TULSA, Okla. – Seventeen drivers will do battle in Tuesday night’s Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions, the annual all-star event featured as part of Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals race week.
Led by defending event winner Tanner Thorson, the field for VIROC XII features drivers who meet any of the following criteria:
– Podium finishers from the previous five Chili Bowl Saturday A-mains
– Top-two finishers from the previous five VIROC events
– Preliminary night winners from the 2019 Chili Bowl Nationals
– 2019 series champions from the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, ASCS National Tour, All Star Circuit of Champions, USAC National Midget Series, USAC National Sprint Car Series and POWRi National Midget League
Despite the removal of the prior stipulations, featuring past Chili Bowl driver champions, owner champion picks and all former VIROC winners, all three drivers currently active in competition who have won the VIROC during its 11-year history are eligible to compete in this year’s edition.
Thorson picked up his second VIRCO victory a year ago, while Sammy Swindell is the all-time VIROC wins leader with four triumphs (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015) and Kyle Larson has topped the invitational twice (2014, 2017).
Former winners Chad Boat (2018), Kevin Swindell (2013) and Brad Loyet (2010) have all stepped back or retired from driving, and of those three, only Boat would have been eligible to race in the 2020 VIROC.
The event has been extended from 20 laps to 25 laps this year, and as opposed to prior years when the lineup was set up by a random draw, this year’s grid for the VIROC will be determined by group qualifying.
Following the time trial session, the top eight on speed will be inverted for the final lineup.
The full entry list for the Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions, as well as their eligibility criteria, can be viewed below.
Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions Entry List – Jan. 14, 2020
Driver – Eligibility
Christopher Bell – 2017-19 Chili Bowl Winner
Daryn Pittman – Runner-up, 2017 Chili Bowl Nationals
Spencer Bayston – Third Place, 2018 Chili Bowl Nationals
Damion Gardner – Third Place, 2015 Chili Bowl Nationals
Zach Daum – Third Place, 2016 Chili Bowl Nationals
Logan Seavey – Monday Night 2019 Prelim Winner
Kyle Larson – Tuesday Night 2019 Prelim Winner
Rico Abreu – Wednesday Night 2019 Prelim Winner
Justin Grant – Friday Night 2019 Prelim Winner
Tanner Thorson – 2019 VIROC Winner
Sammy Swindell – 2015 VIROC Winner
Brad Sweet – 2019 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Champion
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. – 2019 Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Champion
Aaron Reutzel – 2019 All Star Circuit of Champions Titlist
Jesse Colwell – POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League Champion
Tyler Courtney –NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Champion
C.J. Leary –AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Champion
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