Open wheel racing season begins tonight with the first evening of the 35th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl presented by General Tire in Tulsa. I am glad to see that the indoor race will proceed with limitations necessitated by the pandemic. The midget event is the most prestigious of the year. The organizers have worked closely with the local board of health, which has warned the event that it could be shut down if protocols aren’t followed.

Attendance each night is limited to 25% of normal capacity. Limited pit passes are available, which surprises me. I’m not sure I would want fins in the pits right now. Masks must be worn at all times and fans who do not comply will be asked to leave, with an escort if necessary. Everyone entering receives a temperature screening. Those who have a reading above the 100.4 degree threshold will have their temperature taken with a different thermometer.

Monday’s schedule ( All Times Central)

Monday, January 11, 2021

Building/Pit Pass Booth Open………………8:00 am
Building Secured………………………………….8:00 am
Practice………………………………………. 9:00 am
Draw For Lineups…………………………………2:00 pm
Driver’s Meeting……………………………………3:00 pm
Hot Laps………………………..……………..5:00 pm
Races……….……….….….…………..…….. 6:00 pm

Tuesday night features the Vacuworx invitational Race of Champions in which former winners of the event, and other top finishers from past years participate in a 25 lap feature race.

The entrants in the Race of Champions:

Aaron Reutzel – All-Star Circuit of Champions Champion
Brad Sweet – World of Outlaws Champion
Brady Bacon – USAC Sprint Cars Champion
Cannon McIntosh – 2020 Monday Night Winner
Chad Boat – 2018 VIROC Winner
Chris Windom – USAC Midget Champion
Christopher Bell – 2017-2019 Champion
Daryn Pittman – 2017 Runner-up
Jake Neuman – POWRi Midgets Champion
Justin Grant – 2019 Third Place
Kyle Larson – 2020 Champion
Rico Abreu – 2016 Champion
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. – American Sprint Car Series Champion
Spencer Bayston – 2018 Runner-up
Tanner Thorson – 2019 VIROC Winner
Zach Daum – 2016 Third Place

The full Chili Bowl entry list can be found at this link:

https://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx

Each night’s activities Monday through Friday is streamed on FloRacing.com. Saturday’s program is live on MAVTV.

I will provide updates during the week as we build toward Saturday night/