TULSA, Okla. — Exceeding the 300 mark for the ninth year in a row, the December 9 deadline for discounted early entry was met with 308 entries so far into the 37th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire.
Adding one more former champion in the mix, New York’s Tim McCreadie, who won his Golden Driller in 2006, will return in the Daugherty Motorsports No. 39t. Other past champions in the mix include Sammy Swindell, Damion Gardner, and defending race winner, Tanner Thorson.
Bringing more international flair, the list of represented countries has grown to include three Canadian drivers, one Australian, and the return of New Zealand Michael Pickens in a Dave Mac – Dalby Motorsports mount. In what will be his 10th appearance since 2005, the nine-time New Zealand Midget Champion has made the big dance six times with a career-best finish in third in 2010.
Keeping with the theme of Dave Mac – Dalby Motorsports, the 300th entry received for the 2023 event was Cannon McIntosh.
In all, the current list of entries includes 46 former A-Feature starters, along with 62 event rookies. Both numbers are expected to grow as the event draws closer as entries are accepted all the way into the final preliminary night.