Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: Other Series Racing

Other series racing

  • Tom Hessert Ready To Execute In 2012 With Ken Schrader Racing

    Tom Hessert Ready To Execute In 2012 With Ken Schrader Racing

    “ARCA Veteran Returns To Business With Daytona Win On His Mind”

    CHERRY HILL, New Jersey (January 20, 2012) – – Without question, Tom Hessert III was a driver grabbing headlines on the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards tour at the conclusion of the 2011 season. A strong span of eight top-10 finishes including seven consecutive in the last 11 races of the year trademarked his presence.

    With nearly a four month hiatus slowly coming to a close, the Cherry Hill, New Jersey native is eager to show that the off-season hasn’t stalled his momentum when he returns behind the wheel of the No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Toyota Camry for the season-opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Saturday, February 18, 2012.

    The first of 20 races for the new season marks the second year for the 25-year old pilot leading the helm for Ken Schrader Racing (KSR), a long-time fixture in the ARCA Racing Series community. Unfortunately, a strong showing for the duo in the season-opener last February was abruptly halted when Hessert was caught up in an-on track incident 52 laps into the race – but the Donnie Richeson-led team is craving a monstrous rebound.

    “I’m glad to be back at Ken Schrader Racing with the support of Federated Auto Parts,” said Hessert, a second-generation driver. “Our season came to a close in style with a pole and fourth place finish at Toledo Speedway. I honestly feel like we can go to Daytona next month and pick up right where we left off in October.”

    Of course, Hessert’s performance at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway last April, the other restrictor plate track for the ARCA warriors solidifies his pre-race thoughts. A fifth place qualifying effort at the 2.66-mile superspeedway comprehended by a sixth place finish in the 94-lap dash keeps the team in-balance of what restrictor plate racing is all about.

    “If you can survive, you’re probably going to finish well,” Hessert noted. “We had a super car at Talladega. We were able to draft our way back into the top-10 in the final laps of the race and grab a solid finish. Daytona is ARCA’s version of the Super Bowl; and we’re taking that same car, so to say our focus is glued upon duplicating a similar performance from ‘Dega would be an understatement.”

    The former NASCAR Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car driver will begin his fifth year on the ARCA tour in February and plans to deliver his first top-five finish at the “World Center of Racing.”

    “My first year at Daytona, I was able to leave the track with a satisfying sixth place run,” Hessert sounded. “Since then, it’s been a little turbulent. But, you go into every new season with high hopes and this year will be no different. We have the capabilities of putting Ken Schrader Racing and Federated Auto Parts back in victory lane and it sure would be awesome to pull that off feat at a place like Daytona!”

    He concluded by saying, “ARCA’s been a great home to me and I’m glad to be back in 2012. You never know what to expect when you get to the track; but I can promise you that we’re going to give no less than all we have to give and put our No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Toyota Camry in the spotlight.”

    The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona (80 laps / 200 miles) is the first of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 49th ARCA race held at Daytona is a three-day show. Practice begins Thursday, February 16 with a four hour practice session planned from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for Friday, February 17 slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. A forty-five minute final practice session is etched in on Saturday, February 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The event will take the green flag later that day shortly after 4:30 p.m. The race will be televised live on SPEED with additional race coverage including live timing and scoring and radio broadcast through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com.  All times are local. ARCA, celebrating its 60th season in 2012 is the preamble for the highly anticipated Budweiser Shootout for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) set to ignite under the lights later that night.

    Leaning into Daytona, Hessert has 83 career ARCA Racing Series starts. In those outings, he has maneuvered two poles, one win, 19 top-fives and 43 top-10s.

    For more on Tom Hessert III, please visit tomhessert.com.

  • Tom Hessert Will Return To The ARCA Racing Series in 2012

    Tom Hessert Will Return To The ARCA Racing Series in 2012

    While Tom Hessert won’t release many details about what his plans for 2012 are, he is saying one thing that is definite – he will be racing in the ARCA Racing Series.

    “I’m definitely planning on returning to the ARCA Racing Series in 2012,” Hessert said. “Whether it’s full-time or on a part-time basis is yet to be sorted out.”

    The Cherry Hill, N.J. native also adds that he vows that he will be at Daytona International Speedway on February 18th for the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200. He also wants to finish better this year after finishing 37th in last year’s running.

    “But I can tell you I’ll be at Daytona in February, so definitely looking forward to that,” Hessert, who finished sixth in points last year, said. “We didn’t have a real good Daytona last year, so definitely looking to come out this year on the better end.”

    Hessert also has made another vow, to marry his fiancée Meghan Reilly in November.

    Getting ready for Daytona and helping his bride-to-be with wedding plans isn’t all that’s on Hessert’s plate. He is also busy working for the Classic Auto Group in hometown.

    “I do most of the wholesale stuff for Classic Auto Group – buy cars for resale while we, at the same time, sell our aged inventory to make way for the newer stuff,” he said. “In terms of what we buy, it could be anything from a Ferrari to a Ford F-150, so a pretty wide range.”

  • New IndyCar Series ‘DW12’ Chassis To Make First Appearance in Canada

    Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track staff announced that as part of the three day show, they will be featuring a special show car – the 2012 IndyCar Series D12 Dallara Chassis.

    This will mark the first time that the completed version of the 2012 Dallara DW12 IndyCar will make its appearance in Canada. A preview of the final version was on display at the Honda Indy Toronto last year, but there have since been significant changes. Dallara named the the chassis “DW12″ in honor of the late Dan Wheldon, who helped develop the car and and is a two-time winner of the Indy 500. The car is being put on display on behalf of the Honda Indy Toronto staff.

    “Canadian Motorsports Expo visitors are going to be the first in Canada to get a firsthand look at the new road course version of the Dallara DW12 IZOD IndyCar Series car, identical to the ones that will be in action on the streets of Toronto in July,” CME’s David Weber said. “The Honda Indy Toronto is one of Canada’s biggest sports and entertainment events and we’re excited to be working the organizers to promote both the event and Canadian motorsports at the CME.”

    The Honda Indy Toronto brings the stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and other major racing series to Toronto to race along the streets of the Exhibition Grounds. The event weekend is schedule to take place July 6th through the 8th for 2012. Representatives from the event will on-hand to talk about the 2012 event and the new IndyCar Series chassis.

    “The Honda Indy Toronto is the highlight of the year for many motorsports fans and car aficionados,” Charlie Johnstone, Vice President and General Manager of the Honda Indy Toronto. “Motorsports has much more to offer than one single weekend of spectacular racing and excitement. IndyCar and other racing series can offer great entertainment all year long, which is something we will also offer at the CME.

    “At the CME, we can speak directly to the motorsport enthusiast who will definitely appreciate seeing the new car up-close and in-person six months before it hits the track,” continued Johnstone.”

    The Canadian Motorsports Expo will be taking place at the International Centre from February 10th to February 12th. The three-day event is meant to highlight the best of Canadian motorsports and let the fans get up-and-close with the race cars, while giving the fans a chance to meet racing superstars.

    Canadian racing talent has been building in the IZOD IndyCar Series as 2011 IndyCar Rookie of the Year James Hinchcliffe and 2011 Indy 500 pole-winner Alex Tagliani have both signed deals for full-time rides. Hinchcliffe, who was born in Ontario, recently signed with Andretti Autosport while Tagliani, who was born in Quebec, recently signed with Bryan Herta Autosport. Both drivers are also nominated for an Inside Track Readers’ Choice Award.

    Canadian racing veteran Paul Tracy could also have a full-time ride for 2012 as he in talks with teams, but nothing has yet to be confirmed.

    “We have some solid Canadian talents participating this year and driving at the highest level,” Johnstone said. “Having Canadian IndyCar drivers is very important for us and for our fans. We always want to see local heroes on-track and to have them succeed. We can’t wait to see how they perform in Toronto this July and what the season holds for our Canadian drivers.”

  • Oriol Servia Joins Dreyer and Reinbold Racing For 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Season

    After finishing fourth last season in the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship standings, Oriol Servia has partnered with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing.

    “I couldn’t be more excited, for many reasons,” the 37-year-old said. “DRR is a team that I raced against since 2008 and they’ve always shown to be very professional at the racetrack. Although I knew the owners, I didn’t know them very well, to be honest. Before signing with the team, like everybody else, I did my research and I couldn’t find one individual that didn’t speak highly of Dennis or Robbie (Buhl), which gave me a lot of confidence.

    “I went to the team’s sponsor summit last week (in Florida) and met all of their partners that they have been involved with for many, many years, which was another clear sign that they are good people.”

    The driver from Catalonia, Spain, posted 11 top-10 finishes with a high of second at New Hampshire and Baltimore for Newman/Haas Racing. He also led all drivers in laps completed with 2,103 of 2,111 and was the only driver to finish in the top 10 in the first five races of the season.

    “With a new engine, new chassis and a revamped engineering department, we believe it is crucial to have a highly talented veteran driver to be able to develop these new components,” Dreyer & Reinbold co-owner Dennis Reinbold said. “Oriol has always been a smart driver and has always put himself and his team in a position to win races. We are going to have to be well-prepared to take advantage of his abilities and we look forward to the challenge.”

    Servia got his start with Newman-Haas back in 2005 and the following season, he was able to finish second in points. From there, they tried to put a deal together, even running four races in 2009, though the deal didn’t come together till this year. He caught the eye of Newman-Haas after success in the Firestone Indy Lights, including a championship in 1999.

    “That’s a moment in my life where I was trying to become a professional racer, but I wasn’t yet,” he told me back in July of last year. “That meant that I had to win the championship if I wanted any chance and the day I won the championship, I only lost control of all of my emotions and it was a great feeling.”

    Dreyer and Reinbold Racing had already announced that they will be partnering with Lotus for 2012. Servia is eager to begin testing as the season-opening race is on March 25th with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

    “I’m at the best point in my career and it was very important to partner with the right team,” he said. “When I visited the DRR facility in Indianapolis, I couldn’t have been more impressed. We are starting with a new engine and chassis, and I have confidence in Lotus and our ability to develop a quality product in 2012. When you have everyone pulling in the same direction like we are now is when we can accomplish our goals.”

    Dreyer & Reinbold Racing continues to work toward a second full-time entry for the 2012 season.

  • Steve Cote To Drive For White Motorsports in 2012

    Steve Cote To Drive For White Motorsports in 2012

    White Motorsports announced on January 15th that an agreement has been reached between Steve Cote and White Motorsports to participate in all twelve races of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season and go after the Rookie of the Year title.

    “I am excited to race from coast-to-coast at the highest level of stock car racing in Canada,” Cote said. “It is a privilege for me to be associated with NASCAR, White Motorsports and its owner Derek White. We will have two cars at our disposal, both of which are currently being upgraded to the latest specifications. Also, I will be reunited once more with my brother, Jonathan, who has already accumulated a year of experience with White Motorsports in the NCATS series. This will allow me to be competitive going in.”

    Cote has already had his fair share of success as he won the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Quebec Championship in 2010. This past season, he ran modifieds at All American Speedway in Roseville, California where he finished second in points and claimed rookie of the year.

    Steve Cote and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series kick off the 2012 championship on the Mosport International Raceway road course (Bowmanville, ON) on May 20th. The 12-race schedule will visit racing facilities in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

  • Mikey Kile: Ready For The Challenge with Andy Belmont Racing

    In their breakout season last year with driver Chad McCumbee, Andy Belmont Racing set the bar high as they won the Bill France Four Crown Award and finished fifth in driver’s points. With that said, Mikey Kile knows the expectations are high for him this year.

    “I can’t wait to get the season going,” Kile said. “They’ve really set the bar high at Andy Belmont Racing, so it’s a tremendous challenge to take it to the next level. I believe our ModSpace team will come out of the blocks fast. This race team will start the year in full stride.”

    The Westlake, La. driver has had success before as he finished fifth in points in 2010 with Venturini Motorsports. The season begins for the 28-year-old at Daytona with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on February 18th.

    “I’m confident we’ll be in the championship hunt all year,” Jennifer Belmont said. “Mikey is the driver I believe can make us a contender in our flagship car. He’s always been fast at Daytona, so we’re confident he will get us off to a good start. Everyone on this race team has spent a lot of hours making sure he will have a good car. Mikey will do the rest.”

    Kile got started in racing through go-karts at a young age. Since then, he has moved up the ranks, having success at various levels. Career highlights include four carting championships, eight IMCA modified wins and 2008 USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series Rookie of the Year.

    In 2009, Kile ran some ARCA and Camping World Truck Series races for Brad Keselowski Racing. In the truck series, he qualified career-high 10th at Las Vegas and finished a career-high 11th at both Milwaukee and Gateway in the Truck Series. In the ARCA Series, he qualified a career-high 10th at Kentucky and finished a career-high fourth at Talladega.

    “It was good,” Kile said of that experience back in 2010. “Our first outing we ran at Martinsville and finished 11th. I think we ran six races and finished top-12 in three or four of the six. We were sixth quickest at Vegas and running top-10 there and top-10 at Texas and a pit stop issue there caught us outside of the top 10. It was a learning curve, but definitely running there and running good, I felt like I belonged there.”

    In 2010, he ran the full schedule for Venturini Motorsports, which led to him running some ARCA races for Venturini in 2011 and some NASCAR Camping World Truck and Nationwide races for Turner Motorsports.

    Last month, Andy Belmont Racing made it official that they had hired Mikey Kile for the entire 2012 season.

    Andy Belmont Racing also added a new crew chief to the team as they brought Jeff McClure on board. Though there will be one thing that stays the same for ABR as Modspace has come back on board.

    “ModSpace is always excited to start the season at Daytona,” said William Mann, vice president of ModSpace Motorsports. “The history and energy that comes with this historic track always creates an exciting race! We are looking forward to seeing Mikey get behind the wheel the No. 1 ModSpace Ford and deliver a top-notch finish.”

    “The entire team had a successful test at Daytona and they came back with a lot of notes to make the car even better,” Kile added. “This is an exciting time for everyone involved with this ModSpace race team. We’re all eager to get it started at Daytona. We will also be testing a new car at Talladega Superspeedway at the end of this month.”

  • Kevin Swindell Takes Chili Bowl Hat Trick

    The Chili Bowl went off without a hitch. Although its spirit was dampened by the loss of one of its young stars, Donnie Ray Crawford, in a domestic violence situation. More so than other series I have covered the young man’s loss was felt strongly by not only competitors but fans and officials a like. So much so that in his memory they increased the main event by 5 laps to make it 55 his car number and used his car as the pace vehicle to start the race. The only other showing of grief that even comes close to what I saw today was the grief seen in Rockingham in 2001 after the loss of Dale Earnhardt.

    The last day of the event saw 19 races starting with the K mains and progressed up to the A main. 4 cars transferred from each race until the D mains when 6 cars transferred and finally the 12 from the 2 B main features filled the last 12 spots of the 24 car field of the Chili Bowl.

    The biggest surprise of the day was the Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year winning his B Main in commanding fashion. Richard Vanderweerd won his feature event by a straight away over 2nd place RJ Johnson. Though he didn’t make it into the top ten in the A main when the dust cleared, he showed himself to be a very talented and gifted young man.

    The fore gone conclusion of the day, that a Swindell would win the Chili Bowl. And one did. Kevin Swindell pulled off the Chili Bowl hat trick in a race that was interrupted by on only one caution flag for Levi Jones tumble in turns one and two. Jones who was uninjured in the crash never returned to the fray. From that point on the pole sitter dominated the race. From the green flag to the checkered flags Kevin Swindell lead every single lap.

    Kevin’s only challenge for the race came from his father Sammy. The elder Swindell made several hard charges at his son until he got tangled up with a lap car and broke the left rear shock and damaged the front axle. For most competitors that would have been the end of their day. Sammy Swindell however is not most competitors and he finished the final 6 laps in a car that was not capable of making any further challenge for the lead.

    Third place went to the young lion, Kyle Larson. This young man is going places. Even though he never mounted a serious challenge to the Swindells, he held off all comers otherwise and finished third in a dominant 5 car advantage over Danny Stratton, who came in 4th. This youngster can slice and dice and bicycle a midget as well as the much more experienced drivers he was competing against. His personable and likeable personality fills the picture with a great deal of fan presence.

    The remainder of the top 10 were not surprises either. With the exception of Kyle Larson they were all very experienced Midget drivers and Chili Bowl Competitors. 5th place went to Bryan Clauson. 6th to Brad Sweet, 7th to Cory Kruzeman, 8th to Jerry Coons Jr, 9th to Ricky Stenhouse Jr and 10th to Tony Stewart.

    The day was a long one. The main event was almost anti climatic. But the real story of the Chili Bowl wasn’t who won or who lost instead it was about the strength and determination of the human spirit when faced with grief and pain. The character and emotional strength it took for every one of those competitors today to get in those cars and carry on was a testament to the affection and respect they had for their fallen friend. Somewhere in the back of their minds each and every one of them realized that though they might not want to carry on with this it would be the ultimate show of disrespect to Donnie Ray Crawford to pack up and go home without trying. It’s not how he would have wanted it. He was there with them every single lap. Cheering them on to victory and consoling them in their loss. No doubt the young man marveled at the respect he was given by heroes like Kevin Swindell, Sammy Swindell, Bryan Clauson and Tony Stewart. But it is the way of the sport. It is the way that we say good bye. But even then not really good bye just see you at the next track.

    Last note of interest Joey Moughan was released from the hospital this morning after remaining for observation over night with no serious injuries.

  • Donny Ray Crawford killed at his home.

    Donny Ray Crawford killed at his home.

    The Chili Bowl has experienced a tragedy. In an off track domestic incident, Chili Bowl competitor Donny Ray Crawford who was locked in to the H main for today’s competition, was shot and killed along with his grandfather at his home last night.

    A third person, an adult woman was also injured in the shooting. She was able to talk when emergency workers arrived and she was reported to have said, “”I don’t want to lose my son”

    Wagoner County Sheriff Bob Colbert said the shooting appears to be the result of a family disturbance.

    “It’s too early to say why it happened,” he said, adding that there is no reason for the community to feel at risk.

    “It appears to be a family thing,” he said.

    It has been reported that tonight’s A-Main will be extended to 55 laps in honor of Crawford.

    [media-credit name=”Facebook ” align=”alignright” width=”218″][/media-credit]The race community here in Tulsa is saddened and shocked by the occurrence. The thoughts and prayers from all of the staff at Speedway Media go out to the family, friends and fans of Donny Ray Crawford.

  • Kruseman cruises to 7th Friday Victory at the Chili Bowl

    Kruseman cruises to 7th Friday Victory at the Chili Bowl

    [media-credit name=”Mike Holloway” align=”alignright” width=”196″][/media-credit]The final day of qualifying for the Chili Bowl went off with very few hitches but one very scary crash. Half way through the 4th qualifying race Joey Moughan’s Black 77 clipped the berm and slid on its side into bale of hay. He was then was launched up into the catch fence where it became tangled in the fence. The right rear wheel was over the top the fence and the car was held in the fence by the right front tire and wheel upside down. After working for several minutes, track safety workers were able to extricate Moughan from the car. He was awake and alert and able to follow commands. He was transported along with family to an area hospital where at last word he was undergoing a precautionary CAT scan.

    The racing tonight was fierce. Perhaps more so than any other night of the event so far. With big name drivers like Joey Saldana, Bryan Clauson, Jac Haudenschild, Levi Jones, Cory Kruseman and Brad Loyete all competing for a locked in position in the Chili Bowl A-main.

    Winning his 7th Friday night A main and securing a spot was Cory Kruseman. He ran strong, clean fast races. He was smart and strong with his passes using caution when in traffic and doing what he had to do to win.

    The “Wild Child” Jac Haudenschild was the surprise of the night. Wheeling his way into the A main with the flair and flamboyance we have come to expect from Jac. Always the showman his skills were sharp and his car control precise. Starting from the back of the A main he worked his way almost into transfer position finishing just one position shy in 4th.

    The two stand outs of the night were without a doubt, Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson. Clauson who announced he will be participating in the rookie orientation for the Indy 500 and attempting to qualify for that race this year came home a strong 3rd after falling back after nearly stalling the car  in traffic.

    Levi Jones, who is driving for Shane Hmiel in the Chili Bowl, showed strength and skill sets that were stronger than his 27 years should have allowed him. He flat out gutted Clauson going 3 wide to take over 2nd in the A main and nearly over took Kruseman at the checkered flag coming out of 4 when Kruseman struggled to get through lapped traffic. Finishing a very strong and charging 2nd Levi will no doubt make his presence known on Saturday night.

    Joey Saldana  finished third in his qualifying race to make the A main. He was never a factor after starting deep in the field and becoming mired in traffic and slower cars. But it was his skills behind the wheel that made an otherwise unsuccessful race a site to see. Saldana used his ability to control the car in tight traffic and control a car that was bicycling or teetering on two wheels as it goes around the corner to maintain a respectable finish of 15th, considering he himself said, “I don’t know anything about a midget. I really don’t know a whole lot about what I am doing out there so I am not sure that I am giving my crew enough information to help me. But we are having a good time anyway.”

    The draw for the 12 lock ins was held immediately following the A main tonight. The 12 locked in drivers will start the main event tomorrow in the following line up.

    1. Kevin Swindell
    2. Kyle Larson
    3. Sammy Swindell
    4. Cory Kruseman
    5. Danny Stratton
    6. Shane Cottle
    7. Levi Jones
    8. Ricky Stenhouse
    9. Brad Sweet
    10. Tony Stewart
    11. Bryan Clauson
    12. Michael Pickens

    The remainder of the field will be filled with the eliminating races starting with the K main tomorrow at 1230 CST. The main event will be a 50 lap event with a field made up of the very best of the best. It is an event that people have traveled from all over the country to see and have followed over radio broadcasts from all over the world. CBS announced that it will televise the event on April 14th.

    Other news Winged Sprint Car driver of the year was announced tonight and Jason Meyers took the honors. As well as the USAC series announced it will be returning to West Memphis on their national tour. It is the first time back to Memphis area for the sprint cars since 2004. The date for the event is Sept. 8th.

    The alphabet soup day for the Chili Bowl begins at 12:30 PM CST tomorrow with the running of the first K main. There will be 2 all the way up to the B main and the event will finish up with the main event for the Golden Driller at approximately 10 PM CST. It is possible to climb into the A main from the K main. It’s not an easy run and you would have to finish in the top 3 of every race to get there. But it is possible so if your favorite did not make the top 12, don’t give up. The Chili Bowl is far from over.

  • Kevin Swindell Dominates Day 3 of the Chili Bowl

    Kevin Swindell Dominates Day 3 of the Chili Bowl

    [media-credit id=30 align=”alignright” width=”200″][/media-credit]Night 3 of the Chili Bowl was a rough and ragged night of racing. Caution Flag followed caution flag and there were 3 different races that it required multiple attempts to even get a single lap of competition in. But when the dust settled it was a familiar name in victory lane. That name was Swindell. Not Sammy but Kevin. Following in his father’s footsteps the younger Swindell dominated the evening when he was on the track. The major difference one runs the top one runs the bottom. It makes it very easy to imagine a Swindell road block in the Chili Bowl on Saturday.

    The third night of the Chili Bowl was pushing hard to beat its 11:00 PM curfew. The competitors managed to pull it out with 8 minutes to spare. But not before a very scary crash involving J.J. Yeley.

    Yeley who bobbled early in the A main and was shuffled back to 10th was charging back up thru the field and had made it back to 6th and was battling for 5th when the 4th and 5th place cars tangled leaving Yeley no where to go. Yeley ended up hard on his roof and then had contact with another car. Yeley who escaped without injury was unable to return to the race and finished a very disappointing 22nd.

    There was some question in regards to the track maintenance that was done between the C-mains and the B-mains. The track became very wet and very slick making the surface a dirt covered skating rink. The drivers though concerned put on a terrific show in the B Mains with Tracy Hines showing a number of brilliant top to bottom slide moves to move up to the A main. He was never a factor however in the race starting on the next to last row.

    Brad Sweet, driving for Kasey Kahne Racing, had a quietly dominant night leading the points all night and into the A main. Sweet would challenge Swindell the entire race and would run 2nd all night until a late race restart would allow Shane Cottle to slide around him out of 3 to take second. Cottle however was unable to cut into Swindell’s straight away lead in the 3 laps remaining and took home second place with Sweet coming home in 3rd.

    The Chili Bowl line up is up to 9 going into the 4th night of qualifying tomorrow. But the closer it gets the more apparent it becomes that if you are going to win the Chili Bowl you are going to have to beat a Swindell. With the father and son team having won 4 of the last 5 it would appear that it will take more than speed and talent. It would appear that if you are to beat the Swindells for the Golden Driller it will take a great deal of luck.

    Your 9 lock ins so far are: Kyle Larson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Michael Pickens, Sammy Swindell, Danny Stratton, Tony Stewart, Kevin Swindell, Shane Cottle, Brad Sweet. We will add three more lock ins tomorrow evening as the Chili Bowl approaches.

    Shame Hmiel was in attendance tonight along with his driver for tomorrow’s qualifying action Levi Jones. Hmiel showed great humor and great spirit in an interview conducted in the pit area. It was certainly a wonderful thing to see Shane back at the track and still pushing to improve his ability and status. Hmiel who suffered a severe spinal cord injury last summer that left him a quadriplegic said he has a work out routine that is 6 to 8 hours a day. His goal he says is to be able to take his self out of the wheel chair and put his self in his bed so that his parents don’t have to do it.

    Also in attendance tonight were Gary Bettenhausen and Bobby Unser.

    The Chili Bowl will resume at 5:30 PM CSTtomorrow at the QT Expo in TulsaOklahoma. The event is a sell out. There is no video available until the tentative Jan 28 2012air date with Speed but you can listen to a live radio stream from .