Chili Bowl on TV Update

According to the Chili Bowl offices, April 14, 2012 is the date the Chili Bowl will show on your local CBS station (not CBS Sports). The time has not been released as of yet. 

McQueen Racing Opens 2012 With Solid Chili Bowl Performance

 By Robert Haugh

Competing against the World’s best racers over five days January 10 through 14, with approximately 260 racers competing, including reigning and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and two-time Chili Bowl winner Tony Stewart, reigning NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Sprint Car icon and five-time Chili Bowl winner Sammy Swindell, reigning two-time champion Kevin Swindell and a plethora of the most talented racers from an array of racing backgrounds and disciplines, McQueen Racing didn’t capture the coveted Golden Driller Trophy at the 26^th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, but they were not alone of the 259 entries.

Having completed a stellar 2011 racing season, McQueen Racing opened the 2012 racing season with a strong, efficient, performance at the 26^th Annual Lucas Tulsa, Oklahoma at the QuikTrip Center’s 1/5-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway, January 10-14.

With all three of the team’s entries making it into the upper half of Saturday’s finale, which began with a K-Main, double J-Mains up through Double B-Mains, leading into the 55-lap A-Main, McQueen Racing didn’t take a Golden Driller home, but performed admirably against the best of the best on one of the trickiest tracks to race on.

For the first-time, McQueen Racing’s Chili Bowl three-car team was an all-female roster, consisting of Bakersfield, California’s Shannon McQueen, Guthrie, Oklahoma’s Michelle Decker and Lindsay, Oklahoma’s Harli White, a 16-year-old Chili Bowl rookie.

White, a Chili Bowl rookie, chauffeured the McQueen Racing #7W American Waste Control, Waurika Truck & Tire, Quantum Consulting, K&N Filters, Eibach Springs Spike/Esslinger in Wednesday’s River Spirit Casino preliminary qualifying night.

After starting second in her Heat, alongside NASCAR and Chili Bowl veteran Jason Leffler in her Heat, Harli was beat to the first corner, following Leffler closely to finish second. In her A-Qualifier she was roughed up, falling backwards, ending up in the B-Main. With little passing opportunities on a difficult track, Harli missed transferring to the A-Main.

Decker, piloting the Shannon McQueen #7D Waurika Truck & Tire, Carter Custom Finishes, Starrship Trucking, Simpson Race Products, Quantum Consulting Spike/Esslinger competed on Thursday’s Suburban Chevrolet preliminary qualifying night.

Decker started last in her Heat race due to drawing a 79 pill. Struggling to find grip on a poor track, Decker was marred in inexperienced traffic in the B-Main, missing the transfer to the A-Main.

McQueen, the team owner, manned the Shannon McQueen #7 Murf Dogg Racing, R.C. 4 Less, American Waste Control, Simpson Race Products, K&N Filters Spike/Esslinger on Friday’s Vacuworx International preliminary qualifying night.

Keeping the streak of high pill draws, McQueen drew the fourth highest pill. With a narrow, fast track, McQueen jumped from seventh to fifth on the opening lap and was setting up to pass for fourth when the fourth place car spun in front of her, dropping McQueen to the rear with only two laps remaining in the Heat. McQueen fought back to claim sixth in the heat.

One spot shy of automatically qualifying for the A-Qualifier races, McQueen had to race in the C-Main, where she ran third, transferring to the B-Main, where she stormed from 18^th to sixth, missing the A-Main transfer by just two spots.

After competing in qualifying night action, all three Lady racers competed in Saturday’s Chili Bowl final night, which started with a K-Main.

Though driving with a heavy heart, Harli showed poise, remaining confident and running with the best, with most everyone at the Chili Bowl was mourning the loss of popular Oklahoma racer and close friend of the White family Donnie Ray Crawford, who lost his life in a tragic non-racing incident on Saturday morning.

Originally getting a solid start in G-Main 1, running from 12^th to sixth, Harli fell backwards halfway through the feature and did not transfer to F-Main 1.

Decker started on the pole, and despite strong challenges, led every lap of G-Main 2, hugging the bottom and transferring to F-Main 2 with the win in G-Main 2. Unfortunately, Decker got upside down on lap 2 in F-Main 2, as another car moved from the bottom swiftly, causing her to flip on the front stretch as she had nowhere to go.

McQueen quickly moved from her eighth starting spot E-Main 2 to a potential transfer position in fourth before getting shuffled back to eighth while fighting a rapidly changing track, missing the transfer by only two positions.

McQueen Racing sponsors include K&N Filters, Lucas Oil Products, Simpson Race Products, Eibach Springs, American Fabrication of Bakersfield, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Ruth Engineering, West Evans Motorsports, Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen and JE Piston Company.

Additional 2012 Chili Bowl Sponsors include:  American Waste Control, MurfDogg Racing/Motorworks, R/C 4 Less, Carter Custom Finishes, Quantum Consulting, Waurika Truck and Tires, Starrship Trucking, Dale’s Electric and Mud-X.

Full McQueen Racing 2012 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Saturday results:

E Main 2: 1. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 2. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #73S Alex Sewell, Broken Arrow, OK; 4. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL: 5. #2B Tyler Reddick, Coming, CA; 6. #3F Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 7. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 8. #7 Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 9. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 10. #88 Brendan Bright, Collegeville, PA; 11. #24E Rick Eckert, York, PA; 12. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 13. #9U Doug McCune, Colleyville, TX; 14. #21M Billy Lawhead, El Reno, OK; 15. #91X Kyle Steffens, St. Charles, MO; 16. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA

F Main 2: 1. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #2B Tyler Reddick, Corning, CA; 3. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 4. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 5. #51X Matt Lundy, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 7. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 8. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 9. #14R Troy DeCaire, Tampa, FL; 10. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 11. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 12. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 13. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 14. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 15. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; DNS -- #33X Jason Lair, Del City, OK

G Main 2: 1. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 2. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 3. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 4. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 5. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX; 7. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 8. #0G Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 9. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, Ontario; 10. #12S Bryan Severs, Collison, IL; 11. #27C Kip Hughes, Enid, Ok; 12. #9M Cory Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 13. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO; 14. #8B Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 15. #89JR Ron Kuhn, Independence, MO; DNS - #8K Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK

G Main 1: 1. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 2. #94 Darren Kingston, Vandalia, IL; 3. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 4. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 5. #8R Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX; 6. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 7. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 8. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 9. #7W Harli White, Lindsay, OK; 10. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, CA; 11. #23F Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, IA; 12. #49 Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 13. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ; 14. #77B Mike Boesel, Bennett, CO; 15. #25 Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; DNS - #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK

McQueen Racing will continue their 2012 season on March 23-24 in USAC-Western States Midget action at the ¼-mile Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA as part of the Mini Gold Cup featuring the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. 

Visit www.shannonmcqueen.com for more information. The 2012 McQueen Racing schedule will be posted soon.

Over 80 West Coasters Compete at the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

Editor's Note: I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Donnie Ray Crawford. Donnie Ray, you will forever be missed, and will always be a Hero and an angel watching over the erst of your racing family. God Speed Donnie Ray!

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By Robert Haugh

With nearly 260 total competitors, including the best Midget racers from throughout the U.S. and beyond, with a myriad of racing stars from an array of series including three-time and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart and reigning NASCAR Nationwide series champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., it’s not surprising over 80 drivers and teams from the West Coast made the cross-country trek, all gunning at capturing the coveted Golden Driller trophy awarded on Saturday, January 14^th in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the 26^th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.

An array of West Coast Midget champions, feature winners, veterans, young guns and car owners, including champions and winners representing USAC-Western States, BCRA, WMRA, RMMRA, NWWT and NOMA Midgets, all competing over five nights of racing.

Though representing less than one-third of the total entries, West Coasters compiled 11 of the 24 total A-Main starters, including seven of the Top 10 positions. Despite the large West Coast representation, no one was able to fend off Tennessee’s father-and-son duo Kevin and Sammy Swindell. Kevin, the reigning two-time champion, became the first back-to-back-to-back winner in the history of the race, which is often dubbed the Super Bowl of Midget racing. Kevin’s father Sammy, a five-time Chili Bowl winner came home second.

Of the West Coast entries, Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA) garnered a podium finish, coming home third in Keith Kunz Motorsports #67 Bullet/Speedway Toyota, with Danny Stratton (Riverside, CA) aboard Steve and Diana Hampton’s #77S Twister/Esslinger taking fourth, West Coast transplant Bryan Clauson (currently residing in Noblesville, IN) in the CTR-Curb #39C NOS Energy Drink-Curb Records Spike/Esslinger claiming fifth, Grass Valley, CA native Brad Sweet taking sixth in the Kasey Kahne Racing #49X Sage Fruit-Great Clips Spike/Speedway Toyota, with two-time Chili Bowl winner (2002, 2004) and 2011 USAC-Western States Midget and VRA Midget champion Cory Kruseman of Ventura, CA taking seventh aboard the Kruseman Motorsports #21k Lucas Oil Spike/Esslinger. Multiple-time open wheel champion Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tuscon, AZ) was the hard charger, moving from 23^rd to 8^th after transferring from a B-Main in Danny Lendich’s #3NZ Wendy’s Spike/Esslinger.

Darren Hagen (Riverside, CA) claimed 12^th in the #3 RFMS Racing Spike/Esslinger after transferring from B-Main 2. Multiple-time Silver Crown and Sprint Car champion Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA) finished 19^th after bringing out a caution after spinning on Lap 14 in the Buster & Ziggy Ent. #2 Bullet/Esslinger. Casey Shuman (Rattlesnake Bend, AZ) claimed 17^th in Hans Lein’s #2H Lein Acres-Midstate Equipment-Blue River Ag Spike/Esslinger.

2011 USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car champion Richard VanderWeerd (Visalia, CA) claimed the 2012 Chili Bowl Rookie-of-the-Year award in Mike Sala’s #19W Spike/Sala Chevy after placing 20^th in the A-Main after transferring by winning B-Main 1.

Rico Abreu (Rutherford, CA), who transferred by winning B-Main 2 finished 21^st in the Keith Kunz Motorsports #67K Bullet/Toyota.

Other West Coast racers having made it to the twin B-Mains included Brian Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) in the Bill Camarillo #22 Spike/Fontana, Josh Ford (Oxnard, CA) in Keith Ford’s #73 Spike/Bob Wirth, New Zealand’s Shaun Insley in Andy Bondio’s #47 Bondio/Barnes Chevy and Ronnie Gardner (Corona, CA) in the #71S Keith Ford Spike/Esslinger.

West Coast racers winning races in the alphabet soup at the QuikTrip Center’s 1/5-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway were: Mike Spencer (Temecula, CA), J-Main 2; Michelle Decker (Guthrie, OK in McQueen Racign entry) G-Main 2; Brad Mosen (Auckland, New Zealand, Andy Bondio entry) D-Main 1; Richard VanderWeerd, B-Main 1 and Rico Abreu, B-Main 2.

West Coast racers impressing fans by running the alphabet soup included 2009 USAC-Western States Midget champion Alex Schutte (Rohnert Park, CA) who began his alphabet soup run in H-Main 2 and transferred to the back of G-Main 2, F-Main 2 and E-Main 2 before his run came to an end in Calvin Martens’ #28 Woodworks Unlimited-Ryno Mfg.-Jim’s Towing-Aircraft Electrical Components-Ontario West TCR/Mopar.

Chili Bowl rookie Jake Swanson, of Anaheim, CA, who’s Chili Bowl appearance was nearly halted just a month before the event, rallied from a disappointing Friday qualifying night and crash that saw him suffer a concussion to an alphabet soup run that saw him start in the K-Main and advance first to J-Main 1 then to I-Main 1 where he came one spot shy of transferring to H-Main 1 in the Swanson Motorsports #05H Goodwine Glass-Lucas Oil-Crowe Performance-PHB Indy-Orange County Tank Testing Stealth/Honda.

The 50-lap A-Main was extended to 55 laps as a tribute to popular Broken Arrow, Oklahoma racer Donnie Ray Crawford who lost his life early Saturday morning in a tragic accident away from the track. The capacity crowd of 17,000+ was in a pall Saturday, mourning the loss of the extremely popular and talented racer. As many know, Donnie Ray Crawford was the hero who rescued Harli White from her burning race car several years ago. Harli was driving one three McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger entries. In honor of Crawford, Harli ran Crawford’s nameplate on the McQueen Racing #7W on Saturday evening. 

Local news story on the tragic event: http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Crawford-family-and-friends-react-to-local-racers/TE2sqj6TAkqwggvJF_NfxQ.cspx

West Coast Results from the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals:

A Main: 3. Lyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 4. Danny Stratton, Riverside, CA; 5. Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN (CA transplant); 6. Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 7. Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 8. Jerry Coons, Jr., Phoenix, AZ; 12. Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 17. Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ; 19. Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 20. Richard VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 21. Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA

B Main 1: 1. VanderWeerd; 5. Kaeding; 6. Coons Jr.; 10. Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 12. Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 16. Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA

B Main 2: 1. Abreu; 2. Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ; 4. Hagen; 8. Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 9. Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 15. Shaun Insley (Andy Bondo entry) Royal Oak, NZ; 16. R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 17. Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA

C Main 1: 3. Chad Boat; 7. #35 Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 10. #1J JJ Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 14. #8V Jace VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 15. #88H Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 18. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 19. #05R Ryan Pace, Brownsburg

C Main 2: 2. R.J. Johnson; 3. Gary Taylor; 4. Levi Roberts; 8. Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA: 10. Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 15. Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 17. Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 19. Markus Niemela, Rauma, Finland

D Main 1: 1. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 2. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 3. #88H Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 6. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 16. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA

D Main 2: 2. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 4. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 8. #2T Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 10. #15P David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 16. #86E Chris Ennis, San Diego, CA

E Main 1: 11. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN

E Main 2: 5. #2B Tyler Reddick, Coming, CA; 8. #7 Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 9. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 16. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA

F Main 1: 4. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN; 15. #11B Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA

F Main 2: 2. #2B Tyler Reddick, Corning, CA; 4. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 5. #51X Matt Lundy, Phoenix, AZ; 10. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 11. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 13. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 14. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 15. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK

G Main 1: 7. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 8. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 9. #7W Harli White, Lindsay, OK; 10. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, CA; 13. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ; 14. #77B Mike Boesel, Bennett, CO

G Main 2: 1. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 2. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 3. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 8. #0G Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 11. #27C Kip Hughes, Enid, Ok; 14. #8B Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ

H Main 1: 2. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, CA; 3. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 4. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 5. #82W Robbie Whitchurch, Chico, CA; 6. #21V Jimmy Voitel, Covina, CA; 11. #17W Cole Wood, Auburn, CA; 12. #9D Sean Dodenhoff, Bakersfield, CA;

H Main 2: 3. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 9. #73F Greg Edenholm, Malibu, CA; 14. #44S Clint Schubert, Calhan, CO

I Main 1: 4. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 5. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; 12. #2AZ Rick Shuman, Gilbert, AZ; DNS - #15K Connor Kassik, Lake Havasu, AZ

I Main 2: 4. #73F Greg Edenholm, Malibu, CA; 6. #9H Matt Hummel, San Jose, CA; 7. #9B Harris Brooks, Houston, TX;, IL; 9. #51S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA

J Main 1: 2. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 4. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; 9. #55 Kyle Smith, Moorpark, CA; 11. #8 Mike Lapp, Goodyear, AZ; 12. #27 Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, CA; DNS #21JR Kevin Michnowicz, Lomita, CA

J Main 2: 1. #51S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Laveen, AZ; 6. #88W Dustin Weland, Parker, CO; 7. #77D Dalten Gabbard, Peoria, AZ; 9. #67X Britton Bock, Angwin, CA; 13. #35W Rick Wright, Ponca City, OK

K Main: 5. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; 10. #71P Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; 12. #83X Bob Lawlor, San Carlos, CA; DNS -- #21AZ Mike Visser, Cottonwood, AZ; #11XC Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO; #6Y Vinny Villeggiante, Gresham, OR

Over 80 West Coast Entries Hoping to Bring Coveted Golden Driller Trophy Home

By Robert Haugh

Attracting the best Midget racers from throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as a myriad of racing stars from an array of series including three-time and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart and reigning NASCAR Nationwide series champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., over 80 drivers and teams from the West Coast will be gunning at capturing the coveted Golden Driller trophy awarded on Saturday, January 14^th in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

With 260-plus entries, it’s no wonder that the 26^th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Super Bowl of Midget racing.

An array of West Coast Midget champions, feature winners, veterans, young guns and car owners, many representing the Bay Cities Racing Association, USAC-Western States Midgets, Washington Midget Racing Association, Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association, Northwest Wingless Tour and NOMA Midgets are entered.

After four preliminary qualifying nights (Tuesday through Friday), Saturday’s lineups are based on points acquired in preliminary night’s race action.

Of the West Coast entries, Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA) in Keith Kunz Motorsports #67 Bullet/Speedway Toyota, Danny Stratton (Riverside, CA) aboard Steve and Diana Hampton’s #77S Twister/Esslinger, 2011 USAC-Western States and VRA Midget champion Cory Kruseman of Ventura, CA (two-time Chili Bowl champion, 2004, 2000) aboard the Kruseman Motorsports #21k Lucas Oil Spike/Esslinger, West Coast transplant Bryan Clauson (currently residing in Noblesville, IN) in the CTR-Curb #39C NOS Energy Drink-Curb Records-Keizer Wheels Spike/Esslinger and Grass Valley, CA native Brad Sweet in the Kasey Kahne Racing #49X Sage Fruit-Great Clips Spike/Speedway Toyota are locked into tonight’s 50-lap A-Main by virtue of placing in the Top 3 in preliminary night action. Larson is staged to start from the outside pole, Kruseman in fourth, Stratton in fifth and Sweet in ninth.

Besides these five who are already locked into tonight’s finale, ten West Coasters are slated to start n twin B-Mains, including 2011 USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car champion Richard VanderWeerd (Visalia, CA) in Mike Sala’s #19W Spike/Sala Chevy, multiple-time open wheel champion Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tuscon, AZ) in Danny Lendich’s #3NZ Spike/Esslinger, multiple-time Silver Crown and Sprint Car champion Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA) in the Buster & Ziggy Ent. #2, Brian Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) in the Bill Camarillo #22 Spike/Fontana, Josh Ford (Oxnard, CA) in Keith Ford’s #73 Spike/Bob Wirth, Casey Shuman (Rattlesnake Bend, AZ) in the #2h, Rico Abreu (Rutherford, CA) in the Keith Kunz Motorsports #67K Bullet/Speedway Toyota, New Zealand’s Shaun Insley in Andy Bondio’s #47 Bondio/Barnes, Darren Hagen (Riverside, CA) in the #3 RFMS Racing Spike/Esslinger and Ronnie Gardner (Corona, CA) in the #71S Keith Ford Spike/Esslinger.

Others running the alphabet soup include two-time A-main qualifier Shane Golobic (Fremont) aboard Doug Bock’s #26 Get Som Sports-Bicycles Inc. (Ft. Worth, TX)-Country Builders-Piners Welding Supply & Driveline Service Spike/Esslinger, 2010 BCRA champion and 2011 USAC-Western States Car owner champion David Prickett (Fresno, CA) piloting the Neverlift Motorsports #15p Manitowoc-Prickett’s Distributing-Crysalli-Fruitful Juice Spike/Van Dyne Chevy, 2011 BCRA Dirt Midget champion Shannon McQueen (Tehachapi, CA) in the McQueen Racing #7 Murf Dogg Racing-R.C. 4 Less-American Waste Control-Simpson Race Products-K&N Filters Spike/Esslinger, 2007 BCRA champion Justin Grant (Ione, CA) chauffeuring Larry Gardner’s #35 Stealth/Frampton Gaerte, 7-time BCRA champion “Ageless Wonder” Floyd Alvis (San Carlos, CA) manning his Champion Automotive #18 Stealth/Wesmar, 2004 BCRA champion and multi-time feature winner Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, CA) wheeling Mark Bush’s #2T EF-65 Hand Cleaner Spike/Esslinger, former Chili Bowl winner and former USAC/CRA champion Damion Gardner (Concord, CA) in the Loyet Motorsports #05g Spike/Esslinger, 1999 BCRA champion Matt Streeter (Galt, CA) in his #14jr S&S Automotive-T&T Trucking-ART Enterprises Spike/S&S Chevy, USAC/CRA champion Mike Spencer (Temecula, CA) in the Proflyer Enterprises #51s Spike/Proflyer, Torrance, CA’s P.J. Jones in the #98k Spike/Esslinger and a plethora of other West Coast entries, all 80 of them!

Full Saturday WEST COAST CHILI BOWL Starting Positions

A Main (50 Laps):

39 Kevin Swindell (Germantown, TN) – 67 Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA)
1 Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN) – 21k Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA)
77s Danny Stratton (Riverside, CA) – 71xx Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN)
56 Levi Jones (Olney, IL) – 39i Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Olive Branch, MS)
49x Brad Sweet (Grass Valley, CA) – 14 Tony Stewart (Columbus, IN)
39c Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN) – 05p Michael Pickens (Auckland, NZ)
B Main 1 Transfer 1 – B Main 2 Transfer 1
B Main 1 Transfer 2 – B Main 2 Transfer 2
B Main 1 Transfer 3 – B Main 2 Transfer 3
B Main 1 Transfer 4 – B Main 2 Transfer 4
B Main 1 Transfer 5 – B Main 2 Transfer 5
B Main 1 Transfer 6 – B Main 2 Transfer 6

B Mains (20 Laps – Top 6 Transfer to A Main)

B Main 1:
19s Richard Vander Weerd (Visalia, CA) – 11T Tyler Edwards (Salina, OK)
7m Kevin Ramey (Ft. Worth, TX) – 37 Bubba Altig (Mechanicsburg, IL)
24 Tracy Hines (Wilkinson, IN) – 7ca Caleb Armstrong (New Castle, IN)
8L Matt Ward (Glenpool, OK) – 63 Nick Knepper (Belleville, IL)
15 Tim Siner (Dupo, IL) – 77 Alex Bright (Collegeville, PA)
3nz Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ) – 2 Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA)
22 Brian Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) – 73 Josh Ford (Oxnard, CA)
C Main 1 Transfer 1 – C Main 1 Transfer 2
C Main 1 Transfer 3 – C Main 1 Transfer 4
C Main 1 Transfer 5 – C Main 1 Transfer 6

B Main 2:
11 Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) – 71b Jac Haudenschild (Wooster, OH)
37b Brady Short (Bedford, IN) – 5d Zach Daum (Pocahontas, IL)
2h Casey Shuman (Rattlesnake Bend, AZ) – 21 Daryn Pittman (Owasso, OK)
67k Rico Abreu (Rutherford, CA) – 47x Shaun Insley (Royal Oak, NZ)
11a Andrew Felker (Carl Junction, MO) – 0 Ryan Smith Kunkletown, PA)
3aj A.J. Fike (Galesburg, IL) – 17b Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN)
3 Darren Hagen (Riverside, CA) – 71s Ronnie Gardner (Corona, CA)
C Main 2 Transfer 1 – C Main 2 Transfer 2
C Main 2 Transfer 3 – C Main 2 Transfer 4
C Main 2 Transfer 5 – C Main 2 Transfer 6

C Mains (15 Laps – Top 6 Transfer to Corresponding B Main)

C Main 1:
12b Chad Boat (Phoenix, AZ) – 05s Jon Stanbrough (Avon, IN)
36 Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK) – 5 Dave Darland (Lincoln, IN)
6a David Gough (Machesney Park, IL) – 78 Nick Wean (Phillipsburg, NJ)
35 Justin Grant (Ione, CA) – 4 Bobby East (Brownsburg, IN)
19 Patrick Stasa (Kingman, KS) – 4g Coleman Gulick (Binghamton, NY)
05r Ryan Pace (Brownsburg, IN) – 67z Joey Saldana (Brownsburg, IN)
25b Steve Buckwalter (Royersford, PA) – 8v Jace Vander Weerd (Visalia, CA)
D Main 1 Transfer 1 – D Main 1 Transfer 2
D Main 1 Transfer 3 – D Main 1 Transfer 4
D Main 1 Transfer 5 – D Main 1 Transfer 6

C Main 2:
51J R.J. Johnson (Phoenix, AZ) – 35s Hunter Schuerenberg (Sikeston, MO)
35m Matt Sherrell (Owasso, OK) – 05T Gary Taylor (Snohomish, WA)
27s Andy Shouse (Oklahoma City, OK) – 9 Levi Roberts (Broomfield, CO)
44 Don Droud, Jr. (Lincoln, NE) – 91k Dereck King (Goreville, IL)
11c Chett Gehrke (Broken Arrow, OK) – 5h Mike Hess (Springfield, IL)
05g Damion Gardner (Concord, CA) – 71 Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA)
16 Jimmy Light (Erie, PA) – 81 Markus Niemela (Rauma, Finland)
D Main 2 Transfer 1 – D Main 2 Transfer 2
D Main 2 Transfer 3 – D Main 2 Transfer 4
D Main 2 Transfer 5 – D Main 2 Transfer 6

D Mains (15 Laps – Top 6 Transfer to Corresponding C Main)

D Main 1:
98k P.J. Jones (Torrance, CA) – 11bx Brett Anderson (Belleville, IL)
88h Johnathon Henry (Stockton, CA) – 47 Brad Mosen (Auckland, NZ)
17r Mario Clouser (Auburn, IL) – 21b Christopher Bell (Norman, OK)
31 David Budres (Beloit, WI) – 57b Bill Balog (Brookfield, WI)
1J J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ) – 14jr Matt Streeter (Galt, CA)
4b Ronnie Burke, Jr. (League City, TX) – 91b Kevin Bayer (Bixby, OK)
98 J.C. Bland (Springfield, IL) – 1w George White (Waco, TX)
E Main 1 Transfer 1 – E Main 1 Transfer 2
E Main 1 Transfer 3 – E Main 1 Transfer 4

D Main 2:
6r Jody Rosenboom (Rock Rapids, IA) – 71k David Gravel (Watertown, CT)
26 Shane Golobic (Fremont, CA) – 15p David Prickett (Fresno, CA)
10w George White (Ft. Worth, TX) – 43 Brent Beauchamp (Indianapolis, IN)
72 Ryan Bernal (Hollister, CA) – 19x Billy Wease (Noblesville, IN)
23c Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, IN) – 85 Shane Hollingsworth (Lafayette, IN)
14c Shane Cockrum (Benton, IL) – 86e Chris Ennis (San Diego, CA)
2T Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, CA) – 05 Brad Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO)
E Main 2 Transfer 1 – E Main 2 Transfer 2
E Main 2 Transfer 3 – E Main 2 Transfer 4

E Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding D Main)

E Main 1:
F Main 1 Transfer 1 – F Main 1 Transfer 2
F Main 1 Transfer 3 – F Main 1 Transfer 4

E Main 2:
11w Chris Windom (Canton, IL) – 88 Brenden Bright (Collegeville, PA)
3F Tony Elliott (Warsaw, IN) – 7da Dalton Armstrong (New Castle, IN)
91x Kyle Steffens (St. Charles, MO) – 73s Alex Sewell (Broken Arrow, OK)
94x Kevin Olson (Machesney Park, IL) – 7 Shannon McQueen (Tehachapi, CA)
21m Billy Lawhead (Tulsa, OK) – 9u Doug McCune (Colleyville, TX)
51 Brent Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) – 24e Rick Eckert (York, PA)
F Main 2 Transfer 1 – F Main 2 Transfer 2
F Main 2 Transfer 3 – F Main 2 Transfer 4

F Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding E Main)

F Main 1:
93 Dustin Morgan (Broken Arrow, OK) – 17x Davey Heskin (St. Michael, MN)
71kt Kevin Thomas, Jr. (Cullman, AL) – 191 Chase Barber (Brownsburg, IN)
11b Travis Berryhill (American Canyon, CA) – 40 Andy Huston (Roseville, IL)
75 Wes McIntyre (McCordsville, IN) – 32 Danny Jennings (Norman, OK)
7J Shawn Jackson (Bear, DE) – 10 Will Pierce (Lees Summit, MO)
35T Tyler Robbins (Collinsville, IL) – 33 Davey Ray (Indianapolis, IN)
G Main 1 Transfer 1 – G Main 1 Transfer 2
G Main 1 Transfer 3 – G Main 1 Transfer 4

F Main 2:
51x Matt Lundy (Phoenix, AZ) – 33x Jason Lair (Del City, OK)
2b Tyler Reddick (Corning, CA) – 15b Danny Burke (Houston, TX)
00 Pete Davis (Pleasanton, CA) – 37x Cameron Hagin (Broken Arrow, OK)
15d Andrew Deal (Caney, KS) – 11h Garrett Hood (Concordia, KS)
1xs Donovan Peterson (Brookings, SD) – 18 Floyd Alvis (San Carlos, CA)
58 Cole Peard (Quincy, CA) – 14r Troy DeCaire (Tampa, FL)
G Main 2 Transfer 1 – G Main 2 Transfer 2
G Main 2 Transfer 3 – G Main 2 Transfer 4

G Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding F Main)

G Main 1:
6x Chris Morgan (Topeka, KS) – 94 Darren Kingston (Vandalia, IL)
86c David Camfield, Jr. (Decatur, IL) – 49 Trevor Kobylarz (Birdsboro, PA)
38n Kyle Neal (Ewing, IL) – 96 Cody Brewer (Choctaw, OK)
12jr Josh Pelkey (Peoria, AZ) – 8r Bobby Ruffin (Crandall, TX)
25 Dylan Peterson (Sioux Falls, SD) – 23F Jesse Sobbing (Glenwood, IA)
7w Harli White (Lindsay, OK) – 77b Mike Boesel (Bennett, CO)
H Main 1 Transfer 1 – H Main 1 Transfer 2
H Main 1 Transfer 3 – H Main 1 Transfer 4

G Main 2:
7d Michelle Decker (Guthrie, OK) – 8b Bob Ream, Jr. (Glendale, AZ)
8k Donnie Ray Crawford (Broken Arrow, OK) – 89jr Ron Kuhn (Independence, MO)
9m Cory Mallo (Cheyenne, WY) – 49jr Bobby Michnowicz (Lomita, CA)
37T Chris Urish (Elkhart, IL) – 0b Glenn Styres (Ohsweken, ONT)
27c Kip Hughes (Enid, OK) – 6m Justin Mallo (Cheyenne, WY)
12s Bryan Severs (Collison, IL) – 0g Greg Bragg (Visalia, CA)
H Main 2 Transfer 1 – H Main 2 Transfer 2
H Main 2 Transfer 3 – H Main 2 Transfer 4

H Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding G Main)

H Main 1:
29s Tim Kent (Sapulpa, OK) – 15n T.J. Smith (Fresno, CA)
82w Robbie Whitchurch (Chico, CA) – 51b Ryan Blakeman (Jacksonville, IL)
14w Matt Westfall (Ludlow Falls, OH) – 9d Sean Dodenhoff (Bakersfield, CA)
21v Jimmy Voitel (Covina, CA) – 17w Cole Wood (Auburn, Ca)
22k Kyle Bellm (Nixa, MO) – 13 Ryan York (Racine, MN)
2x Tyler Millwood (Kingston, GA) – 20 Tadd Holliman (Beaver Lake, NE)
I Main 1 Transfer 1 – I Main 1 Transfer 2
I Main 1 Transfer 3 – I Main 1 Transfer 4

H Main 2:
2r A.J. Hopkins (Brownsburg, IN) – 12 Chris Gurley (Hebron, IN)
98g Gavin Galbraith (Washington, MO) – 28 Alex Schutte (Rohnert Park, CA)
8J Blake Hahn (Sapulpa, OK) – 7b Joe Boyles (Greenwood, MO)
19n Nick O’Neal (Wagoner, OK) – 25m Derrick Myers (Stonington, IL)
44s Clint Schubert (Calhan, CO) – 45x C.J. Johnson (Quinter, KS)
7jr J.D. Black (Grain Valley, MO) – 77x Joey Moughan (Springfield, IL)
I Main 2 Transfer 1 – I Main 2 Transfer 2
I Main 2 Transfer 3 – I Main 2 Transfer 4

I Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding H Main)

I Main 1:
31e Evan Sewell (Tulsa, OK) – 20x Jimmy Harris (Broken Arrow, OK)
83 Kurt Blackaby (Bentonville, AR) – 17 Michael Koontz (Bloomington, IN)
15k Connor Kassik (Lake Havasu, AZ) – 71x Sheldon Haudenschild (Wooster, OH)
7c Pat Schudy (Springfield, MO) – 22s Steve Stasa (Kingman, KS)
2az Rick Shuman (Gilbert, AZ) – 23 Tim Lynch (Columbus, IN)
59 Dex Eaton (Owasso, OK) – 11x Dustin Hapka (Grand Forks, ND)
J Main 1 Transfer 1 – J Main 1 Transfer 2
J Main 1 Transfer 3 – J Main 1 Transfer 4

I Main 2:
81b Ryan Beechler (McKinney, TX) – 9b Harris Brooks (Houston, TX)
41 Brandon Waelti (Sun Prairie, WI) – 86 Josh Most (Red Oak, IA)
12J Joe Walker (Harrisonville, MO) – 73F Greg Edenholm (Malibu, CA)
9h Matt Hummel (San Jose, CA) – 0x Johnny Murdock (Kaufman, TX)
94au Brad Cox (Gunnedah, AUS) – 17m Andee Beierle (Bismarck , ND)
7T Todd McVay (Lees Summit, MO) – 19d Steven Drevicki (Reading, PA)
J Main 2 Transfer 1 – J Main 2 Transfer 2
J Main 2 Transfer 3 – J Main 2 Transfer 4

J Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding I Main)

J Main 1:
85J Matt Johnson (Edmond, OK) – 33a Stephen Arnold (Seymour, IN)
4x Shawn Peterson (Irving, TX) – 29 Brandon Hahn (Tulsa, OK)
17k Tanner Berryhill (Bixby, OK) – 93r Jake Rosario (Guthrie, OK)
44x Danny Smith (Argenta, IL) – 12h Jerrod Hull (Sikeston, MO)
71d Paige Polyak (Tiffin, OH) – 55 Kyle Smith (Moorpark, CA)
8 Mike Lapp (Goodyear, AZ) – 27 Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, CA)
21jr Kevin Michnowicz (Lomita, CA) - K Main Transfer 1
K Main Transfer 3 – K Main Transfer 5

J Main 2:
91h Mike Hudson (Carterville, IL) – 67x Britton Bock (Angwin, CA)
57k Steve Schaberg (Glenwood, AR) – 87r Rich Camfield (Decatur, IL)
83h Jonathan Halford (Tulsa, OK) – 77d Dalten Gabbard (Peoria, AZ)
51s Mike Spencer (Temecula, CA) – 2g Terry Goodwin (Laveen, AZ)
W94 Waylon Weaver (Claremore, OK) – 88w Dustin Weland (Parker, CO)
88d Rusty Dukes (Fair Grove, MO) – 21x Nick Speidel (Muncie, IN)
35w Rick Wright, Jr. (Ponca City, OK) – K Main Transfer 2
K Main Transfer 4 – K Main Transfer 6

K Main (10 Laps – Finishers 1,3 and 5 Transfer to J Main 1; Finishers 2,4 and 6 Transfer to J Main 2)

K Main:
77g Mike Goodman (Tulsa, OK) – 11xs Tony Norem (Dassel, MN)
82 Eric Johnson (Rockford, IL) – 7rs Clint Boyles (Greenwood, MO)
69 Randy Boyer (Belleville, KS) – 91 Jeff Stasa (Kingman, KS)
05h Jake Swanson (Anaheim, CA) – 21az Mike Visser (Cottonwood, AZ)
2d Doug Day (Winder, GA) – 71p Tim Pyle (Gresham, OR)
87F Brian McClelland (Tulsa, OK) – 11cx Steve Newman (Steamboat Springs, CO)
3h Bubba Hunt (Tulsa, OK) – 50 Ned Fry (W. Burlington, IA)
83x Bob Lawlor (San Carlos, CA) – 6y Vinny Villeggiante (Gresham, OR)
2a Donald McIntosh (Dawsonville, GA)

 For more information on the 26^th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Midget Nationals, visit www.chilibowl.com

Chili Bowl West Coast Friday Preliminary Night Results

By Robert Haugh

Leading the Friday evening West Coast Chili Bowl qualifiers was 10-time A-Main starter and two-time Chili Bowl winner Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA) coming home with the victory aboard the Kruseman Motorsports  #21K Lucas Oil Spike/Esslinger. Kruseman joins Elk Grove’s Kyle Larson as West Coasters having won their prelim A-Mains – the other two wins are shared by the Swindell’s.

Two-time A-main starter Bryan Clauson (CA native, residing in Noblesville, IN) came home third in the CTR-BCI-Curb #39C NOS Energy Drink-Curb Records-Keizer Wheels Spike/Esslinger, while three-time A-main starter Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA) finished ninth in the Buster & Ziggy Ent. #2 Bullet/Esslinger, Ronnie Gardner (Corona, CA) cracked the Top 10 after transferring from B-Main action aboard Keith Ford’s #71S Everhart Construction-Esslinger-Reedy Electronics-JFM Spike/Esslinger, Levi Roberts (Broomfield, CO) finished 13^th in the Steve Lewis-Nine Racing #9 Majestic Metals-Performance Racing-K&N-Earle's-Eibach Spike/Esslinger, the “Flyin’ Finn” Markus Niemela (Rauma, LS [Finland])   17^th in Californian Steve Watts’ #81 Polly Gallimore-Lost Reality-Rock Star-SWE-Maxwell Industries Stealth/Sala Chevy and one-time A-Main starter Brad Mosen of New Zealand in Californian Andy Bondio’s #47 Barnes Oil Pumps-Advanced Suspension-Kenny's Components-Brown & Miller Bondio/Barnes came home 19^th.

2011 BCRA Midgets Dirt champion Shannon McQueen (Bakersfield, CA) was involved in multiple-car tangles in Heat 7, relegating her to C-Main 1, in which she placed third, transferring her to B-Main 1, where she missed transferring by two spots in sixth aboard her #7 Murf Dogg Racing-R.C. 4 Less-American Waste Control-Simpson Race Products-K&N Filters Spike/Esslinger.

USAC/CRA hardcharger and multiple-time Midget victor Gregg Bragg (Visalia, CA) in Dave LaMott’s #0G Hot Head Headers-Special Things Sheet Metal-Power Up Concrete Stealth/Esslinger and 2009 USAC-Western States Midget champion Alex Schutte (Rohnert Park, CA) in Calvin Martens’ #28 Woodworks Unlimited-Ryno Mfg-Jim's Towing-Aircraft Electrical Components-Ontario West TCR/Mopar both were running in transfer positions in B-Main 2, Schutte even stretching to a sizeable lead, however, both experienced mechanical gremlins, Bragg’s being a faulty electrical wire.

Additional Friday West Coast entries included Steve Stasa (West Hills, CA) in his #22S Eurick Law Center-Stasa Motorsports-SBR Motorsports TCR/Chevy V4, Mike Boesel (Bennett, CO) in his #77B Boesel Enterprises Inc.-Jordan Carstar Auto Body-Lost Creek Farms-High Plains Diner-Strasburg NAPA Stealth/Esslinger, Jake Swanson (Anaheim, CA) in the Swanson Motorsports #05H Goodwine Glass-Lucas Oil-Crower Performance-PHB Indy-Orange County Tank Testing Stealth/Honda,  Vinny Villeggiante (Gresham, OR) in his #6Y Pyle Family-Sam Villeggiante-Villeggiante Concrete Spike/Gaerte, Cole Wood (Auburn, CA) in Matt Wood’s #17W Elk Grove Ford-Spike Chassis-Keizer Wheels-Quick Lane Spike/Esslinger and Mike Visser (Cottonwood, AZ) in Dave Burkhart’s #21AZ Kaiser Alexco Aluminum-Black Hills Auto Electric-Ultimate Imports-Beadle Bug Patrol, Die Cast Cars Now Eagle/Gaerte.

Complete West Coast results from Friday’s Chili Bowl qualifying night:

Heat 1: 7. #22S Steve Stasa, West Hills, CA

Heat 2: 2. #21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 5. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA

Heat 3: 3. #81 Markus Niemela, Rauma, Finland; 5. #71S Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA

Heat 4: 5. #17W Cole Wood, Auburn, CA; 7. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA

Heat 5: 2. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 6. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN (via CA)

Heat 6: 3. #0G Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA, 5. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ (Bondio) 7. #21AZ Mike Visser, Cottonwood, AZ

Heat 7: 1. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO, 6. #7 Shannon McQueen, Bakersfield, CA; 7. #77B Mike Boesel, Bennett, CO

Heat 8: 2. #39C Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; DNS - #6Y Vinny Villeggiante, Gresham, OR

C Main 1: 2. Barber, 3. McQueen 4. Boesel,  DNS - Visser

C Main 2: 6. Stasa, DNS - Jake Swanson, Villeggiante

A Qualifier 1: 5. Niemela, 7. Schutte, 8. Mosen

A Qualifier 2: 1. Kaeding 2. Kruseman, 8. Ronnie Gardner

A Qualifier 3: 4. Roberts, 8. Wood, Auburn

A Qualifier 4: 1. Clauson, 5. Bragg

B Main 1: 2. Mosen, 4. Ronnie Gardner,  6. McQueen, 8. Barber, 13. Boesel

B Main 2: 13. Bragg, 14. Schutte, 15. Wood

“A” Main: 1. Kruseman, 3. Clauson, 9. Kaeding, 10. Ronnie Gardner,  13. Roberts, 17. Niemela,  19. Mosen

For full results and additional information on the 26^th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, visit www.chilibowl.com for the entire entry list.

West Coast Chili Bowl Friday Qualifiers

By Robert Haugh

Leading the Friday evening West Coast Chili Bowl qualifiers are 10-time A-Main starter and two-time Chili Bowl winner Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA) aboard the Kruseman Motorsports  #21K Lucas Oil Spike/Esslinger, three-time A-main starter Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA) in the Buster & Ziggy Ent. #2 Bullet/Esslinger, two-time A-main starter Bryan Clauson (CA native, residing in Noblesville, IN)  in the CTR-BCI-Curb #39C NOS Energy Drink-Curb Records-Keizer Wheels Spike/Esslinger, and one-time A-Main starter Brad Mosen of New Zealand in Californian Andy Bondio’s #47 Barnes Oil Pumps-Advanced Suspension-Kenny's Components-Brown & Miller Bondio/Barnes.

Past champions competing on Friday evening include 2011 BCRA Midgets Dirt champion Shannon McQueen (Bakersfield, CA) aboard her #7 Murf Dogg Racing-R.C. 4 Less-American Waste Control-Simpson Race Products-K&N Filters Spike/Esslinger.

Additional West Coast entries include USAC/CRA hardcharger and multiple-time Midget victor Gregg Bragg (Visalia, CA) in Dave LaMott’s #0G Hot Head Headers-Special Things Sheet Metal-Power Up Concrete Stealth/Esslinger, Levi Roberts (Broomfield, CO) in the Steve Lewis-Nine Racing #9 Majestic Metals-Performance Racing-K&N-Earle's-Eibach Spike/Esslinger, Ronnie Gardner (Corona, CA) aboard Keith Ford’s #71S Everhart Construction-Esslinger-Reedy Electronics-JFM Spike/Esslinger, Steve Stasa (West Hills, CA) in his own #22S Eurick Law Center-Stasa Motorsports-SBR Motorsports TCR/Chevy V4 and Mike Boesel (Bennett, CO) in his own #77B Boesel Enterprises Inc.-Jordan Carstar Auto Body-Lost Creek Farms-High Plains Diner-Strasburg NAPA Stealth/Esslinger.

Mike Sala has his #19W Stealth/Wirth Chevy entered with no driver announced as of yet.

Of the West Coast Friday qualifiers, only Clauson and Kruseman made the A-Main in 2011.

Friday evening West Coast rookie entries include Jake Swanson (Anaheim, CA) in the Swanson Motorsports #05H Goodwine Glass-Lucas Oil-Crower Performance-PHB Indy-Orange County Tank Testing Stealth/Honda, 2009 USAC-Western States Midget champion Alex Schutte (Rohnert Park, CA) in Calvin Martens’ #28 Woodworks Unlimited-Ryno Mfg-Jim's Towing-Aircraft Electrical Components-Ontario West TCR/Mopar, the “Flyin’ Finn” Markus Niemela (Rauma, LS [Finland]) in Californian Steve Watts’ #81 Polly Gallimore-Lost Reality-Rock Star-SWE-Maxwell Industries Stealth/Sala Chevy, Vinny Villeggiante (Gresham, OR) in his own #6Y Pyle Family-Sam Villeggiante-Villeggiante Concrete Spike/Gaerte, Cole Wood (Auburn, CA) in Matt Wood’s #17W Elk Grove Ford-Spike Chassis-Keizer Wheels-Quick Lane Spike/Esslinger, Mike Visser (Cottonwood, AZ) in Dave Burkhart’s #21AZ Kaiser Alexco Aluminum-Black Hills Auto Electric-Ultimate Imports-Beadle Bug Patrol, Die Cast Cars Now Eagle/Gaerte and Kyle Edwards (Fountain Valley, CA) in Gordon Edwards’ #39K Engineering Safehouse Security-MPD Racing-Fulkerson Fabricating Ellis/Van Dyne.

Visit www.chilibowl.com for the entire entry list.

West Coast Thursday Night Chili Bowl Qualifying Night Results

By Robert Haugh

Leading the heap of West Coast entries in Thursday’s Chili Bowl qualifying action was Brad Sweet (Grass Valley, CA) aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing #49X Sage Fruit-Great Clips Spike/Speedway Engines Toyota, who claimed third in the A-Main, locking himself into Saturday’s 50-lap Chili Bowl A-Main finale.

2011 USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car champion Richard VanderWeerd (Visalia, CA) turned heads, moving up from ninth to claim fourth in Mike Sala’s #19S VanderWeerd Construction-Battery Worx-Weldway Construction Spike/Sala Chevy.

Rico Abreu (Rutherford, CA), one of California’s young guns charged from 14^th to claim seventh aboard Keith Kunz Motorsports’ #67K Abreu Vineyards-Stadelhofer Construction-TRD-Toyota-Kwik Change Bullet/Speedway Toyota.

Brian Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) gave the West Coast another Top 10, claiming tenth in Bill Camarillo’s #22 Agromin-Unicor-Roy’s Towing-Waste Management-Open Range Spike/Fontana while Chad Boat (Phoenix, AZ) claimed 11^th aboard Robbie & Gaye Allen’s #12B ABC Body Shop-NAPA Martin Seniour-Billy Boat Exhaust-Electromotive Spike/Esslinger.

Several West Coast entries were involved in a late race incident, including Damion “The Demon” Gardner (Concord, CA) in 16th aboard Loyet Motorsports’ #05G Vacuworx International-Loyet Landscape Maintenance Inc.-Meramec Heights Collision Center-Butler Built Professional Seat Systems-Beaver Stripes & Graphics Spike/Esslinger, P.J. Jones (Torrance, CA) in 18th aboard the Kruseman Motorsports #98K American Racing Wheels-Araid by PG-BMRS Spike/Esslinger, Shane Golobic (Fremont, CA) in 19^th aboard Doug Bock’s #26 Get Som Sports-Bicycles Inc. (Ft. Worth, TX)-Country Builders-Piners Welding Supply & Driveline Service Spike/Esslinger, rookie contender Ryan Bernal (Hollister, CA) in 21st aboard Tom Ford’s #72 King Racing Products-A&A Precision Machine-Berry Pack-JFM-Pacific Coast Maint. JFM/Bob Wirth and J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ) in 22^nd aboard Triple Crown Racing’s #1J Ohsweken Speedway-Rockwell Security-Hoosier Twister/Toyota. Both Golobic and Garnder claimed Heat races, with Golobic also winning in A-Qualifier 1. Bernal picked up the victory in A-Qualifier 3.

Travis Berryhill (American Canyon, CA) battled handling issues in B-Main 2, dropping from a transfer spot after spinning, coming home ninth in the Manic Racing #11 Vallejo Coin Exchange-Redline Oil-Racing 2 Cure-Fairfield Inn & Suites-Advance Racing Stealth/Fontana. Pete Davis (Pleasanton, CA) was running one spot shy of a transfer when he was penalized to the back near the end of B-Main 1, where he placed ninth in his #00 Hot Head Header-Hot Products Engineering Design Co. Stealth/Esslinger.

2011 USAC-Western States Midgets Rookie-of-the-Year Connor Kassik (Lake Havasu, AZ) has a night he’d likely rather not remember aboard the Neverlift Motorsports #15K Crysalli-Manitowoc-Fruitful Juice-Prickett's Dist. TCR/Chevy. In Heat 2, Kassik was running up front when he was collected in an incident that cut a tire, causing him to DNF and be scored in 8^th. Starting in the rear of C-Main 2, Kassik was involved in two separate early incidents while moving up through the field. After racing itno to the Top 5, Kassik drove in hard, hitting the wall and flipping violently. After reviewing the damage, Kassik and the Neverlift Motorsports team decided that car was not repairable, ending Kassik’s 2011 Chili Bowl prematurely.

Other West Coast entries competing on Thursday night included Tim Pyle (Gresham, OR) in the Warren Pyle-Tim Pyle #71P Pacific Power Products-Perkins Pacific Spike/Brayton Chevrolet, Terry Goodwin (Laveen, AZ) in Misty Goodwin’s #2G American Building Science Services-Combs Construction Spike/Fontana, Oklahoma’s Michelle Decker in the Shannon McQueen Racing (Bakersfield, CA) #7D Waurika Truck & Tire-Carter Custom Finishes-Starrship Trucking-Simpson Race Products-Quantum Consulting Spike/Esslinger, Oklahoma’s Tanner Berryhill in the Kruseman Motorsports #17K Lucas Oil-Americash Advance-Schoenfeld Spike/Esslinger, Oklahoma’s Kip Hughes aboard Mountain View, CA car owner Cliff Blackwell’s #27C blackwellmotorsports.com-Pat McVicker Oilfield Services-Cowboy Pumping Unit Sales & Repair-MAC Tools-Danny Stratton-Nick's Pumping Inc. Stealth/Gaerte Chevrolet, Rick Shuman in Dave Burkhart’s #2AZ Kaiser Alexco Aluminum-Ultimate Imports-Beadle Bug Patrol-Die Cast Cars Now Cobra/Fontana and RMMRA Midget rookie-of-the-year Clint Schubert (Calhan, CO) in the George Schubert #44S Schubert's Sod-Dale's Paint-Cooper Head Road-Carquest Spike/Fontana.

Thursday’s Suburban Chevrolet Qualifier Results from the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals:
Heat 1: 3. #44S Clint Schubert, Calhan, CO


Heat 2: 1. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 2. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 4. #19S Richard VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 7. #2AZ Rick Shuman, Gilbert, AZ; 8. #15K Conner Kassik, Lake Havasu, AZ


Heat 3: 2. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 5. #11B Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 6. #27C Kip Hughes, Enid, OK


Heat 4: 1. #05G Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 4. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 7. #2G Terry Goodwin, Laveen, AZ


Heat 6: 2. #49X Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 7. #71P Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR


Heat 7: 3. #12B Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 5. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA


Heat 8: 2. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 3. #67K Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA; 7. #17K Tanner Berryhill


C Main 1: 7. Shuman; 10. Goodwin


C Main 2: 6. Kassik,  9. Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, DNS -- Pyle


A Qualifier 1: 1. Golobic, 3. J.J. Yeley,  6. Gardner, 7. Davis, 10. Schubert


A Qualifier 2: 2. Abreu, 4. P.J. Jones, 5. Camarillo


A Qualifier 3: 1. Bernal, 2. Richard VanderWeerd, 10. Hughes


A Qualifier 4: 2. Sweet, 4. Boat, 6. Travis Berryhill, 7. Decker


B Main 1: 9. Davis


B Main 2: 9. Travis Berryhill, 11. Decker, 13. Hughes, 16. Schubert


 “A” Main: 3. Sweet, 4. R. VanderWeerd, 7. Abreu, 10. Camarillo, 11 Boat, 16. Gardner, 18. P.J. Jones, 19. Golobic, 21. Bernal, 22. Yeley

For more information on the 26^th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, visit www.chilibowl.com.