Reynoldsville, Pa — Hummingbird Speedway owner Louie Caltagarone and promoter Janney Flora of Chili Promotions have announced that the annual running of the Chili 100 for late models will once again be contested on the 1/3 mile bullring at Hummingbird Speedway in Reynoldsville Pennsylvania on Saturday September 19, 2009. Gates will open at 3pm with racing at 6pm. The 2009 edition of the Chili 100 will be the 10th Annual running of the event, and it will once again be run in memory of Sue Mathews. “Sue was an integral part of Chili Promotions and she was instrumental to the rise in popularity of the Chili 100 before her passing last August, and I think it is only fitting that this special event be run in her memory,” stated Ms. Flora. A memorial lap led by Sue’s son Todd Mathews will be presented during intermission. 2009 will mark the third consecutive year that the Chili 100 will be hosted by Mr. Caltagarone and The Hummingbird Speedway. “When Gamblers closed during the 2007 season, we weren’t sure if we would be able to continue with the Chili 100,” stated Chili Promotions PR representative and Hummingbird Speedway race reporter Robb Thomas. “Louie stepped up and offered to host the race at Hummingbird, and we’ve been here ever since. We’re looking forward to having the event at ‘The Bird’ again.” Thomas describes the Chili 100 as a unique event in this area as it combines the speed and excitement of short track racing, with the strategy and patience required in an endurance race. Fogelman Trucking of Watsontown has signed on as an event sponsor once again. Fogelman Trucking has been a sponsor of the Chili 100 since its inception, and has been on board for all ten events. McGarvey Equipment will be sponsoring the Fan Favorite Driver competition for this years Chili 100.
The Chili 100 was born ten years ago at the request of several late model drivers. “The drivers wanted to do a longer lap event, and I thought this was a good way to reward them after a long season. A lot of our local teams don’t have the funds to travel out of state to compete at some of the larger 100 lap events, so I decided to bring a 100 lap event to our drivers,” said Ms. Flora on the origins of the event. “Ten years is a long time, and I always said when I started this that I wanted to at least have ten races. It really makes me proud to see what we’ve accomplished with this race, and the contributions we have made to charities with the proceeds from the event.” Over the years, the event has been presented at four different speedways, but the format has always stayed the same. 100 laps of dirt late model excitement on a short track. “We needed to name the event, and we threw around several different ideas, but nothing had that ring to it that we were looking for. I had just got a new Chihuahua puppy named Chili so we settled on the Chili 100,” stated Ms. Flora. As the areas only 100 lap late model event, the Chili 100 has become a favorite of fans and race teams in the North Central Pennsylvania region. In the ten years that the Chili 100 has been contested, no driver has ever won the event twice. Past winners include local and regional late model stars, Carl Billet, Jeff Rhine, Al Brewer, Luke Hoffner, Ron Kline, Bud Witmer, Mike Altobelli Jr., Chris Farrell, and last years winner Mike Blose.
The 10th Annual running of the Chili 100 will feature the Dirt Late Models competing in the 100 lap feature for $3000 to win and $200 to start. While the Chili 100 for Late Models is the headline attraction on the card, the late models will be joined by three other divisions for the night’s activities. The always exciting and ultra competitive Street Stocks will compete in the Chili Pepper 50 for $1000 to win in the 50 lap feature. Last years event saw Clearfield racer Denny Curry pick up the big check for the Chili Pepper 50. The wild and crazy Front Wheel Drive 4 Cylinders will be back in action for the 25 lap Chili Smackdown for $250 to win. Will one of Hummingbirds track regulars be able to take home the trophy this year as Mike Lucas of Centre Hall did last year, or will an outsider bring home the big payday in the Chili Smackdown? As an extra attraction, the rejuvenated Pure Stock division has been added to the card this year. “This is the first time in several years that we will have a fourth division, and the Pure Stocks have seen tremendous growth in their division this year, with some great racing each week,” said Ms. Flora. The Pure Stocks will be in action in the 25 lap Chili Dirt Burner for $250 to win. Who will walk away the winner of the inaugural Chili Dirt Burner?
The 10th Annual Chili 100 will continue to be a fan friendly event with General Admission tickets set at $15 and $7 for students Kids 12 & under will be FREE! Birthday cake will be available in the grandstands and in pit areas while supplies last to celebrate Chili the Chihuahua’s birthday, and the first 100 kids to enter the gate will receive a bag of assorted candy. Chili Promotions is also holding a kids coloring contest with prizes to be awarded to the winners in three age groups. The overall winner of the coloring contest will win the grand prize of being the official starter and wave the green flag for the start of the 10th Annual Chili 100! Kids can enter the coloring contest by picking up a picture at the main entrance of the Hummingbird Speedway in the next few weeks. Entries must be returned to the main entrance of the speedway by Sept 12th. There will also be several give-a-ways throughout the night for fans in attendance. Fans can win free passes to the Chili 100 by answering trivia questions that will be posted on the popular racing message board www.racestud.com
Chili Promotions and The Hummingbird Speedway welcome all to enjoy a great night of short track racing excitement at the 10th Annual Sue Mathews Memorial Chili 100! There is plenty of room for everyone with bleachers and lawn chair and blanket viewing areas available. In the event of inclement weather, a rain date of October 3rd has been established. Starting times will be one hour earlier if the rain date is needed. For more information about the Chili 100 and Hummingbird Speedway, visit www.hummingbirdspeedway.com Full payouts are listed on the web site.
Chili 100 for Late Models: $3000 to win $200 to start. $50 entry fee. $50 tow money to non qualifiers.
Chili Pepper 50 for Street Stocks: $1000 to win $80 to start. $30 entry fee. $30 tow money to non qualifiers.
Chili Smackdown 25 for FWD 4 Cyl: $250 to win $40 to start. $10 entry fee. $10 tow money to non qualifiers.
Chili Dirt Burner 25 for Pure Stocks: $250 to win $40 to start. $10 entry fee. $10 tow money to non qualifiers.
Gates open at 3pm with racing at 6pm.
General Admission: $15
Students $7
Kids 12 & under FREE
Pit Admission: $30
Robb Thomas
Race Reporter
Hummingbird Speedway
pr@hummingbirdspeedway.com