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 TULSA,
OK (January 6) -- Tracy Hines emerged the winner in the second 25-lap
preliminary in Tulsa leading flag-to-flag for the win. Hines used a
Hoosier RD12 left rear midget tire on night two of the Chili Bowl
Midget Nationals on Thursday. It was another dominating performance by
Team Hoosier with 10 of the 11 heat race winners riding on the Hoosier
brand. Hines was followed to the finish line by four more Hoosier-shod
drivers including Bud Kaeding, Tony Stewart, Gary Wright and Ray Bull.
The second day of racing in Tulsa had 80 drivers
taking their turn attempting to gain entry into Saturday's 50-lap
finale with 67 of them riding on Hoosiers. There were 11 heat races
contested each 10 laps in length. All 10 of the Hoosier-shod heat race
winners captured their wins using the Hoosier D10 compound--Hoosier's
softest dirt tire compound. Hoosier-shod heat race winners included
Kraig Kinser, Bud Kaeding, Steve Knepper, Wally Pankratz, Tracy Hines,
Ryan Hamilton, Gary Taylor, A.J. Fike, Gary Wright and Critter Malone.
Once again, drivers earned "passing points"
during their heat races with the top 16 gaining entry into the night's
25-lap feature, while the remaining drivers had to battle their way
through a series of qualifying races to get into the elite 24-car
field.
In the 25-lap feature, 21 of the 24 starters rode
riding on Hoosier tires. Tracy Hines started on the pole after winning
his heat race from the fifth position. Just like Wednesday's race, it
paid to start up front as Hines led every lap en route to the win
despite challenges from Bud Kaeding and Tony Stewart late in the race.
For the second night in a row, the top finisher used a Hoosier RD12 in
capturing the win. The RD12 compound is the second "softest"
in the Hoosier line-up with the D10 being the softest.
Following Hines to the line was Bud Kaeding (D10),
Tony Stewart (D10), Gary Wright (RD12) and Ray Bull--all on Hoosiers.
The top four finishers also earned starting spots in Saturday's
finale.
The final night of qualifying is Friday with nearly 90
more drivers in action including Kasey Kahne, Bobby East, Dave
Darland, Steve Kinser and Justin Allgaier--son of Hoosier Tire Midwest
owners Mike and Dorothy Allgaier.
The Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is being serviced by
Hoosier Tire Southwest based in Balch Springs, TX. Our thanks to
Hoosier Product Manager Irish Saunders who reported the details used
in this report.
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