From Chili Bowl Staff

TULSA, OK -December 27, 2006- With the qualifying night assignments now determined for the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals, a record field of 278 entries will take to the Tulsa Expo Raceway quarter-mile, indoor clay oval for five nights of Midget racing action on January 9-13.

The field is comprised of entries from 27 different states as well as Australia with top guns from all variety of motorsports disciplines, including NASCAR, NHRA, Sprint Cars, Midgets, Late Models and more converging upon the city of Tulsa in pursuit of the coveted Golden Driller winner's trophy.

A half dozen of the entered drivers have already captured the Golden Driller on at least one occasion, including 2002 winner Tony Stewart, 2005 victor Tracy Hines and defending champion Tim McCreadie. The only three drivers to snare more than one Chili Bowl victory are entered as well, including four-time winner Sammy Swindell (1989, 1992, 1996, 1998) and two-time champions Cory Kruseman (2000 and 2004) and Dan Boorse (1999 and 2003).

A total of 198 entries have been distributed over the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Qualifying events to vie for starting positions in Saturday's full slate of championship events, which will likely commence with twin "L" Mains before finally culminating in Saturday night's 50-lap O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals championship "A" Main event.

Another 80 entries have been designated for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event, added this year to accommodate the continuously increasing car count. The top 15 finishers from Tuesday's Pre-Qualifier will advance to the Qualifying Night events. The balance of Tuesday's field will start in Saturday's early features.

A quick look at each night's entries follows.

Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - Warren CAT Pre-Qualifying Night

Tuesday's Pre-Qualifiers are available at www.chilibowl.com/2007QualPre.asp.

The current count for the first Pre-Qualifier in O'Reilly Chili Bowl history stands at 80 and stands to pick up several more by the time the mighty Midgets fire to life for the Tuesday afternoon practice, which precedes that night's Pre-Qualifier. One sturdy cat will claw his or her way to Tuesday night's victory podium, with the top fifteen all moving on to Qualifying nights where some will ultimately make their Chili Bowl mark. The balance of the field gets an early wake up call on Saturday.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night

Wednesday's Qualifiers are available at www.chilibowl.com/2007QualWed.asp.

The wagering pools heat up on Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night at the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals, with some of the headliners including four-time Chili Bowl champ Sammy Swindell, reigning NST kingpin and former World of Outlaws Sprint Car champion Danny Lasoski, USAC Midget champion Jerry Coons, Jr., and west coast wingless Sprint ace Damion Gardner.

Other Creek Nation Casino Wednesday night aces include 2005 USAC Sprint Car champion Levi Jones, Jon Stanbrough, Johnny Rodriguez, Danny Stratton, Troy Rutherford, Darren Hagen, Mike Hess, NHRA straight-liner Cruz Pedregon and 16-year-old Broken Arrow, OK, sensation Brady Bacon.

Past Wednesday night winners: Danny Lasoski (2006), Josh Ford (2005), Danny Lasoski (2004), Dan Boorse (2003), Kevin Doty (2002).

Wednesday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Eight or more years of Chili Bowl experience): Donnie Lehmann 17, Sammy Swindell 16, Danny Lasoski 15, Dave Camfield, Sr. 10, Jerry Coons, Jr. 9, Tony Elliott 9, Nick O'Neal 9, Joe Boyles 8, A.J. Fike 8, Rick Hendrix 8, Mike Hess 8, Matt Westfall 8.

Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Wednesday's Entries: Sammy Swindell 15, Danny Lasoski 14, Jerry Coons, Jr. 7, Matt Westfall 5, Tony Elliott 4, Donnie Lehmann 4, Rick Hendrix 3, Joe Boyles 2, Mike Hess 2, Davey Ray 2, Troy Rutherford 2, Jon Stanbrough 2, A.J. Fike 1, Damion Gardner 1, Luke Icke 1, Johnny Rodriguez 1, Casey Shuman 1, Danny Stratton 1, Paul White 1.

Thursday, January 11, 2007 - Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night

Thursday's Qualifiers are available at www.chilibowl.com/2007QualThu.asp.

The masses are decked out in hunting gear and go fishing for a winner on Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night at the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, with some of the top contenders including defending race champion Tim McCreadie (who vies to become the first back-to-back winner in event history), 2005 Chili Bowl champ Tracy Hines, 2006 USAC Sprint Car champion Josh Wise and current NASCAR Nextel Cup rep J.J. Yeley, the author of much Chili Bowl lore in recent years.

Some other top guns on Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night include Jason Leffler, Bobby East, Kevin Swindell, Shane Cottle, Ray Bull, Steve Buckwalter, Garrett Hansen, and Owasso, OK, World of Outlaw sprint shoe Daryn Pittman, who returns to the Chili Bowl for the first time since 2001.

Past Thursday night winners: Jay Drake (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Jason Leffler (2004), Scott Hatton (2003), Tracy Hines (2002), Jay Drake (2001), Dave Darland (2000), Kevin Doty (1999), Jason Leffler (1998), Dave Blaney (1997), Billy Pauch (1996), Billy Boat (1995), Page Jones (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Kevin Doty (1992), Lealand McSpadden (1991), John Heydenreich (1990).

Thursday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Eight or more years of Chili Bowl experience): Edwin Wilson 15, Randy Koch 14, Critter Malone 14, Bill Allen 12, Dave Camfield, Jr. 12, Keith Rauch 12, Tracy Hines 10, Jason Leffler 10, J.J. Yeley 10, Robby Flock 9, Aaron Kirk 9, Johnny Murdock 9, Aaron Fike 8.

Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Thursday's Entries: Tracy Hines 8, Jason Leffler 8, Randy Koch 7, J.J. Yeley 4, Shane Cottle 3, Robby Flock 3, Keith Rauch 3, Steve Buckwalter 2, Ray Bull 2, Chad Deselle 2, Bobby East 2, Aaron Fike 2, Critter Malone 2, Tim McCreadie 2, Josh Wise 2, Justin Allgaier 1, Danny Ebberts 1, Aaron Fiscus 1, David Gough 1, Garrett Hansen 1, Mike Goodman 1, Daryn Pittman 1, Brandon Waelti 1.

Friday, January 12, 2007 - Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying Night

Friday's Qualifiers are available at www.chilibowl.com/2007QualFri.asp.

Throngs of O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals patrons vigorously grab life by the horns on Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying Night, which features NASCAR Nextel Cup stars Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne along with two-time Chili Bowl king and reigning USAC/CRA wingless Sprint Car champion Cory Kruseman and past USAC triple crown champion Dave Darland.

Also part of a fierce field that is anything but cute are the likes of former Chili Bowl champion and IRL veteran Billy Boat, National Midget Driver of the Year Brad Kuhn, two-time Chili Bowl winner Dan Boorse, P.J. Jones, Don Droud, Jr., Mike Spencer, Late Model standout Brian Birkhofer and Wayne Johnson, who thrilled last year's Saturday crowd with a rousing drive from Saturday F Main action to the A Main.

Past Friday night winners: Cory Kruseman (2006), Cory Kruseman (2005), Jerry Coons, Jr. (2004), Cory Kruseman (2003), Cory Kruseman (2002), Jay Drake (2001), Cory Kruseman (2000), Dan Boorse (1999), Sammy Swindell (1998), Donnie Beechler (1997), Donnie Beechler (1996), Ron Shuman (1995), Ron Shuman (1994), Ken Schrader (1993), Ken Schrader (1992), Sammy Swindell (1991), Sammy Swindell (1990), Rich Vogler (1989), Danny Frye, Jr. (1988), Gene Gennetten (1987).

Friday's Chili Bowl Veterans (Eight or more years of Chili Bowl experience):
Ron Kuhn 17, Dan Boorse 16, Rich Camfield 16, Steve Newman 15, Tony Stewart 10, Dave Darland 9, P.J. Jones 9, Cory Kruseman 9, Tim Siner 8.

Saturday Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts Among Friday's Entries:
Dan Boorse 9, Dave Darland 8, Cory Kruseman 8, Tony Stewart 8, P.J. Jones 6, Billy Boat 5, Shane Carson 4, Kasey Kahne 4, Rich Camfield 2, Don Droud, Jr. 2, Josh Ford 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Wayne Johnson 1, Brad Kuhn 1.

Saturday, January 13, 2007
Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday

The action gets rolling early on Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday at the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals, with the twin "K" Mains, or more likely twin "L" Mains, getting the green flag at approximately 1:00 p.m.

Memorable charges through the alphabet are always a strong possibility as a bad shake from Lady Luck on a Qualifying night can bury a top contender deep in the Saturday grid. In 2003, Sammy Swindell charged from "E" Feature action to the "A" Main before slicing through the field up to second in only 20 laps before mechanical woes denied what could have ranked as perhaps the most spectacular victory in event history.

A year later, J.J. Yeley passed 69 cars on Saturday by charging from an "F" Main to a third place finish in the championship feature. Then last year, Wayne Johnson juiced up the crowd with a dazzling drive from an "F" Main to the "A".

The Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday alphabet soup of features culminates with the night's O'Reilly Chili Bowl championship "A" Main event, where 24 drivers all strive to leave the competition in the proverbial dust in the 50-lap capper. But at the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals, the final outcome is never sealed until that final checkered flag flies.

Additional O'Reilly Chili Bowl information:

What: 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway - ¼-mile clay oval inside the Tulsa Exposition Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When: January 9-13, 2007. Tuesday - Warren CAT Pre-Qualifying Night; Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night; Thursday - Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night; Friday - Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying Night; Saturday - Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday Features

Past Winners: Tim McCreadie (2006), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tracy Hines (2005), Tony Stewart (2002), 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).

Current Entries: 278 entries from 27 different states, surpassing the 2006 Chili Bowl record of 260 competitors.

Past winners already entered include Tony Stewart, Sammy Swindell, Cory Kruseman, Dan Boorse, Tracy Hines and defending race champion Tim McCreadie.

Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Wednesday 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.

Preferred Parking: A limited number of Preferred Parking spaces are still available for all five nights of the O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.

Buffet: The cafeteria at the east end of the Tulsa Expo Center will offer an all-you-can-eat buffet each day at just $12 for adults and only $6 for children ten years of age and under. The buffet is available from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and then 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals were depleted at the end of June. General admission for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event will be available at the gate for $20 per person. Pit passes for all five nights are available.

O'Reilly Chili Bowl on the Net: All five nights of racing action will be webcast live at www.racinboys.com. Complete information, including entry lists, updates and official results is available at www.chilibowl.com.

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



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