TULSA, Okla. -December 19, 2006- Auto racing great A.J. Foyt has been named Grand Marshal of the upcoming 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, which takes place at the Tulsa Expo Raceway on January 9-13, 2007.

The versatile Foyt, who ranks as the only driver to post victories in the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of LeMans, is an appropriate selection of Grand Marshal for the Chili Bowl, which attracts the top drivers in all variety of motorsports disciplines, including NASCAR, Sprint Cars, Midgets, Late Models and more.

Foyt was the first driver to win the Indianapolis 500 on four different occasions, taking the checkered flag in 1961, 1964, 1967 and 1977. The Houston, TX, native started the Indy 500 a record 35 consecutive times from 1958 to 1992.

Over the course of his career, Foyt collected a dozen major championships and has since been inducted into a variety of Halls of Fame.

Since retiring in 1993, Foyt has remained a prominent figure in the auto racing world as a team owner with the Indy Racing League.

A record 270 drivers, including Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne, have already submitted entries for the prestigious indoor, dirt track racing event, with more expected to enter over the next three weeks.

Originally a two-day event that attracted 52 entries in 1987, the O’Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals has evolved into a five-night extravaganza of indoor, dirt track midget racing, and ranks among the world’s most prestigious auto racing events.

Reserved seating for all four nights of the event was depleted by June 30. General admission tickets for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifier will be available at the gate, with pit passes also available for all five night of racing.

Additional information regarding the O’Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777.

Have an opinion on this story? E-MAIL KARNAC to send a letter to the editor!