Leffler to carry the colors of long-time sponsor, Great Clips, Inc.
MOORESVILLE, NC (January 6, 2011) – For years, the Chili Bowl Nationals Golden Driller trophy has been a coveted, yet elusive, prize for three-time Midget National Champion, Jason Leffler. However, when close to 300 entries show up for the Silver Anniversary of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway, January 11-15, Leffler feels he will have his best shot yet at capturing the famed trophy. The NASCAR Nationwide Series veteran who drives for Turner Motorsports, will wheel the No. 91x entry for Kasey Kahne Racing, carrying the colors of his Nationwide Series sponsor of six years, Great Clips, Inc.
Leffler’s illustrious USAC career boasts multiple championships, over 40 Midget feature wins and six Silver Crown victories. In 1998, he captured the USAC Silver Crown Championship and, in 1999, he etched his name in the record books by becoming only the third driver in history to claim three consecutive Midget National Championships. He has captured victories in almost every elite national Midget race over the last decade including wins at the Belleville Nationals and Hut 100 (both in 1997), the Copper Classic (1999), the Night Before the 500 (2002) and two Turkey Night events (1999 and 2005).
It is the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals title that has always eluded him but he looks to change that in next week’s 25th-annual running of what he deems “the greatest spectacle in racing.” His best performance in the five day-long event occurred in 1998 when he came away with a second-place finish. Other top finishes include a 5th-place in 2004 and 9th in 2000. Leffler did lay claim to the title as an owner when Damion Gardner won in the event in 2008, driving under the Leffler Racing banner. Still, Leffler hungers to win the event as a driver, a win which would certainly round out his USAC career quite nicely.
“The Chili Bowl is one of the most exciting races events you could ever see,” said Leffler. “You have over 300 guys competing for 24 spots in the A-Main feature with one prize. It is some of the fiercest on-track competition you could ever witness. If you are a race fan, The Chili Bowl is something you should experience at least once in your lifetime. I am excited to be driving for Kasey Kahne Racing and very proud to have long-time sponsor, Great Clips, on board with me for this event.”
The excitement begins for Leffler on Tuesday night as an exclusive club of 16 event champions and series legends will compete in the Chili Bowl Race of Champions, a special 20-lap race. He is then slated for the Thursday night qualifying round, when he will make a bid for a top-four finishing position to lock himself into Saturday nightÂ’s Chili Bowl Championship feature event.
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Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Quick Facts
What: 25th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When:
January 11-15, 2011
Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus Vacuworx Int’l Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Qualifying Night
Friday – Vacuworx International Qualifying Night
Saturday – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events
Past Winners: Kevin Swindell (2010), Sammy Swindell (2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), 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).
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Tickets: A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night’s Warren CAT Qualifying Event and the Third Annual Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $43 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate if still available. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Chili Bowl on TV: Portions of the 25th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals will be broadcast on SPEED TV on a tape-delayed basis.
Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 25th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, including official entry lists, race results and recaps, is available first at http://www.chilibowl.com/ www.chilibowl.com. Also, all five nights of the Chili Bowl Nationals will be broadcast live (audio) on http://www.racinboys.com/ www.racinboys.com.
