Windom, Altig see stock skyrocket
By David Smith


Chris Windom
Canton, IL

He didn't receive the credit he deserved for his effort, but Windom stood toe-to-toe with some of the best open-wheelers in the nation. The fact that he qualified for the A-Main on Saturday night was big, but his piloting of the Keith Kunz #17 from 23rd to 7th in a 50 lap race was quite impressive considering the competition. He is without a full-time gig for '07 but his performance proves he is worthy of a ride with a headlining USAC team.


Gary Altig
Mechanicsburg, IL

"Bubba" was the golden nugget of the entire week, starting with his bank shot pass on Jordan Noblitt on Tuesday night and peaking with the side-by-side battle with Tony Stewart on Friday night. He is a strong driver who muscles his car around the track and never turns off the aggressiveness streak. The 20 year-old will make a successful USAC racer if given the opportunity and could be an interesting project for a NASCAR team.


Donnie Ray Crawford
Broken Arrow, OK

Donnie Ray was a hometown favorite heading into the event and did not disappoint. He finished 4th in the Wednesday A-Main and brought home 5th in the Saturday main event. He'll need to keep up the momentum to prove he's not a one-week wonder.


Brady Bacon
Broken Arrow, OK

A couple of prelim wins and an overall strong showing in his own equipment helped propel his stock, despite just missing out on the Saturday A-Main. He showed poise and patience in the Saturday C-Main and set up a flawless last lap pass for the victory. With his driving ability, and his pairing with Kasey Kahne Racing for the '07 season, he will increase his prospect stock even more over the course of the year.


Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Olive Branch, MS

His car was not strong but his ability behind the wheel was. Stenhouse is a very talented driver but unfortunately had to manhandle his car throughout the week instead of manhandling competition. Despite his machine's inabilities, he stood out as one of the best defensive drivers in Tulsa.


Justin Allgaier
Riverton, IL

The fact that he finished 3rd in the main event was huge; however, it brings to light that he has had very little success behind the wheel of a stock car. If he can bring his sense of track awareness and feel for a midget car into ARCA or the Truck Series, then he would be corralled by every team in NASCAR.


Tim McCreadie
Watertown, NY

The defending Chili Bowl winner qualified for the A-Main on Saturday via past champion's provisional. He drove a heck of a main event, marching from 25th to 8th but unfortunately, it would have taken another win to get teams to take a second glance at him.


Levi Jones
Olney, IL

Granted he has had limited success behind the wheel of a midget car, his teaming with Tony Stewart and Tracy Hines could have been the saving grace he needed to break through with a victory in midgets. His NASCAR stock will drop, but do not count him out for a national USAC title this season.


Daron Clayton
Sikeston, MO

The "Modern Day Cowboy" was a wild child in his heat race but pretty much ineffective as the week progressed. He has shown loads of potential but this week wasn't a great showing of that potential. He will need to turn things around in short order by racing up front, hitting his lines, and finishing races.


Josh Richards
Shinnston, WV

He looked very shaky in a Tony Stewart Racing midget, although, he is primarily a dirt late model competitor. After a bad showing at the GM exposure test in 2006, this could have been his ticket back into good graces. Inconsistent lines, bad decision-making, and poor track awareness killed the chances of that happening at Chili Bowl.