McCarl Joins O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals Field

TULSA, Okla. (January 4, 2007) – The rookie crop for the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals just got tougher, as Iowa's Terry McCarl has thrown his hat into the mix for the prestigious event, which takes place Tuesday through Saturday of next week, January 9-13, at the Tulsa Expo Raceway.

McCarl, an accomplished Sprint Car ace, makes his Midget racing debut aboard the Pace Brothers Racing Chevy-powered No. 44 Beast. Slated for Friday night's Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying night, McCarl is teamed with Don Droud, Jr., and Shane Cottle, both of whom made last year's O'Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals championship finale aboard Pace Brothers entries.

After capturing six consecutive Knoxville Raceway championships from 1999 to 2004, McCarl took to the road with the World of Outlaws on a full-time basis in 2005. McCarl ranked ninth in 2006 World of Outlaws points, scoring three feature wins along the way.

Overall, McCarl posted eleven feature triumphs in 2006, including a season-opening $10,000 score in East Bay Raceway Park's ASCS-sanctioned Ronald Laney Memorial, the final event of the "King of the 360's" Nationals in Tampa, FL, on January 28.

McCarl has recorded well over 200 feature wins over the course of his career and sets his sights on the Golden Driller Trophy next weekend.

Additional O’Reilly Chili Bowl information:

What: 21st Annual O’Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside the Tulsa Exposition Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds

When:
January 9-13, 2007
Tuesday – Warren CAT Pre-Qualifying Night
Wednesday - Creek Nation Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Bass Pro Shops Qualifying Night
Friday – Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Qualifying Night
Saturday - Oklahoma Dodge Dealers Championship Saturday Feature Events

Past Winners: Tim McCreadie (2006), Sammy Swindell (1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Tracy Hines (2005), Tony Stewart (2002), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).

Current Entries: 278 entries from 28 different states as well as Australia, surpassing the 2006 Chili Bowl record of 260 competitors.

Past winners already entered include Tony Stewart, Sammy Swindell, Cory Kruseman, Dan Boorse, Tracy Hines and defending race champion Tim McCreadie.

Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Wednesday through Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.

Preferred Parking: A limited number of Preferred Parking spaces are still available for all five nights of the O’Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.

Buffet: The cafeteria at the east end of the Tulsa Expo Center will offer an all-you-can-eat buffet each day at just $12 for adults and only $6 for children ten years of age and under. The buffet is available from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and then 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets: Four-night tickets for Wednesday through Saturday of the 21st Annual O’Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals were depleted at the end of June. General admission for Tuesday night's Pre-Qualifying event will be available at the gate for $20 per person. Pit passes for all five nights are available.

O’Reilly Chili Bowl on the Net: All five nights of racing action will be webcast live at www.racinboys.com . Complete information, including entry lists, updates and official results is available at www.chilibowl.com .

Additional information regarding the O’Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at www.chilibowl.com  or by calling 918-838-3777.