Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Tony Stewart is going (Chili) Bowling



   Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart has joined the star-studded field of entrants for the 27th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at the Tulsa (Okla.) Expo Center, which kicks off Jan. 8 and concludes Jan. 12.

   Stewart finished 10th in last year’s finale after not participating in the event for three consecutive seasons (2009-2011). This year, he returns to action in the TSR No. 14 Chevrolet Performance/Spike/Chevrolet in the most prestigious Midget race of the year.

   The annual Chili Bowl, which takes place inside the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway, will see Stewart and more than 200 drivers attempt to qualify for one of the coveted spots in Saturday’s 50-lap A-Main finale. 

   Stewart is one of five drivers to win the Chili Bowl more than once, one of 17 different drivers to win it since the inaugural event in 1987. He has a pair of Golden Drillers in his collection after scoring Chili Bowl victories in 2002 and 2007.

   Stewart's participation in the Chili Bowl may limit or prevent him from attending a scheduled Cup series test at Daytona International Speedway Jan. 10-12.