MADISON, IL. - Gateway Motorsports Park is offering a unique contingency award opportunity for the more than 350 racers competing in the 33rd Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals this week in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Drivers who share a social media post to signify that they are participating in the Gateway Challenge can earn an additional $500 cash bonus for winning Saturday night’s main event courtesy of the multi-purpose motorsports venue located in St. Louis.
‘We’ve been huge supporters, and fans, of the Chii Bowl Midget Nationals for many years,’ said Gateway Motorsports Park Executive Vice President and General Manager Chris Blair. “We’ve developed great friendships in the pit area and want to do something that rewards the drivers that make this event so special.”
Instead of a complicated contingency program that involves running a decal, as has been the standard for most of the history of racing, drivers simply need to sign up for the program via their social media accounts. Drivers who share a prepared message that they are taking the #GatewayChallenge prior to 9 p.m. on Thursday evening are eligible.
Should a driver who participates in the campaign wins the event he will receive a $500 cash bonus to be presented following the race by track owner Curtis Francois and Blair. If the driver winning the race did not participate in the program, Gateway will award a $200 bonus to the highest finishing A-main finisher who did participate.
“Nearly all of the drivers have strong grassroots followings on their social media accounts,’ continued Blair. “Our goal is that their fans will engage in the campaign and support the various @gatewaymsp social platforms. Our focus, from day one, has been to bridge the gap between short tracks fans and the Indycar, NASCAR and NHRA events we host at Gateway Motorsports Park. This is a simple and easy way for us to take another step in those efforts and reward drivers.”
Gateway has supported numerous teams throughout the years at the event, but this is the first time offering a rewards program. Current NASCAR Cup driver Alex Bowman and World 100 winner Tim McCreadie have both had support from Gateway in the past and the track sponsored an event entry for Austin Blair in 2017 and 2018.
The official Chili Bowl social media account will tweet the following message and drivers simply have to retweet for their chance to win:
I’m taking the #GatewayChallenge @cbnationals for a shot at $500! Follow @GatewayMSP – The home of @Indycar @NASCAR @NHRA and @GatewayKartplex in St. Louis. They support REAL RACERS.
While not necessary, drivers are also asked to share the post on Facebook and Instagram to help with the campaign.
The deadline for driver retweets and postings to sign-up is 9 p.m. Thursday.
- Bryan Hulbert on Jan 15, 2019
- Article Date: 1/15/2019