Abreu drives to Chili Bowl Wednesday qualifying win

TULSA, Okla. - Rico Abreu had to roll out a new car for his qualifying run after a massive flip during Tuesday’s Vacuworx Invitational Race of Champions.

Even with the new mount, Abreu rolled into victory lane for the sixth consecutive year on Wednesday’s Circle City Raceway Qualifying Night for at the 35th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at Oklahoma’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.

“This Keith Kunz Motorsports Team, they are so good at setting up a car to get better as the race goes on,” the California racer said. “It’s really rewarding to drive for such an unbelievable team.”

Abreu went unchallenged through the duration of the 30-lap feature after powering to the lead from the pole.

Abreu built up a 2.906-second lead before the caution flew for a flip by Robert Dalby in the second turn after contact from Parker Price-Miller. Back under greet, Abreu quickly pulled away, but would be slowed once more on lap 24 by a caution flag.

When the race resumed, Abreu drove to a 3.588-second advantage at the finish. Alex Bright finished in second to lock into his third Chili Bowl Championship A-Feature, along with Abreu.

Brad Sweet finished in third, with Jake Neuman in fourth and Colby Copeland in fifth.

Kevin Thomas, Jr., Jake Swanson, Daniel Robinson, Price-Miller and Giovanni Scelzi rounded out the top 10.

Dawsonville, Georgia’s Chase Elliott worked his way as high as the second B-Feature earlier in the evening, finishing in eighth place in the 15-lap race. He will have to race his way into Saturday night’s A-Feature.

Action continues on Thursday, with John Christner Trucking Qualifying Night. For more information, visit ChiliBowl.com.

Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals
Tulsa Expo Raceway – Tulsa, OK
Circle City Raceway Qualifying Night – January 13, 2021

1. Rico Abreu
2. Alex Bright
3. Brad Sweet
4. Jake Neuman
5. Colby Copeland
6. Kevin Thomas, Jr.
7. Jake Swanson
8. Daniel Robinson
9. Parker Price-Miller
10. Giovanni Scelzi
11. Sammy Swindell
12. Brian Carber
13. Brandon Waelti
14. Emerson Axsom
15. Tyler Thomas
16. Colten Cottle
17. Steven Shebester
18. Brett Moffitt
19. Max Adams
20. Jeff Stasa
21. Robert Dalby
22. Chase Randall
23. Kameron Key
24. A.J. Hopkins

Rico Abreu led wire-to-wire en route to the win in Wednesday's Circle City Raceway Qualifying Night for the Chili Bowl Nationals at the Tulsa Expo Raceway. Photo: Michael Fry

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