IRL to back Dodge in Chili Bowl

The IndyCar® Series and Indy Pro Series have teamed with Lehmann Racing to field a midget for Indy Pro Series veteran Geoff Dodge in the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Jan. 10-13 in Tulsa, Okla. Dodge, winner of the Knoxville Nationals "Fast Track to Indy" Rookie of the Year in 2005, will drive a Maxim-Gaerte for longtime short-track racer Donnie Lehmann.

"It's an honor to have the IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series come on board for the Chili Bowl," Dodge said. "The opportunity that I had last season in the Indy Pro Series was a huge step in my career and to have their support again for an event like this is great. I look forward to representing the Indy Racing League at the Chili Bowl and can't wait to show the sprint and midget racing fans and teams what we're all about."

Lehmann Racing has fielded entries in the Chili Bowl in 18 of the previous 20 years, most of any team to participate in the event.

"This is a great opportunity for the Indy Racing League and for Lehmann Racing," Lehmann said. "I'm really excited about being involved on the grassroots side of things for the Indy Racing League and to go to the Chili Bowl with them is wonderful." Dodge, a veteran of sprint car racing, will make his debut in the race which draws drivers from all forms of motorsports. Dodge's No. 500 entry, Bell helmet and Hinchman driver's suit will carry the IndyCar Series, Indy Pro Series and Indy DownForce logos. Rockstar Paint designed Dodge's helmet and car.

"I think Geoff will adapt quickly to the Chili Bowl style in a midget," Lehmann said. "The Chili Bowl is kind of a different type of race and the experience that Geoff has in a sprint car will help him be successful. I can't wait to get started."