Behind the Scenes – Making the Chili Bowl Journey Possible

Behind the Scenes – Making the Chili Bowl Journey Possible

By Robert Haugh

Chili Bowl rookie contender Jake Swanson of Anaheim, CA is one of the West Coast’s most popular and rising stars in Midget racing, piloting the Swanson Racing #05 Stealth/Honda.

Operating a low budget team, Swanson Racing had an agreement with another racing team to haul their car to the Chili Bowl to save on costs. However, the other racing team backed out due to school obligations.

Left to make the cross-country trek to Tulsa, Oklahoma on their own dime, cutting into their racing expenses (tires, fuel, spares, etc.), McQueen Racing’s Shannon McQueen offered to provide Swanson Racing with some used tires following Chili Bowl practice on Monday.

Further reaching out, Jake asked about pitting with McQueen Racing’s potent three-car stable at the Chili Bowl, with McQueen opening their arms, welcoming Jake and the Swanson team, to pit with them and join their team at the 27^th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

McQueen Racing Crew Chief Ty Hindman was looking for some tires for Jake to run on practice day and came across a fellow competitor that was willing to help Swanson on their expenses. Alex Frazin stepped up, pitching in with some tires, fuel and other useables. 

The power of the racing community poured out at this point, with Frazin offering (free of charge) his Class A motorhone for the trip, providing a place for the race team to stay, eliminating hotel expenses while at the Chili Bowl.

19-year-old Jake will be competing in his biggest race ever, competing against approximately 250 racers from across the country and around the World when he competes in the 26^th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on January 10-14 at the Tulsa Exposition Center’s QuickTrip Center. Swanson will be competing against such racing stars as reigning and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart and reigning NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. on the 1/5-mile dirt oval.

Jake has claimed championships and feature wins in Quarter Midgets, Go-Karts and Ford Focus Midgets, as well as claiming several Top 5 runs competing against top teams in the USAC-Western States Midget series the past two years, which saw Jake place in the Top 10 in 2011 and 2010.

Swanson Racing could not make their maiden Chili bowl voyage without their great sponsors Goodwine Glass, Lucas Oil, Crower Performance, PBH Indy, Orange County Tank Testing, One Day Signs, HPD, Oakley, K&N, McQueen Racing and Alex Frazin.

“I still can't believe we are going to make it to Chili Bowl 2012, so stoked. Thank you Lucas Oil, Crower Performance, Goodwine Glass, Orange County Tank, One Day Signs, HPD, PBH Indy, Oakley, and K&N for making this dream a reality. We wouldn't be going without you,” stated Jake Swanson.

For more information on Jake Swanson and Swanson Motorsports, visit http://www.jakeswanson.com/ and http://www.swansonmotorsports.com/

For more information on the Chili Bowl, visit www.chilibowl.com.