Santino Ferrucci Sparks Fireworks at Chili Bowl Nationals with Heat Win on AJ Foyt’s Birthday
In a thrilling display of racing prowess, Santino Ferrucci delivered an unforgettable moment at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, marking his first heat win in the illustrious venue. The electrifying event unfolded on Friday night, coinciding with the 91st birthday of the legendary AJ Foyt, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion and Ferrucci’s esteemed team owner in the IndyCar Series.
Ferrucci, piloting the No. 16 Abacus Racing machine, showcased his skills from the very start, drawing pole position for the second heat. With sheer determination, he dominated all eight laps, fending off fierce competition, including two-time event winner Logan Seavey, who clinched victory in the evening’s prelim A-Feature. This triumph was not just a win; it was an emotional highlight for the 27-year-old driver, who has been striving for success in midget racing’s crown jewel for six long years.
Despite the heat victory, the night was a rollercoaster ride for Ferrucci. He faced a setback, plummeting from third to ninth in his qualifier, and an unfortunate engine issue later dashed his hopes of advancing in the B2 Feature, leaving him to settle for a disappointing 15th place. Yet, the taste of victory in the heat kept his spirits soaring. “It’s been a fantastic day,” Ferrucci expressed, exuding excitement. “You come here and just to get a win in this building, regardless if it’s a heat or a qualifier, is really cool. Our No. 16 Webco midget was really quick. The Abacus boys did a great job. The car was phenomenal.”
Reflecting on his performance, Ferrucci acknowledged a costly mistake in the qualifier that hindered his progress. “I was slowly figuring out the B. I was running the bottom and trying to get up top because people weren’t there, and then we had a small engine issue that ended our run there. But all in all, we’ve had a fantastic Chili Bowl this year compared to last year. Excited to run some soup tomorrow and see where we can go,” he stated, hinting at the challenges still awaiting him.
As the anticipation builds for Saturday’s races, Ferrucci knows he needs to embrace the “alphabet soup” of racing to secure a career-best finish. His performance on Friday positions him around the J-Main for Saturday’s events, a far cry from his previous best finish of sixth in the G-Main last year. “All the hard work is starting to pay off, but I want to make that A-Main, man,” Ferrucci asserted, his hunger for victory palpable. “Let’s see if we can continue to do this in the future.”
The stage is set for an exhilarating showdown as Ferrucci gears up to chase his dreams at the Chili Bowl. Will he rise to the occasion and make history? Fans and racing enthusiasts alike are on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Ferrucci’s thrilling journey in midget racing.








