Tony Stewart set to run Chili Bowl Midget race in January

Tony Stewart has filed an entry to the biggest Midget car race of the year in the upcoming Chili Bowl Nationals, where he is looking to win his record-tying third “Golden Driller” trophy.

The Chili Bowl is the most prestigious Midget race of the year and attracts drivers from all across the country and from several disciplines. The first event was contested in 1987 and has been held annually ever since from the indoor Tulsa Expo Center in Tulsa, Okla.

The event begins on Jan. 8 and concludes with the A-main finale on Jan. 12.

Stewart finished 10th in last year’s Chili Bowl after missing the race for three-consecutive seasons from 2009-2011. He won the race in 2002 and 2007.

“Going back to the Chili Bowl for the first time several years reminded me of just how tough of an event it really is,” Stewart said in a team press release. “You typically have more than 200 competitors from all over the world battling it out on a quarter-mile dirt track – indoors.

“The excitement and atmosphere that is contained in the Expo Center is really something you can’t explain and it was great to be part of it again. I’m really looking forward to taking another shot at winning the Golden Driller for our partners.”

Stewart joins a star-studded field that also includes three-time and defending winner Kevin Swindell, Justin Allgaier, J.J. Yeley, Bryan Clauson and Kyle Larson.