Chili Bowl schedule, VIROC V Invitational Race of Champions lineup

BY JOHN RITTENOURE World Correspondent
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
1/08/13 at 7:04 AM

Chili Bowl schedule

Where: Expo Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds

Tuesday: Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus VIROC V Invitational Race of Champions

Wednesday: River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night

Thursday: John Christner Trucking Qualifying Night

Friday: Vacuworx Global Qualifying Night

Saturday: Lucas Oil/General Tire Championship Feature Events

Past winners

Kevin Swindell (2010, '11, '12), Sammy Swindell (1989, 1992, '96, '98, 2009), Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2002 and '07), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2000 and '04), Dan Boorse (1999 and 2003), 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).

Trade show

The trade show is always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Nationals. It is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with more than 100 vendors. The trade show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.

Tickets: A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Warren CAT Qualifying Event and the VIROC V Invitational Race of Champions is available for $43 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate if still available. Pit passes are available at the gate as well.

Chili Bowl online: All official news regarding the Chili Bowl Nationals can be found at tulsaworld.com/chilibowl Live online audio of each night can be found at tulsaworld.com/racinboys

For more information on the Chili Bowl, see tulsaworld.com/chilibowl or call 918-838-3777.

Original Print Headline: Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals

VIROC V Invitational Race of Champions lineup

1 - Sammy Swindell: The three-time and reigning champion of the VIROC (2009, '11, '12), the elder Swindell has five Golden Drillers to his credit. Sammy will be driving the Swindell Motorsports No. 1.

39 - Kevin Swindell: Where his father has three VIROC titles, the second-generation Swindell has three Golden Drillers in as many years to his credit. Kevin will be driving the Mike Curb/Swindell Motorsports No. 39.

24 - Tracy Hines: The 2005 Chili Bowl champion enters this year's event with new hopes for 2013. Piloting the Bob Parker-backed No. 24, the Indiana native looks to better his 2012 finish of third.

21K - Cory Kruseman: The southern California non-wing ace has topped the Chili Bowl twice (2000 and '04). Fielding his own Lucas Oil No. 21K, Kruseman's best finish in the VIROC came in 2010 with an eighth-place finish.

71 - Kyle Larson: At this point, there aren't many races in the world of dirt track racing that Larson hasn't won. Fresh off a four-for-four run in New Zealand, the 2012 Turkey Night Grand Prix winner enters under the Keith Kunz/Curb Agajanian banner in the No. 71.

5 - Cole Whitt: A regular with the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Whitt enters the VIROC aboard the Wilki Pak No. 5. Whitt's best finish in the VIROC came in 2012 with a fourth-place finish.

1st - J.J. Yeley: The Arizona native and NASCAR Sprint Cup competitor is never short on excitement. Yeley has a pair of top-five finishes in the VIROC, with a fifth in 2009 and a fourth in 2011. The USAC Triple Crown winner will be behind the wheel of the McKinnie Motorsports No. 1st.

15x - Chad Boat: The son of former Indy Car driver Billy Boat, the second-generation Boat makes his rounds with the K&N Pro East Series, but for the VIROC he will be behind the wheel of the John Lawson-owned No. 15x. The VIROC V marks Chad's first attempt at the 25-lap event.

98 - Brad Sweet: Another VIROC rookie in 2013, Sweet will pilot the Gary Zarounian-backed No. 98 in this year's race.

63 - Jerry Coons Jr.: Earning the National Midget Driver of the Year for 2012, Arizona's Coons Jr. has secured his place in the VIROC for the first time. Coons will spend the Chili Bowl aboard the Dooling Machine No. 63.

47 - Damion Gardner: Known far and wide as "The Demon," the 2008 Chili Bowl champion will pair with Andy Bondio for the 2013 Chili Bowl in the No. 47 machine.

47x - Tim McCreadie: A wild card at the Chili Bowl, the late-model driver from Watertown, N.Y., was the talk of the racing world when he upset the Chili Bowl field in 2006. Absent since 2011, McCreadie returns in the Andy Bondio-backed No. 47x.

14 - Tony Stewart: A three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and two-time champion of the Chili Bowl (2002 and '07), "Smoke" will again bring his Chevrolet Performance No. 14 to the Chili Bowl with hopes of not only breaking the Swindell stronghold but adding the VIROC to his resume.

56P - Jason Leffler: Returning in the Shane Hmiel-owned No. 56P, California's Jason Leffler will look to improve on his third-place performance in the VIROC in 2011.

05 - Brad Loyet: The winner of the VIROC II, 3x POWRi Midget champion Loyet returns to the Chili Bowl with the Orange Army with hopes of improving upon his eighth-place result in 2012.