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Logan Seavey earned his third career preliminary win at the Chili Bowl Nationals on Friday night. (Richard Bales photo)
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Seavey Goes Seventh-To-First, Steals Prelim Win From Timms

January 13, 2024

TULSA, Okla. — The battle for the lead during Hard Rock Casino Tulsa Qualifying Night at the 38th annual Chili Bowl Nationals went down to the wire between Ryan Timms and Logan Seavey.

Up until lap 28, the No. 67 Keith Kunz Motorsports driver had led 20 total laps after starting from the pole. On the other hand, after struggling through the qualifier and starting seventh in the A main, Seavey had worked his way up to second. 

With two laps to go, Seavey threw one final slider on Timms and stole the position away as the clock wound down. 

The crowd at SageNet Center erupted as the driver of Kevin Swindell’s No. 39 midget parked it in victory lane, winning his second consecutive preliminary feature at Chili Bowl. Seavey also won Monday’s Invitational Race of Champions.

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Logan Seavey charged seventh to first in Friday’s A main. (Richard Bales photo)

“Almost lost a little bit of hope after starting seventh and not moving much early, but as soon as everyone kind of settled in, I could make a lot of passes,” Seavey said. “You have to win your prelim night in order to be in a good place to win tomorrow. Wins here are tough to come by.” 

Timms crossed the line in second place — his best preliminary finish of his three-year Chili Bowl career. While grateful to lock straight into Saturday’s A main, the No. 67 driver was also frustrated to give up the win in the waning laps.

“I really thought I had it there at the end when I started playing a little bit of defense, but Logan (Seavey) was just better,” Timms said. “I’m really not that excited, to be honest. I really wanted to win that race, but it makes it a lot better knowing I don’t need to do anything until the A main tomorrow.”

Andrew Felker completed the podium with his No. 11a midget, while Steven Snyder Jr. finished fourth. 

B main winner Emerson Axsom charged hard through the pack, going 18th to fifth in the 30-lapper. 

On the other end of the spectrum, there were several contenders taken out during the race, including Ricky Stenhouse Jr. who tagged the wall on lap two. Another prelim favorite, RMS Racing’s Justin Grant, tumbled while running third midway through the race and scored 20th. 

Feature Results (30 Laps)

1. Logan Seavey, 2. Ryan Timms, 3. Andrew Felker, 4. Steven Snyder Jr., 5. Emerson Axsom, 6. Bryant Wiedeman, 7. Daryn Pittman, 8. Ace McCarthy, 9. Gavin Miller, 10. Cale Coons, 11. Frankie Guerrini, 12. Ronnie Gardner, 13. Tim McCreadie, 14. Chris Andrews, 15. Michael Hubert, 16. Jody Rosenboom, 17. Shane Cottle, 18. Jace Park, 19. Donovan Peterson, 20. Justin Grant (DNF), 21. Hunter Schuerenberg (DNF), 22. Tyler Edwards (DNF), 23. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (DNF), 24. Luke Hall (DNF)