Live on HBO Pay-Per-View
TULSA, OKLAHOMA (December 6, 2007) – For the first time ever, race fans can watch the prestigious Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals featuring a who’s who of racing stars, including NASCAR’s Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne, who’ll battle aboard 800-hp midgets for one of the most coveted trophies in motorsport. Broadcasted live worldwide by HBO Pay-Per-View, the star-studded dirt track race takes place on Saturday, January 12, 2008 from Tulsa, Okla.
“Where are you going to go in the country where you have 250 of the best all in one place for four days running for one prize?” asks Stewart, the 2007 defending champion. “You win this race, you’ve got bragging rights for a year.”
Since its 1987 inception, the annual Chili Bowl has built a reputation as one of the premier and most unique motorsports events in America. Champions from various racing circuits travel to Tulsa’s QuikTrip Center during auto racing’s winter break for the opportunity to compete on the indoor, quarter mile-banked dirt oval in front of a sold-out crowd lucky enough to secure tickets the summer before.
“Every year, the Chili Bowl is one of the hardest tickets to get in racing,” says Emmett Hahn, who organizes the event with Lanny Edwards. “This telecast puts you there live, but from the comfort of your living room.”
For its 22nd edition, the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals draws an all-star line-up featuring Stewart, the defending 2007 champion, and Kahne, both former open-wheel stars before NASCAR. Competition includes top stars from all disciplines, including four-time winner Sammy Swindell, World of Outlaws star Joey Saldana, NHRA drag racing stars Cruz Pedregon and Gary Scelzi, plus NASCAR drivers and former USAC stars JJ Yeley and Jason Leffler. Numerous sprint and midget champions from around the country make it the toughest dirt track race of the year.
“The level of competition is what really makes this race so appealing to Lucas Oil and race enthusiasts,” says Bob Patison, vice president and legal counsel of Lucas Oil. “The drivers approach the event with an all or nothing attitude.”
The prize is the coveted Golden Driller trophy won by the top finisher in a 50-lap championship feature on the final night (Saturday, Jan. 12) after four nights of qualifying.
Motorsports Media Entertainment is promoting the broadcast in conjunction with HBO Pay-Per-View and title sponsor Lucas Oil. NeWave TV Productions of Tinley Park, Ill. is handling the event TV production. General Tire and Dodge are presenting sponsors.
“HBO Pay-Per-View is thrilled to bring its second prestigious dirt track racing pay-per-view event to a worldwide television audience,” says Tammy Ross, vice president and general manager of HBO Pay-Per-View. “Our goal is to capture the excitement and competitiveness of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals for fans who cannot be in Tulsa.”
The live broadcast on Saturday, January 12 begins at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT), with an immediate pay-per-view replay and additional replays on Sunday. The HBO Pay-Per-View racing telecast has a suggested retail price $24.95 and will be available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes in the United States and Canada and millions more worldwide. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming in the pay-per-view industry. Ordering information is available at www.hbo.com.
Viewers are encouraged to contact their local cable operator or satellite provider to order the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals. Customers must have digital cable or satellite service to order. A subscription to HBO is not required.
The Chili Bowl represents one of several special auto racing events that Motorsports Media Entertainment and HBO Pay-Per-View plan to offer as a premium live broadcast to auto racing fans.
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