This message was edited on
January 22, 2010 at
05:33:28 PM by Gary Thomas
Photo by http://www.johnsracingphotos.com
Matt Streeter scores top-10 finish on preliminary night and makes it to B-main during Saturday's finale at 24th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals
By Gary Thomas
Tulsa, Oklahoma – January 22, 2010…Traveling to Tulsa, Oklahoma to compete in the prestigious Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals former Bay Cities Racing Association champion Matt Streeter and the MSR No. 14jr team proceeded to put together a solid overall performance that was highlighted by an eighth place finish during Tuesday's opening preliminary night.
Streeter was just one of a number of California drivers who invaded the Tulsa QuickTrip Center for the Chili Bowl and the veteran driver was pleased with the effort as it marked his career best outing at the event, which saw a total of 256 entrants in competition throughout the week. "It felt real good to come out and get a top-10 on our prelim night and we couldn't be happier with that because this is the toughest event we go to each year," Streeter said. "I really have to thank all of our sponsors and supporters because without them we wouldn't be able to come back here so I definitely appreciate them all."
Drivers were split into four qualifying nights and it didn't take Streeter long to hit the track as he was part of Tuesday's opening Warren Cat Qualifier. Competing in the sixth of eight heat races he showed speed right from the get-go as he charged to the lead and never looked back to bring home the victory over fellow Golden State drivers Keith Bloom Jr., Colby Copeland and Shannon McQueen in what was a very "California flavored" heat.
After heats the field was then re-aligned into C-mains and qualifier races and with Streeter's point total from the heat races he found himself in the opening A-qualifier, where he would tally a third place result behind pavement ace Billy Wease and eventual main event winner Zach Daum. Following the qualifiers the Galt, CA driver had earned the 12th most points up till that part of the night and it gave the Delta Demolition, S&S Automotive, T&T Trucking No. 14jr an outside row six starting spot in the feature.
For much of the night during Tuesday's preliminary the track surface had remained extremely quick and narrow, which made passing opportunities tough to come by. However, by main event time it had widened out and slicked-off to create some fantastic side-by-side racing all over the one-fifth mile clay oval for the 25-lap contest. Starting from 12th Streeter battled right around the 10th spot for much of the feature and at the checkered flag brought the Olmstead Auto Racing, Spike/S&S Chevy home with an eighth place finish. "The track got really good for the main event so that made it a lot of fun and hopefully the fans got a good show," Streeter commented.
After three more preliminary nights took to the QuickTrip Center everyone returned for Saturday's Rockstar Energy Drink Championship Night, which kicked off with a K-main at noon local time. Streeter though had earned enough points to put the No. 14jr special into the evening's first of two 20-lap B-mains that were as star studded as you'll find anywhere in the country.
With only the top-six transferring into the A-main the 27-year-old driver had his work cut out for him and gave it a strong shot, but at the conclusion of the event scored a 15th place finish to put a cap on his Chili Bowl outing. Showing just how tough the B-main's were the top-six drivers transferring out of Streeter's race were Kasey Kahne, Shane Cottle, Brad Sweet, Chad Boat, Brad Loyett and Brent Beauchamp. "We would have liked to get into the A-main for the first time, but there's no shame in where we finished because that was a pretty stacked B-main and you always see that at this event," said Streeter. "Running this good has given me some confidence going into next year and hopefully when we come back to Tulsa we can get into that A-main next season."
For fans that were unable to attend the 24th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals SPEED will be broadcasting a two-hour special of the event on Saturday night February 13 at 6pm west coast time.
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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