News

Former USAC Ford Focus Midget National Champion Robbie Ray entered for run at 2011 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

December 21, 2010 (Davenport, Iowa) - Robbie Ray, a former United States Auto Club National Ford Focus Midget Champion and Badger Midget Auto Racing Association Rookie of the Year, will make his Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals debut this January at Tulsa, Oklahoma's QuikTrip Center.

Ray, who earned several feature event victories and two championships with the USAC Ford Focus Midget Series, moved to National Midgets in 2007. Over the past four seasons Ray has been participating on a limited basis with various National Midget sanctioning bodies. Ray will pilot the Ray Racing Enterprises/Spike/Mopar entry owned and crew chiefed by his father Mark Ray.

"I have visited the Chili Bowl a few times as a spectator," said Ray, "and I had a desire to race there since my first visit. I am really looking forward to the trip."

Ray showed versatility as a driver in the USAC Ford Focus Midget Series by winning at many prestigious venues both on dirt and pavement. One of those victories included the inaugural event in the Southern Illinois Center at the famed fairgrounds in DuQuoin, IL. While a smaller track than the QuikTrip Center, Ray feels the experience he gained there could be useful.

"I think it gives me at least some idea of what to expect as a driver. I think the biggest thing about an indoor event like the Chili Bowl is to be smooth on and off the throttle and to try and avoid wrecks in front of you because everything happens so fast."

The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals begins January 11th and continues to January 15th. The field, which will consist of over 250 drivers including stars of NASCAR, NHRA, World of Outlaws and other Nationally recognized sanctioning bodies, will slowly be narrowed down to the top 24 in the world. The drivers will compete for a prize worth 10,000 dollars and their name forever engraved in the history books. The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is expected to be aired nationally on a taped delayed basis on SPEED sometime this February.

Former INEX Legend Car Dirt National Champion to pilot Ray Racing Enterprises Entry at the 2011 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

December 10, 2010 (Davenport, Iowa) – Former Legend Car Dirt National Champion and Young Lions Legend Car National points titlist Chris Springer will make his Chili Bowl Midget Nationals debut in January at Tulsa, Oklahoma’s QuikTrip Center in the second Ray Racing Enterprises entry as a teammate to former USAC National Ford Focus Midget Champion Robbie Ray.

Springer dominated the 2003 version of the INEX Legend Car Dirt Nationals at the Joplin 66 Speedway in Joplin, MO by winning every event he entered including both Semi-Pro class heat races, the Semi-Pro A-main event and the coveted “King of the Hill” event which pitted the top Legend Car drivers from each class against each other.

Springer will pilot the Ray Racing Enterprises/Electrical Systems Inc/Metal Masters Machine & Tool/Beast/Gaerte Chevy with former USAC Ford Focus Midget Championship car owner Mark Ray turning the wrenches.

 “I am really looking forward to the opportunity,” said an elated Springer, “I can’t thank those who are making this opportunity a reality for me enough especially Mark and Robbie.”

Very unique circumstances surround Springer and the car that he will pilot in his first Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. The chassis that will carry him was the car that Davey Ray piloted to his first career National Midget victory at the Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, WI in 2000. Davey Ray’s first feature win also happened to be the initial victory for the then newly launched Mopar National Midget Engine. This in and of itself is unique; however, it doesn’t end there. The car then took Robbie Ray to his initial United States Auto Club victory and the 2003 Mid-West Ford Focus Midget Championship.

“I think the record that car has is astounding,” exclaimed Springer who wrenched on the car for Robbie Ray during the 2003 season, “I never thought I would actually be driving it, especially at such a prestigious event.”

Mark Ray has this to say about Springer as a driver, “He was always one of those drivers to watch even when he raced go-karts as a teenager. He will do a fine job.”

The Chili Bowl Midget Nationals begins January 11th and continues to January 15th. The field which will consist of over 250 drivers including stars of NASCAR, NHRA, World of Outlaws, and other Nationally recognized sanctioning bodies will slowly be narrowed down to the top 24 in the world. The drivers will compete for a prize worth 10,000 dollars and their name forever engraved in the history books.
The Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is expected to be aired nationally on a taped delayed basis on SPEED at a date to be determined.