Midget auto racing turns it’s attention to the five-day 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals presented by General Tire starting on Tuesday January 10 at the River Spirit Expo Center.
Four past Badger Drivers Champions and four past car owner champions are among the record 358 drivers entered. Dan Boorse is the only driver to win the Badger Midget title and Chili Bowl in the same season, turning the feat in 1999. Boorse won the Chili Bowl again in 2003, but finished second in Badger points.
The four past Badger Owner Champions will be fielding a total of 14-cars led by the eight-car assault from Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports (2014 Champion). Two car efforts will come from Manic Racing (2015 Champion), RAB Racing (2013 Champion), and Wilke-PAK Motorsports(’82, ’87, ’88, 95, ’03 Champions).
Listed below is a breakdown by race night of drivers who competed with Badger during the 2016 season and past champions competing.
Tuesday Night
0A-Aaron Schuck : First Chili Bowl appearance for the third place Badger point finisher last season comes in the potent Buckwalter Racing Elite/Chevy.
3N-Mike Hess: The two-time Badger Champion hopes to improve upon his best Saturday Night Chili Bowl finish of seventh in 2010.
6A-Ray Seach: Driving for Manic Racing, Seach will use last year’s experience at the event for improved results.
29-Derek Childs: Sixth in Badger points last season, Childs will make his rookie appearance at the event.
Wednesday Night
11-Katlynn Leer: A great opportunity awaits the lady driver aboard the famed Wilke-PAK entry.
31-Travis Berryhill: This combination won the 2013 Badger season opener indoors at the Sandbox Arena.
45W-Brandon Waelti: Defending Badger Champion teams with CJ Johnson and will run a DRC Chassis powered by Esslinger.
70K-Kevin Olson: Five-time Badger Champion has ten Saturday Night starts but seeks his first since 2005.
Thursday Night
2T-Davey Ray: 2003 Badger Champion has one preliminary night feature win and four Saturday Night starts during his career.
7B-Brian Peterson: Returns to Chili Bowl for second straight year using the Stealth/Honda combination.
71W-Christopher Bell: 2014 Badger Champion was the preliminary feature winner on Thursday, last year and led the first nine laps on Saturday.
75-Ken Hanson: Eighth place in ’16 Badger points, the Hawkeye driver makes his Chili Bowl debut for Badger competitors Roger & Lara Miller.
Friday Night
0-Johnny Murdock: Murdock takes his turn Friday Night at the wheel; a busy week sees Murdock fielding seven cars.
- administrator on Dec 31, 2016
- Article Date: 12/31/2016 by Bryan Gapinski