With a field of more than 350 midgets all aiming for the 24 feature spots in the championship A-Main on Jan. 14, Peck also described the importance and prestige of actually making the big show.
“You’ve gotta be able to pass guys on race night, and that’s tough because everybody who’s anybody comes to Tulsa for this race. It’s just that much competition … these guys don’t like to give a whole lot of room and there’s not a lot of room for error, but if you can survive all that and get in … that’s what makes the Chili Bowl so incredible.”
“Just being there … there’s no feeling like it. I’ve never had that joy of being in the 55-lapper, but I’ve been close and that just drives me even more to work my way in this year. I’m ready to get started and see what we’ve got.”
Once the Chili Bowl ends, Peck will turn his focus towards the outdoor season, which for him will include more starts in a midget in addition to starts in a winged dirt sprint car, which his family has taken ownership of and will field in select races throughout the season.
“We’ve got a DRC Chassis that we bought from Larson Marks Racing … a car that Shane Stewart used to drive, and I’ll be really excited when we get to put it on track. We may run some MOWA (Midwest Open Wheel Ass’n) races or some local Ohio shows to get comfortable with the car, but if I can I’d like to tackle a few All Stars races by the end of the year if we think we’re ready for that jump.”
“I’m looking forward to the speed aspect of the winged sprint cars, honestly. Those guys are wild; they’re freaking fast. Hopefully I can adapt to the nature of the winged stuff and work on getting the car off the right rear and onto the left rear, like what it takes to be good in those cars. I know it’ll take time, but we’re excited to tackle the challenge.”
Peck will start his quest to qualify into the 31st annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals on John Christner Trucking Night, set for Thursday, Jan. 12.
Listen to an excerpt from Race Chaser Online’s conversation with Justin Peck regarding the 2017 Chili Bowl:
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: [email protected]
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: [email protected]
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