1/17/2018
Inside Line Promotions
Rilat Makes First Chili Bowl Nationals Start in a Decade
Inside Line Promotions – TULSA, Okla. (Jan. 17, 2018) – Travis Rilat got off to a strong start last week during the 32nd annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
Rilat, who was piloting an entry for BDS Motorsports during the marquee midget event located inside the River Spirit Expo Center, won a heat race after starting on the outside of the front row during his first Chili Bowl start since 2008.
“I want to thank Bryan Sundby and BDS Motorsports for the opportunity to get back to the Chili Bowl,” he said. “We caught a break in the heat race when the opening start was called back after I fell back a couple of positions. Someone stopped on the track so it was a complete restart, which benefitted me. I learned from my mistake and had a better start the second time. We took off into the lead and never looked back.”
Unfortunately, a ninth-place result in a qualifier relegated him to a B Main. Rilat powered from seventh to fourth place to capture the final transfer into the main event.
“It’s so much different racing in a pack versus starting on the front row,” he said. “We had our ups and downs in the qualifier, B Main and A Main. We were always around other cars and it’s close-quarters racing. We got caught up in a mess that ended our race a little earlier than we wanted.”
Rilat finished 21st in the feature and he returned to the oval on Saturday, when he started seventh in a D Main.
“We raced around where we started for a bit before a mechanical problem ended our weekend,” he said.
The DNF closed the event early for Rilat, who enjoyed the opportunity to return to midget competition.
“It’s always a fun event and I had a great time being back,” he said. “I’ll try not to let it be 10 more years before I return the next time.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Jan. 9 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. – Heat race: 1 (2); Qualifier: 9 (4); B Main: 4 (7); Feature: 21 (24).
Jan. 13 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. – D Main: 14 (7).
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.TravisRilat.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TravisRilat29
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Shark Racing Engines
Located in Sedro-Woolley, Wash., Shark Racing Engines has been building high-performance racing engines for more than two decades. For more information, visit http://www.SharkRacingEngines.com.
“It’s kind of funny how I met (Shark owner) Marc Huson when I went up there to Washington for an ASCS National Tour race a few years ago,” Rilat said. “I was wandering around talking on my cell phone and saw a sprint car next door. I walked over, looked around and introduced myself.
“He’s been a great friend. He was instrumental with a support group for me and my family when I was in the hospital up there. He and his wife helped us out in a hard time. As far as his engine skills go, he’s one of the best in the country. There’s only a handful of great engine builders across the country and I consider him one of the best.”
Rilat would also like to thank Frio Chevrolet, MDS Boring & Drilling, Shop The BOSS, Weld Wheels, KSE Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Simpson Race Products, Hoosier Racing Tires, HRP Wings, Goodrich, Penske Racing Shocks and All Star Auto Reconditioning for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
Article Credit: Inside Line Promotions
Submitted By: Shawn Miller
