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Need To Know: 2019 Chili Bowl Format Explained

Bryan Hulbert - TULSA, Okla. (January 8, 2019) The countdown to the 33rd annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire is nearly complete. Taking place January 14-19, 2019, the melting pot of racing talent set to converge on the River Spirit Expo Center in Tulsa, Okla. stands at 355 entries from 33 states and five countries.

For the 2019 event, the addition of Monday qualifying has adjusted the format slightly.

The only change to the Preliminary Night format is the Top 2 in each night's A-Feature will lock into Saturday's 55-lap championship event. With that change, the finish and race procedure for Saturday will change slightly with everything explained in the following:

2019 Race Format

Qualifying Nights (Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri)

Heat Races

• Drivers draw for heat racing starting position at 2 p.m. at chalkboard each day
• The driver who draws lowest number will start on the pole of Heat 1, second lowest number on the pole of Heat 2, etc.
• Number of heats decided by number of cars - 7-10 cars per heat race (8 Laps)
• Advancement from heat race to features is based upon passing points earned in heat race and qualifying races. Passing points are based upon car starting position when the yellow light goes out prior to the initial start of the heat or qualifying race.

C Mains/Qualifying Races/B Mains/A Main

• The 40 drivers earning the most passing points advance to Four “A” Qualifying Races; drivers in passing points positions 41-68 will go to two C Main races. The two C Main races will have 16 cars 12 laps in length.
• The top four cars in each C Main race will advance to the back of the B Main races, going 15 laps. (Top four from first C Main to back of first B Main, top four from second C Main to back of second B main)
• The lineup of each “A” Qualifying race will include an inversion of six cars. The top 24 cars in passing points will make the inversion. (The top point driver will start on row 3 of the first qualifying race, the No. 2 driver on row 3 of the second qualifying race, etc.)
• The four qualifying races will have 10 cars each with the top 16 in combined passing points from the heats and Qualifying races advancing to the A Main.
• The balance of the cars (24) from the “A” qualifying races will advance to two 16 car B Mains. The top four in each B Main will advance to the A Main, going 25 laps.
• There will be 24 drivers in each Preliminary Night A Feature
• The top two drivers in the Preliminary A qualify for Saturday’s A Main.

Saturday Night Features

A Feature

The lineup for the top 10 cars in the A feature will be determined through the Pizza Express Chili Bowl Pole Dash.
The five A feature winners will draw 1-5, followed by the five drivers who finished second drawing 6-10 to seed the Pole Dash.

POLE DASH PROCEDURE

• Each of the races will have two cars and be three laps.
• The two lowest seeds, 9 and 10, will run a two-lap, two-car race to start the Pole Dash. The higher seed will receive lane choice, high or low, prior to the race.
• The winner of each race will face the next highest seeded driver in the next race. Once a driver loses a race they are eliminated, while the winner stays on the track.
• The driver who wins the last race will earn the pole position. A driver’s position in the A Main will be determined by where they finish in the pole dash.

NOTE—ALL POSITIONS IN RACES OTHER THAN SATURDAY’S A MAIN WILL LINE UP UPON THE ORIGINAL DRAW OF THE WINNERS
PRIOR TO THE POLE DASH. Example-If the Friday winner draws number 1, the Wednesday winner draws number 2, Tuesday winner draws number 3, Thursday winner draws number 4,, and the Monday winner draws number 5, all positions in all races will be based on Friday first, Wednesday second, Tuesday third, Thursday fourth, and Monday fifth.

• Seven drivers will advance from each B main to the A for a total of 24 cars with Provisionals set aside for the defending Chili Bowl Champion and VIROC Winner should they not transfer.

B Mains

• There will be two B mains, with 20 drivers in each B main.
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary A feature in position 3-8 will qualify for the B mains
• Five drivers will advance from each C main to the B mains (1st C to 1st B, 2nd C to 2nd B)

C Mains

• There will be two C Mains, with 20 drivers in each C
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary A feature positions 9-14 will qualify for the C mains
• Five drivers will advance from each D main to the C Mains

D Mains

• There will be two D mains, with 20 drivers in each D
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary A feature positions 15-20 will qualify for the D mains
• Five drivers will advance from each E main to the D mains

E Mains

• There will be two E mains, with 20 drivers in each E
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary night A features 21-24 and B features 5th will qualify for the E mains
• Five drivers will advance from each F main to the E mains

F Mains

• There will be two F mains, with 20 drivers in each F
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary night B features in positions 6-8 will qualify for the F mains
• Five drivers will advance from each G main to the F mains

G Mains

• There will be two G mains, with 16 drivers in each G
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary night B features in positions 9-10 will qualify for the G mains
• Five drivers will advance from each H main to the G mains

H Mains

• There will be two H mains, with 16 drivers in each H
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary night B features in positions 11-12 will qualify for the H mains
• Six drivers will advance from each I main to the H mains

I Mains

• There will be two I mains, with 16 drivers in each I
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary night B features in positions 13-14 will qualify for the I mains
• Six drivers will advance from each J main to the I mains

J Mains

• There will be two J mains, with 16 drivers in each J
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary night B features in positions 15-16 will qualify for the I mains
• Six drivers will advance from each K main to the I mains

K Mains

• There will be two K mains, with 16 drivers in each K
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary night C features in positions 5-6 will qualify for the K mains
• Six drivers will advance from each L main to the L mains

L Mains

• There will be two L Mains, with 16 drivers in each L
• Drivers finishing in their Preliminary night C feature in position 7-8 will qualify for the L Mains
• Six drivers will advance from each M main to the L mains

M Mains

• There will be two M Mains, with 16 drivers in each M
• Drivers finishing in C feature positions 9-10 will qualify for the M Mains
• Six drivers will advance from each N main to the M mains

N Mains

• There will be two N Mains, with 16 drivers in each N
• Drivers finishing in C feature positions 11-12 will qualify for the N Mains
• Six drivers will advance from each O main to the N mains

O Mains

• There will be two O Mains, with number of cars TBA
• Drivers finishing in C feature positions 13 on back will qualify for the O Main.
• Note that cars that started will be given priority over cars that did not take the green flag in a C feature.

Entries are continuing to come in with teams able to enter during the event all the way up Friday, January 18, 2019, at Noon. Entry is $200 and the form can be downloaded at https://www.chilibowl.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=72453 and returned via Fax to (918) 836-5517, called in to (918) 838-3777, or mailed to 1140 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112.

Entry forms must include a current W9 form as well. Download the form at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf

Just like the 2018 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire all cars must run a Muffler. Inserts will not be allowed. All car number and letter combination must be legible from the scorers stand. While the races are scored electronically, the races are also hand-scored.

The 33rd annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire takes place January 14-19, 2019 at the Tulsa Expo Raceway, located inside the River Spirit Expo Center in Tulsa, Okla. Monday and Tuesday tickets are on sale. Monday and Tuesday reserved seats are $54 each. The Pit Pass is sold at the event and includes a General Admission pass good for seating on the backstretch. Pit Passes are $45/weekday and $60 on Saturday.

For continued updates on the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, fans can follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with @CBNationals. All official press, updates, and results on the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire can be found online at http://www.chilibowl.com.

Quick Notes:

What: 33rd annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
When: January 14-19, 2019
Where: River Spirit Expo Center – Tulsa Expo Raceway 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74114
Parking: January 12, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. (CT)

Entry Information:

Late Entry ($200): December 15, 2018 – January 18, 2019
Entry Blank: http://www.chilibowl.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=72453

Return Entries Via:

Phone: (918) 838-3777
Fax: (918) 836-5517
Mail: 1141 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112

Entries will not be accepted via Social Media.

Contact:

Phone: (918) 838-3777
Fax: (918) 836-5517
Mail: 1141 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112

Chili Bowl Online:

Website: http://www.chilibowl.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chilibowlnationals
Twitter: (@cbnationals)
Official Hashtag: #ChiliBowl2019
Instagram: cbnationals
Snap Chat: TheChiliBowl

Times:

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Move-In……..…..…..………..……....…..….12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Move-In……..…..…..………..……....…..….9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Pit Pass Booth Opens.…..…..……..….. ...12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Monday, January 14, 2018

Building/Pit Pass Booth Open..……......………………8:00 am
Pit Pass Booth Opens…………………………………..8:00 am
Practice………………………………….…...…...…….. 9:00 am
Building Secured.........................................................1:00 pm
Draw For Lineups........................................................2:00 pm
Driver's Meeting..........................................................3:00 pm
Hot Laps…………………….……..…….….………..…..4:00 pm
Races………………………..………….….….…...….... 5:00 pm

Multi day Pit Pass $285.00 ~ Single Day $45

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Building/Pit Pass Booth Open..……......………………9:00 am
Building Secured.........................................................1:00 pm
Draw For Lineups........................................................2:00 pm
Driver's Meeting..........................................................3:00 pm
Hot Laps…………………….……..…….….………..…..4:00 pm
Races………………………..………….….….…...….... 5:00 pm

Multi day Pit Pass $240.00 ~ Single day $45.00

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Building/Pit Pass Booth Open..……......………………9:00 am
Building Secured.........................................................1:00 pm
Draw For Lineups........................................................2:00 pm
Driver's Meeting..........................................................3:00 pm
Hot Laps…………………….……..…….….………..…..4:00 pm
Races………………………..………….….….…...….... 5:00 pm

Multi day Pit Pass $195.00 ~ Single day $45.00

Thursday January 17, 2019

Building/Pit Pass Booth Open..……......………………9:00 am
Building Secured.........................................................1:00 pm
Draw For Lineups........................................................2:00 pm
Driver's Meeting..........................................................3:00 pm
Hot Laps…………………….……..…….….………..…..4:00 pm
Races………………………..………….….….…...….... 5:00 pm

Multi day Pit Pass $150.00 ~ Single day $45.00

Friday January 18, 2019

Building Secured/Pit Pass Booth Open..……......…….9:00 am
Charity Auction..........................................................12:00 pm
Draw For Lineups........................................................2:00 pm
Driver's Meeting..........................................................3:00 pm
Hot Laps…………………….……..…….….………..…..4:00 pm
Races………………………..………….….….…...….... 5:00 pm

Multi days Pit Pass $105.00 ~ Single day $45.00

Saturday January 19, 2019

Building Secured/Trade Show …………………….….. 8:00 am
Pit Pass Booth/Pit Gate ….….…...….…..……………. 8:00 am
Racer's For Christ Service (Turn 4 Grandstands).......8:00am
Feature Races…...……….……………….……….……10:00 am
Opening Ceremonies..................................................6:00 pm

Single Day Pass - $60

Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Champions:

Year - Driver (Owner)

2018 - Christopher Bell (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2017 - Christopher Bell (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2016 - Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2015 - Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2014 - Bryan Clauson (Joe Dooling/Rusty Kunz/Curb Records)
2013 - Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2012 - Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2011 - Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2010 - Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2009 - Sammy Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2008 - Damion Gardner (Jason Leffler)
2007 - Tony Stewart (Tony Stewart Motorsports)
2006 - Tim McCreadie (Steve Smith)
2005 - Tracy Hines (Wilke - Pak)
2004 - Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
2003 - Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
2002 - Tony Stewart (Keith Kunz)
2001 - Jay Drake (Keith Kunz)
2000 - Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
1999 - Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
1998 - Sammy Swindell (Pete Willoughby)
1997 - Billy Boat (John Lawson)
1996 - Sammy Swindell (Rusty Kunz / Jay McKinnie)
1995 - Donnie Beechler (Zarounian Motorsports)
1994 - Andy Hillenburg (Keith Kunz / Rusty Kunz)
1993 - Dave Blaney (Ralph Potter)
1992 - Sammy Swindell (Dave Ellis)
1991 - Lealand McSpadden (Andy Bondio)
1990 - John Heydenreich (Tony Finley)
1989 - Sammy Swindell (Jack Runyon)
1988 - Scott Hatton (Jerry Hatton)
1987 - Rich Vogler (Bob Lowe)

VIROC Champions: Chad Boat (2018), Kyle Larson (2014 and 2017), Tanner Thorson (2016), Sammy Swindell (2015, 2012, 2011, 2009), Kevin Swindell (2013), Brad Loyet (2010)

Trade Show: A long-standing tradition at the Chili Bowl, the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Monday through Saturday), is free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 vendors. The Trade Show still has space available. Anyone looking to be a part of the Trade Show can contact the Chili Bowl office at 918-838-3777. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.

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Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. More information about the products available from Lucas Oil can be found at http://www.lucasoil.com. General Tire is the presenting sponsor of the Chili Bowl. A complete inventory of tires offered by General Tire can be found at http://www.generaltire.com.

Vacuworx Global is the title sponsor of the VIROC which brings past Chili Bowl Champions as well as champions from around the world together for a single 20 lap race to see who is the best of the best. For more information about Vacuworx log onto www.vacuworx.com. For more information on past champions of the VIROC, log onto www.theviroc.com.

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