With strong team and sponsor, Dodge gears up for stirring Chili Bowl pot source: indycar.com / Dave Lewandowski With an experienced team supporting the effort, Geoff Dodge is comfortable ... downright confident really. The IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series have teamed with Lehmann Racing to field a car for Dodge in the 21st Annual O'Reilly Chili Bowl Midget Nationals Jan. 10-13 in Tulsa, Okla. "Going with Donnie Lehman and his team is a definite plus," said Dodge, who will drive the No. 500 Maxim-Gaerte. "Being inexperienced at the Chili Bowl, I don't see any other way of doing it. You go with an established team. They know what the car needs. "I have done some stuff with midgets before and I've run a midget, so I know a little bit about what I like and know a fair amount of how to set one up. I think there's no better source than Donnie. He does all R&D for Maxim. I think we're in a good situation." Dodge, winner of the Knoxville Nationals "Fast Track to Indy" Rookie of the Year in 2005 and a veteran sprint car driver, is returning to his racing roots on dirt. 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. "The Chili Bowl is the biggest midget race of the year hands down," he said. "It will be a good opportunity for those hard-core, diehard race fans to take another look at IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series racing and see the product that is in my opinion is the best major form of auto racing out there today." 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. "I think Geoff will adapt quickly to the Chili Bowl style in a midget. 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." The event draws a wide range of drivers, such as A.J. Foyt IV, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Cruz Pedregon. For IndyCar Series driver Billy Boat and Indy Pro Series driver Aaron Fike also are entered. More than 280 entries have been filed. "Donnie is a short-tracker who looks at Indy as the pinnacle, so he's excited to have the league onboard," Dodge said. "It's really a who's who of racing. To go there with a good team, a good sponsor and the opportunity to do well is something I'm looking forward to."
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