He will fly directly into Tulsa after spending the last three weeks in Australia as part of the USA vs Western Australia Speedweek and picking up a win at Bunbury Speedway on Dec. 30.
“I’ve been close in the past, so I think we have it in us to make the big dance,” Smith said. “It’s a big deal, definitely one of dirt’s biggest stages. Hopefully we can get rolling right away and set ourselves up during our qualifying night. I’m excited to get there.”
For the sixth straight year O’Gara, from Indianapolis, Indiana will be behind the wheel of the 67F sponsored by Speedway Indoor Karting and associate sponsors 1911 Grill, Full Throttle Arms, Direct Supply and Indy Trading Post.
O’Gara heads into Chili Bowl fresh off a second-place finish in The Rumble in Fort Wayne after a summer of dirt midget racing around the Midwest.
“I’m ready to get back to Chili Bowl this year and put to use some of the things we’ve learned last season,” O’Gara said. “I’m very confident in the cars the team has prepared and the talent we have on the team. All of our sponsors, including Speedway Indoor Karting, have given us the keys to be successful this week and it is up to us to make it happen.”
Seavey, from Sutter, California, is with the team for a second straight year after a plethora of competition in 2017 in sprint cars, midgets and outlaw kart competition with multiple wins including victories at Cycleland Speedway and Red Bluff Outlaws. Seavey will drive the No. 68F sponsored by Hartman Oil.
“I’m excited to be back with SFH Racing Development again this year,” Seavey said. “We’re looking to build on last year and the team has put in a tremendous amount of work to get ready. I know this team has what it takes.
“I have to thank all of the sponsors especially Wink Hartman with Hartman Oil. Without them none of this would be possible.”
Associate sponsors for the team include: Direct Supply, Jimmy’s Egg, Speedway Customs, 1911 Grill, Full Throttle Arms, Indy Trading Post and Business Art Designs.
Practice for the Chili Bowl begins today at the Tulsa Expos Raceway inside the River Spirit Expo Center. The marquee week-long midget event will once again feature four preliminary events before the finale on Jan. 13 with the top 24 drivers from the week competing for the coveted Golden Driller. Starting positions in the A Feature are determined by points received during qualifications.
Seavey is scheduled to qualify for the championship event on Tuesday in the Warren Cat Qualifying night. Smith will qualify during the Hard Rock Casino night on Wednesday and O’Gara will compete in the John Christner Trucking Qualifying night on Thursday.
For the fifth year, the Chili Bowl will be streamed online at
www.racinboys.com. The pay-per-view broadcast will run from
Tuesday through
Saturday’s qualifiers. Final features will be televised live on the MAVTV American Real network. For a complete listing of channels and to request MAVTV, visit
www.mavtv.com.
For more information and continuous updates from the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, visit
www.chilibowl.com.
Follow O’Gara at @kyleogara, Seavey at @tseav4 and Smith at @ryansmithracing on Twitter and Instagram through the week for updates.
SFH Racing Development was started by Sarah Fisher and her husband, Andy O’Gara, in partnership with Wink Hartman and Hartman Oil as a way to find young racing talent and groom them through multiple series on their way to a professional career in racing.
