TULSA, Okla. - Corey Day led all but one lap en route to his first career Chili Bowl Nationals preliminary win on Wednesday night at Oklahoma’s Tulsa Expo Raceway..
It also marked the first win for car owner Willie Kahne.
“It’s crazy, it’s definitely crazy. I think they said my best prelim run here in ninth, and this is only my third Chili Bowl,” Day said. “I have laps around here in a micro at the Shootout. I actually have a restricted driller like eight years ago. It’s been a while since I’ve had some success in this building, so I’m glad to be back.”
Chasing Jake Swanson through the opening lap, Day shot low on entry into the first turn, and drove to the top spot. Surviving several restarts, Swanson was able to close but never able to overtake Day, as Swanson had to fend off the repeated challenges of Michael Faccinto.
Dropping to third on lap 22, Swanson stayed the course on the cushion to retake the final transfer spot into Saturday’s 55-lap championship event on lap 25. Day was able to pull away by 1.957-seconds.
Briggs Danner finished in third, with Faccinto settled in fourth, and Colby Copeland in fifth. Kale Drake, Tyler Courtney, Brent Crews, and Jerry Coons, Jr. rounded out the top ten.
Racing continues in the 38th annual Chili Bowl Nationals on Thursday with Victory Fuel Qualifying Night. For more information, visit ChiliBowl.com.
Chili Bowl Nationals
Tulsa Expo Raceway – Tulsa, OK
York Plumbing Qualifying Night – January 10, 2024
1. 41-Corey Day*
2. 55A-Jake Swanson*
3. 1I-Briggs Danner
4. 5U-Michael Faccinto
5. 27W-Colby Copeland
6. 71K-Kale Drake
7. 71-Jade Avedisian
8. 57-Tyler Courtney
9. 67K-Brent Crews
10. 7X-Jerry Coons, Jr.
11. 5D-Michael Stewart
12. 3W-Brandon Waelti
13. 83M-Rylan Gray
14. 3G-Kyle Cummins
15. 52-Blake Hahn
16. 86-Daison Pursley
17. 25M-Alex Bright
18. 60X-Garet Williamson
19. 4B-Chelby Hinton
20. 1A-Trey Osborne
21. 16C-David Camfield, Jr.
22. 8J-Jonathan Beason-DNF
23. 45S-Caleb Stelzig-DNF
24. 19T-Mitchel Moles-DNF
*Top 2 advance to Saturday’s A-Feature
