's Steve Buckwalter who last made the call in 2011.
Skipping four and three, drivers with a pair of A-Feature appearances include Oklahoma's Brady Bacon who is slated to jump behind the wheel of the Frank Manafort/Brad Noffsinger No. 76m. Chris "Critter" Malone will be in the Seven, LLC No. 7CH. with Don Droud, Jr. looking to put the Skip Smith Motorsports No. 44 in the show on Saturday night.
Drivers entered who are in search of that second Saturday A-Feature include Kevin Ramey, Tony Roney, Andrew Felker, Andrew Deal, and Shane Hollingsworth.
While some are far from Rookies, the 2016 first timer field stands at 31. One of the most inspirational stories in the Rookie class is Indiana's Eric Saunders.
Paralyzed from the chest down following a Motocross accident just prior to turning 18, that hasn't stopped the now 23 year old driver from pursuing his goals. It was with the help of Tony Stewart in 2012 that Saunders began racing Micros at Plymouth Speedway in Plymouth, Indiana. Utilizing hand controls, Saunders finally found victory in 2014. Along with the Chili Bowl, Eric will get time on the Tulsa Expo Raceway at the 31st Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout, happening December 30, 2015 through January 2, 2016.
To keep on the full list of entries, log onto http://www.chilibowl.com.
30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
Driver Entry List (as of 12/4/2015)
* GO - Kip Hughes (Enid, Oklahoma)List of drivers with sponsors can be found at http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx
Any team wishing to enter can do so via phone, fax, or mail. Entry blanks are available for download online at http://www.chilibowl.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=72453.
Completed entry forms can be sent back to the Chili Bowl offices via Mail to:
Chili Bowl Nationals
1141 S. 83rd East Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74112
Entries may also be Faxed to (918) 836-5517 or enter by phone to (918) 838-3777. All entries must be returned with completed 1099 information in order to be accepted.
Entries received before December 18, 2015 will be charged $150 per car. Any entry received after December 18, 2015 will be considered late and will be charged $200 per car.
Any driver wishing to participate must be a minimum of 16 years of age. Any driver in question will be required to present a copy of their Birth Certificate before their entry will be accepted.
Teams can request qualifying nights. We will do our best to accommodate, but no guarantees are made that your request will be fulfilled.
For questions regarding entries, please contact Bryan Hulbert at (918) 838-3777. For questions regarding Parking, as well as event procedure and rulings, please contact Matt Ward at (918) 995-1650.
For more information, and continued updates on the Chili Bowl Nationals, log onto http://www.chilibowl.com.
Fans can also follow the Chili Bowl at http://www.Facebook.com/cbnationals and Twitter (@cbnationals).
Event Information:
What: 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway - 1/4 mile clay oval inside the River Spirit Expo Center
Location: 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74114
When: January 12-16, 2016
Early Entry Deadline: December 18, 2015
For questions regarding entries, please contact Bryan Hulbert at (918) 838-3777. For questions regarding Parking, as well as event procedure and rulings, please contact Matt Ward at (918) 995-1650.
Tuesday - Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus 8th annual VIROC
Wednesday - River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday - John Christner Trucking Qualifying Night
Friday - Vacuworx Global Qualifying Night
Saturday - Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Champions:
Year - Driver (Owner)
2015 - Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz)
2014 - Bryan Clauson (Joe Dooling/Dooling Marketing)
2013 - Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2012 - Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2011 - Kevin Swindell (Swindlell 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: 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.
Chili Bowl Online: All official news regarding the 30th 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.
