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Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 20, 2005) – Recent photos of Andy Bondio’s latest creation for the upcoming 20th Annual O’ Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at Tulsa Expo Raceway have circulated quickly around the World Wide Web, in the process causing quite a stir among the racing community.
The photos depict Bondio’s No. 47x entry, which is to be piloted by 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year candidate J.J. Yeley, equipped with the most unorthodox of setups. While Cory Kruseman’s Bondio-entry sported a unique motorcycle tire and wheel on the left front in the 2005 edition of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, the innovative Bondio has taken it a step further this time.
The circulated photo, taken after a recent practice session with Kruseman at the wheel, features a ski-like device on the left front corner of the Midget racing machine rather than the standard wheel and tire assembly.
The left front ski drew the attention of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals technical committee as well, to the extent that key members made the trek to the West Coast to further investigate the controversial contraption.
Upon further review, the technical committee determined that the ski in place upon the left front of Bondio’s Midget was in fact of the water-skiing variety, and have thus declared it illegal for the 2006 running of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals as well as future editions of the event.
“The Chili Bowl is a winter-time event, and had the ski been a snow-ski, then perhaps we could have let it go,” quipped Chili Bowl Midget Nationals co-promoter Emmett Hahn. “But since it was a water ski, we had to say ‘no-go’ on that one. Both of Andy’s cars, and all the others, will have four wheels and tires as they chase that coveted Golden Driller trophy on January 11-14, 2006.”
And with the ruling made, Bondio is most assuredly back to the drawing board, hard at work as he seeks a fourth Chili Bowl Midget Nationals victory as a car owner, with previous wins coming with the legendary Lealand McSpadden in 1991 and Kruseman in 2000 and 2004. Bondio enters the 2006 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals with the formidable one-two punch of Kruseman and Yeley, best known in Chili Bowl lore for his historic climbs through Saturday’s alphabet soup features.
What: 20th 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 11-14, 2006. Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night; Thursday – Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Qualifying Night; Friday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night; Saturday – Features
Past Winners: 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: 270 entries from 31 different states, surpassing the 2005 Chili Bowl record of 249 competitors.
Past winners already entered include Tony Stewart, Sammy Swindell, Cory Kruseman, Dan Boorse, Jay Drake, Scott Hatton and defending race champion Tracy Hines.
Other top drivers already entered include Kasey Kahne, 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser, Danny Lasoski, Dave Darland, J.J. Yeley, All-Star champion Chad Kemenah, ASCS champion Gary Wright, ARDC Midget champion Ray Bull, USAC and Sprint Bandits TNT champion Levi Jones, USAC Midget champion Josh Wise, Kraig Kinser, Kevin Swindell, Jason Leffler and Late Model aces Tim McCreadie, Bart Hartman and Steve Francis.
Entries represent numerous racing disciplines, including NASCAR, winged and non-wing Sprint Cars, Midgets, Late Models and NHRA drag racing among others.
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.
Tickets: Tickets for the 20th Anniversary of the O’Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals were depleted in mid-October. Pit passes are available. Four-night pit pass vouchers are available by contacting the O’Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals ticket office at 918-838-3777.
O’Reilly Chili Bowl on the Net: All four 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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