Steffens ready to race after disappointing Chili Bowl

(Kyle Steffens. Photo by Sam Martin)

STL native and SpeedZone fave Kyle Steffens didn't have the best of Chili Bowls due to some mechanical issues beyond his control, but he's a racer and has a lot planned for '11. Check out the article at the St. Louis Motorsports Examiner.

STL Well-Represented at Chili Bowl

(Kyle Steffens was among the drivers representing St. Louis last week in Tulsa, Okla., at the 25th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals. Photo by Sam Martin.)

For many in the racing world, the Chili Bowl Nationals is THE race to win. Saturday night, Kevin Swindell made history by becoming the first-ever driver to win two in a row. Making it more special was the fact he beat his father, the legendary five-time event winner Sammy Swindell for the second straight year as well.

It was also a big week for St. Louis-area racers with Brad Loyet and Loyet Motorsports well represented in the A-Main with three cars in the show. Loyet driver and New Zealand native Michael Pickens gave the Loyets a great finish, putting them on the podium with a third-place effort. Also making the finale was Belleville, Ill., native Nick Knepper who ran as high as fourth for much of the 50-lap main and eventually finished 15th.

As a new writer for Examiner.com covering St. Louis motorsports, I will provide a full wrap-up of the Gateway City's drivers from last week. Be sure to subscribe to my Examiner page and you can also follow on Facebook.

STL Native Steffens Ready for Chili Bowl

TULSA, Okla.  – Cars are on the track today practicing for the 25^th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals, one of the most prestigious races in the country featuring such stars as NASCAR champion Tony Stewart, NHRA champion Cruz Pedregon, USAC Triple Crown winner JJ Yeley, and five-time event winner Sammy Swindell. Among the 260+ teams competing for the Golden Driller is St. Louis native Kyle Steffens who is making his second attempt to make Saturday night’s 50-lap A-main.

It was here last year where Steffens not only made his Chili Bowl debut, but his debut in an open-wheel midget sprint car. Although he normally drives dirt late models and modifieds and asphalt late models at tracks all over the Midwest, Steffens impressed many in the racing world with his efforts in 2010.

“It is a mix of emotions heading back to the Chili Bowl,” he said Saturday afternoon after arriving in Tulsa. “I feel incredibly lucky to have another opportunity in great equipment. On the other hand it is also stressful getting all of the sponsor obligations together at the last minute, but that is what makes this deal fun. It is a controlled chaos.”

This year, Steffens, 26, is racing for Zach Daum Motorsports, one of the top midget series teams in the Midwest. It is the combination of top-notch equipment and the foundation he built during last year’s Chili Bowl that gives Steffens an injection of confidence this week.

“To be in good company with Zach Daum, and the whole Daum team, gives me a chance to obtain anything with a little bit of luck,” Steffens said. “When you are rolling into a track to compete it is crucial to be in top notch equipment, and have a great crew chief. Daum Motorsports has every bit of this!”

While Steffens, who hopes to run more midget races throughout the 2011 season, knows that only the best of the best have the chance to be one of the 25 drivers to race for the win Saturday, he has high hopes that a combination of luck, ability, experience, and equipment will get him and Zach Daum Motorsports to the A-Main.

“My goals for the 2011 Chili Bowl are as follows: Run top 2 in my heat race, and then have a good run in the qualifier Thursday night to help set me up for Saturdays main event,” he said. “Last year we caught some bad luck, and this year I would really like to capitalize on the knowledge I gained from the 2010 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.

“I really have to thank everyone that came together to support me in my efforts for the 2011 Chili Bowl. Daum Motorsports, I-44 Speedway, Brennon Willard Motorsports, Blue Ridge Motorsports, Performance Plus, and Engines Overnight. Without these people I would not have the great opportunities I have had.”

For full coverage of the 2011 Chili Bowl Nationals, visit RacinBoys.com for analysis and lap-by-lap commentary. For more information on the Chili Bowl, go to ChiliBowl.com.

Chili Bowl Diary: STL's Loyet Makes The Show!

First, let me apologize for the lack of photos. The SpeedZone camera gave up the ghost today. A moment of silence...

STL native and former POWRi champ Brad Loyet had a great Friday night with a dominating heat win and a third-place finish in the A-Main, putting him in the final race Saturday night. Loyet ran (and beat) some of the top names in the sport and has a very real chance of bringing the Golden Driller to the Gateway City.

Tim McCreadie continues to improve and sources tell me he is out of the hospital. T-Mac does not have health insurance and for fans who wish to donate some well-needed cash to his medical fund, visit GatewayRaceway.com and click on the McCreadie story where you can find more information on how to donate.

While we're talking about T-Mac, a shoutout to James Spink and USAC for all the help they are providing Tim. USAC is NOT the official sanction of this race, yet they are doing everything they can to help a racer in need. You don't see a lot of that in other sports.

When you're watching NASCAR on Sundays, it is sometimes hard to recognize just how truly talented these drivers are. Kasey Kahne reminded me tonight why he is racing with some of the biggest names in the sport. He came from near the back during one of the heat races to win and while that's impressive, it's HOW he did it that is noteworthy. Not only did he drive it like he stole it, he made the other drivers overdrive and make mistakes, giving him the win. You want to see REAL artistry on the track? Watch these guys race dirt. Drivers like Dave Blaney may not be too impressive in the Cup Series, but the former Chili Bowl/Knoxville Nationals winner and World of Outlaws champion was, and still is, a sight to see on the dirt.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the final edition of the Chili Bowl diary and head over the SpeedZoneRadio.com tomorrow night for a special Chili Bowl edition of the O'Reilly Auto Parts SpeedZone. And don't forget, the SpeedZone returns to 590 the Fan Saturday, Feb. 7, at 9 a.m. for a TWO-HOUR season kickoff show.

Good night from Tulsa.

Chili Bowl Diary

Be sure to come back here Thursday for the beginning of my Chili Bowl Diary. You'll also want to check out SpeedZoneRadio.com frequently over the next few days for exclusive photos and interivews from one of the biggest races of the year.