Tony Stewart helped guide Brad Loyet back to the cockpit
Bryan Hulbert – TULSA, Okla. (December 28, 2018) The 33rd Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Presented by General Tire will be one of mixed emotions for the Loyet family as Brad Loyet will get behind the wheel of the Loyet Landscaping/Vacuworx No. 05 one last time before he hangs up the helmet.
Taken out of the seat in February 2018 when a wheel exploded while inflating a tire, Loyet was rushed into surgery and has since been recovering from multiple breaks that required a pair of plates in his forearm. Brad also suffered wounds to his thigh.
“The 2018 Chili Bowl was the last race I ran before I got hurt so getting back in the car, it’s all about peace of mind. Had I gone into the Chili Bowl last year having made the decision that race was going to be my last one, I would have been fine with that, but not having that choice….I’m not going out like that. Getting back in the car, I get to go out on my terms,” Loyet said.
A part of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Presented by General Tire since 2004, the former VIROC winner has made the big show on five occasions with a best finish of 10th in 2009.
Aside from Chili Bowl success, Loyet made a name for himself in both Midget and Sprint Car action, amassing a trio of Lucas Oil POWRi National Midget Championships, as well as a several championship runs with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by Sawblade.com where he earned 160 A-Feature starts resulting in nine wins, 63 top-five, and 106 top-ten finishes as well as 13 ASCS Regional triumphs.
With work still to be done on his Spike/Esslinger mount, Brad will have two chances to shake down the car with Monday practice and Tuesday’s VIROC before attempting to qualify on Friday.
“I’ve been working on everything to be as comfortable in the car as possible. It’s going to be a challenge, and I’ve had some people call this decision a little selfish considering everything, but my family has been 100% behind me to get back in the car and finish this out. For everything they’ve done, I can never thank my parents, and especially my Wife enough.”
Along with his family, Brad also gave a special nod to Tony Stewart, who has been instrumental in getting Brad back in the car.
“Tony has been crucial to all of this. He’s been able to guide me to the correct people that have been able to give me the correct care and physical therapy. That’s made all the difference in allowing me to get back in the car,” Loyet concluded.
The 33rd annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire takes place January 14-19, 2019 at the Tulsa Expo Raceway, located inside the River Spirit Expo Center in Tulsa, Okla.
Monday and Tuesday tickets are on sale. Monday and Tuesday reserved seats are $54 each. The Pit Pass is sold at the event and includes a General Admission pass good for seating on the backstretch. Pit Passes are $45/weekday and $60 on Saturday.
For continued updates on the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, fans can follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with @CBNationals. All official press, updates, and results on the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire can be found online at http://www.chilibowl.com.
Quick Notes:
What: 33rd annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
When: January 14-19, 2019
Where: River Spirit Expo Center – Tulsa Expo Raceway 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74114
Parking: January 12, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. (CT)
Entry Information:
Late Entry ($200): December 15, 2018 – January 18, 2019
Entry Blank: http://www.chilibowl.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=72453
Return Entries Via:
Phone: (918) 838-3777
Fax: (918) 836-5517
Mail: 1141 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112
Entries will not be accepted via Social Media.
Contact:
Phone: (918) 838-3777
Fax: (918) 836-5517
Mail: 1141 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112
Chili Bowl Online:
Website: http://www.chilibowl.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chilibowlnationals
Twitter: (@cbnationals)
Official Hashtag: #ChiliBowl2019
Instagram: cbnationals
Snap Chat: TheChiliBowl
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Champions:
Year – Driver (Owner)
2018 – Christopher Bell (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2017 – Christopher Bell (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2016 – Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2015 – Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2014 – Bryan Clauson (Joe Dooling/Rusty Kunz/Curb Records)
2013 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2012 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2011 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2010 – Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2009 – Sammy Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2008 – Damion Gardner (Jason Leffler)
2007 – Tony Stewart (Tony Stewart Motorsports)
2006 – Tim McCreadie (Steve Smith)
2005 – Tracy Hines (Wilke – Pak)
2004 – Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
2003 – Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
2002 – Tony Stewart (Keith Kunz)
2001 – Jay Drake (Keith Kunz)
2000 – Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
1999 – Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
1998 – Sammy Swindell (Pete Willoughby)
1997 – Billy Boat (John Lawson)
1996 – Sammy Swindell (Rusty Kunz / Jay McKinnie)
1995 – Donnie Beechler (Zarounian Motorsports)
1994 – Andy Hillenburg (Keith Kunz / Rusty Kunz)
1993 – Dave Blaney (Ralph Potter)
1992 – Sammy Swindell (Dave Ellis)
1991 – Lealand McSpadden (Andy Bondio)
1990 – John Heydenreich (Tony Finley)
1989 – Sammy Swindell (Jack Runyon)
1988 – Scott Hatton (Jerry Hatton)
1987 – Rich Vogler (Bob Lowe)
VIROC Champions: Chad Boat (2018), Kyle Larson (2014 and 2017), Tanner Thorson (2016), Sammy Swindell (2015, 2012, 2011, 2009), Kevin Swindell (2013), Brad Loyet (2010)
Trade Show: A long-standing tradition at the Chili Bowl, the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Monday through Saturday), is free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 vendors. The Trade Show still has space available. Anyone looking to be a part of the Trade Show can contact the Chili Bowl office at 918-838-3777. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Chili Bowl: Sponsors
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. More information about the products available from Lucas Oil can be found at http://www.lucasoil.com. General Tire is the presenting sponsor of the Chili Bowl. A complete inventory of tires offered by General Tire can be found at http://www.generaltire.com.
Vacuworx Global is the title sponsor of the VIROC which brings past Chili Bowl Champions as well as champions from around the world together for a single 20 lap race to see who is the best of the best. For more information about Vacuworx log onto www.vacuworx.com. For more information on past champions of the VIROC, log onto www.theviroc.com.
More
Brad Loyet is interested in an invite to the Gateway Dirt Nationals
Tony Stewart helped Tim McCreadie when he suffered an injury
See photos from Brad Loyet’s injury
Links
Chili Bowl Nationals | Loyet Motorsports | BP Fab | Gateway Dirt Nationals
Related
DIRT Midget: Loyet Motorsports Enters Six Drivers Into 26th Chili Bowl Nationals 
Jeffrey Earnhardt is set to run the 2019 Chili Bowl Nationals 
Brad Loyet would be interested in an invite to the Gateway Dirt Nationals 
Ryan Newman comments on his return to dirt racing; Wants to run Chili Bowl Nationals
