Inside Line Promotions – AUBURN, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2014) – A busy week is around the corner for Cole Wood Racing, which embarks upon the 28th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire from Jan. 14-18.
The three-car team, which includes Californians Cole Wood, Dominic Scelzi and Chase Johnson, will kick off the action during the practice night on Monday, Jan. 13, before the trio challenges nearly 300 of the premier race car drivers during the five-day midget event at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla.
“This is a huge learning experience for everybody,” Wood said. “If all cars can make it to the B Main, the C Main or even the D Main, I’d say it’d be a successful Chili Bowl.”
This will mark Wood’s third race at the event and his first midget race since last year’s Chili Bowl. However, his team is planning on approximately 15-20 midget races this season so Wood is looking forward to getting more comfortable in the class.
“I haven’t done any midget stuff in it seems like forever,” he said. “We’re going to the Chili Bowl to have some fun and learn some stuff.”
In addition to the competition, the three drivers are making a special trip to The Children’s Hospital at St. Francis in Tulsa the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 14, with the Big Al Kids & Motorsports Foundation. Konnected Clothing Co., which is an apparel company based in Rio Linda, Calif., printed approximately 60 white t-shirts with “2014 Chili Bowl” and the outline of a midget on them. The drivers will take the shirts and fabric crayons to hand out to the children at the hospital.
“I can’t thank Tommy Hall and Konnected Clothing enough for doing that,” Wood said. “I also want to give a huge thanks to Gary Isom, Adam Clark and everybody who has helped build the midgets. Sparco gave us some cool suits, Gary Morgan Graphics has the cars looking sharp and everyone at Elk Grove Ford has been very supportive.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Anthony Knighten, who has a ton of wins in the midgets. And I want to thank Dominic’s and Chase’s parents for letting them head out to Tulsa and race with us.”
Scelzi, who hails from Fresno, Calif., will be making his Chili Bowl debut. The son of four-time NHRA champion Gary Scelzi, Dominic picked up a trio of sprint car victories in 2013 and is excited for the challenge the Chili Bowl presents.
“I’m very thankful to be given this phenomenal opportunity by Elk Grove Ford and everybody in the Wood family,” he said. “I have high expectations. I’m hoping I can go and be competitive. As a team I feel we are taking three of the best midgets in the country to the biggest midget race in the world. The three of us have been racing a lot the past few years. Even though we don’t have a lot of midget experience, I feel we can still race with all of these good race car drivers that are there. I really want to make the main event. That’s a dream of mine to start the Chili Bowl.”
Johnson, a native of Penngrove, Calif., is also making his first career Chili Bowl start. In fact, the event will be his first-ever race in a midget for the sprint car driver who rose through the outlaw karting ranks.
“We’re going to go in planning on making the main,” he said. “I know that’s a tall order, but that’s what we’re showing up for. I’m blessed to have the opportunity with Cole Wood Racing and I’m looking forward to having a great week.
“I’ve been told you’ve got to be aggressive, but you can’t be too aggressive at the same time. You have to play all of your cards right and see where it takes you.”
Fans can watch the Cole Wood Racing trio on live Pay-Per-View from the Chili Bowl. Visit http://www.RacinBoys.com for more information.
UP NEXT –
Tuesday through Saturday, Jan. 14-18, at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla., for the 28th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.ColeWoodRacing.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wood17w
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cole-Wood-Racing/246046125428603?fref=ts
APPAREL –
Wood has t-shirts and hats available at his race car trailer at every race. For a schedule of events, visit http://www.ColeWoodRacing.com.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Elk Grove Ford
Elk Grove Ford is a leading Ford dealership located in Elk Grove, Calif. For more information about the business or how to purchase a vehicle from Elk Grove Ford, visit http://www.ElkGroveFord.com.
“Elk Grove Ford is one of my main supporters,” Wood said. “I wouldn’t be out here racing for victories without the support of Elk Grove Ford.”
Wood would also like to thank A.R.T. Speed Equipment, Roush Yates Racing Engines, Wion’s Body Shop, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Awesome Racewear, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, CSI Shocks, Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center, NorCal Boxer Rescue and The Joie of Seating for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports teams. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program and to join Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or InsideLinePromotions@gmail.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
- Shawn Miller on Jan 06, 2014
- Article Date: 1/6/2014 by Inside Line Promotions