LAKELAND, Fla. – Driver Jeff Champagne and team owner Marc Dailey are joining forces to run the 36th annual Lucas Oil Chili-Bowl Nationals set to begin on Jan. 10.
Champagne will be making his third attempt to race in the prestigious event driving a white and black Hotsy-Clean-sponsored No. 12M Spike Chassis midget.
“This will now be my third time on the Chili Bowl dirt and I’m looking forward to using what I’ve learned to have an even better understanding of the changes it goes through,” Champagne said. “Having a race car that delivers consistency in each lap builds your confidence.”
In last year’s Chili-Bowl, Champagne teamed with one of USAC’s youngest owner-drivers in Sam Johnson and won the F main feature.
A 10th-place result in the E feature, however, kept Champagne from advancing further.
“Last year’s Chili Bowl provided me and Sam plenty of challenges,” Champagne said. “Being that Sam is a young driver too, we are thankful for the experiences we went through because of what they’ve taught.
“Though it has taken me longer than I’d ever anticipated. I am now heading into 2022 backed by the strongest group of manufacturers, sponsors and people in my career.”
In addition to Hotsy-Clean, Champagne’s entry is supported by Pease Plumbing & Heating, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Vahlco Racing Wheels, K1 RaceGear, JS Customs and Indy Racing Experience.