Racers to Watch For During the 2010 Chili Bowl Nationals

Many racers to watch for in 2010
Written By: Matt "Night" Rider

TULSA, OK.- There are many racers to watch for in the 24th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. Here are some of the few drivers you should have an eye on this week.

No.1 Sammy Swindell: "Sammy is the defending Champion of the Chili Bowl Nationals. Momentum is definitely on Sammy's side, and he knows what it takes to win at the Chili Bowl. Sammy will look to hit his marks and take another trip to victory lane at this year's Chili Bowl Nationals."

Sammy will be racing for in Tuesday night's Vacuworx International Race of Champions. Then Swindell will race for a qualifying spot in the 2010 Chili Bowl Nationals on Thursday night, during the "Bully Dog Qualifying Night" activities.

   No. 39b Bryan Clauson: "Bryan won a lot in 2009 and he will be back to go after this year's Chili Bowl National's Championship. This former Nascar Nationwide racer is quickly making a name for himself. Last year, Bryan finished second (3 points behind) Levi Jones for the 2009 Indiana Sprint Week title. Then Clauson went on a tear, winning at almost everywhere he raced, including Gas City (I-69) Speedway and the Night before the 500 at O'reilly Raceway Park. Look for Bryan to be a strong competitor in his No. 39b midget during the 24th annual Chili Bowl Nationals.

Bryan will take part in the qualifying race during the "River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night" on Wednesday, January 13th.

No. 21k Cory Kruseman: "Cory will look to win the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals for the third time in recent years (2000, 2004 winner). Cory knows how to get around the Chili Bowl Nationals course, and knows the right set up it takes to win another Golden Drillers Trophy."

Cory is racing in the Vacuworx International Race of Champions on Tuesday night. Then Cory will look to put his No. 21k midget on Friday night during the "E3 Spark Plugs Qualifying Night."

No. 2b Levi Jones: "After an impressive 2009 season that saw him win the overall season USAC Sprint Car Championship. Jones won repeated as the Indiana Sprint Week Champion in 2009. Levi will go for the Golden Driller Trophy in 2010."

Levi will race in the qualifying race on Friday night's "E3 Spark Plugs Qualifying Night."

No. 1st Shane Cottle: Shane comes to the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals after winning the Gas City (I-69) Speedway overall track Championship.  This Kokomo native won the 2008 Little 500 Champion, and will look to take a trip to victory lane, and add the famous Drillers Trophy to his trophy case."

Cottle will race in Thursday night's "Bully Dog Qualifying Night" race for a spot in this year's Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.

 No. 4x Dave Darland: "Dave is a legend in USAC Sprints and he is pretty much the same in midget. Dave is in some ways like Tony Stewart, in that Dave can race about anything. From dirt to asphalt, Dave can flat out race. Look for Darland to be a strong contender in the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals this week."

Dave will start his climb to the Driller's Trophy on Tuesday night during the "Warren CAT Qualifying Night."

No. 71 Cole Whitt: "Cole Whitt made his debut at the 2008 Chili Bowl Nationals. That race he finished 13th. The next year he came back and finished 8th in the Chili Bowl Nationals. This will be his third Chili Bowl Nationals, and Cole hopes it's third times a charm. Ever since his debut at the Chili Bowl, Whitt has been winning Sprint Car features all over. From Kokomo Speedway to the dirt tracks of California, Cole have traveled all over the country. Finishing third in the USAC Sprint Car series points standing last season, Whitt will look to take the Golden Drillers Trophy home with him to start the 2010 campaign."

Whitt will be on the starting grid for Tuesday night's Vacuworx International Race of Champions. Then Cole will race in the qualifying race during the "River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night" on Wednesday, January 13th.

No. 67k Kasey Kahne: "After an impressive season in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series, Kasey returns to the Chili Bowl Nationals with his eyes set on capturing the famous Golden Driller's Trophy."

Kasey will take his first steps toward the famous Golden Driller's Trophy on Thursday's
"Bully Dog Qualifying Night."

No. 9 Joey Saldana: "The Brownsburg Bullet" Joey Saldana makes his debut at the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in his famous No. 9. In 2009, Saldana won an impressive 20 A-Main features in the No. 9 World of Outlaws for Kasey Kahne Racing. Saldana has shown he can turn on the after burners, so watch for Saldana to have a good debut in his first trip to the Chili Bowl Nationals."

Joey will race in the qualifying race on Friday, January 15th "E3 Spark Plugs Qualifying Night."

No. 49 Brad Sweet: "After a succesful 2009 campaign, Sweet returns to the Chili Bowl Nationals, hoping for a sweet showing that lands him in victory lane on Saturday, January 16th."

Sweet will compete in the qualifying race during the "River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night" on Wednesday, January 13th.

This will be one of the most completive Chili Bowl Nationals of late. Anyone can win, and everyone will be veying for the famous Driller's Trophy. Catch all the action and up to date information on the 24th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals on "Through the Gears."