Longtime NASCAR Nationwide Series Sponsor to have large presence at Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs Great Clips, Inc. logo to adorn the cars of Jason Leffler, Brad Sweet and Matt Hummel in famed event

MOORESVILLE, NC (Jan. 4, 2012) - In what is deemed one of the greatest spectacles in all of racing, longtime sponsor in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS), Great Clips, Inc., will have a large presence at the 26th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals (January 9-14th) with their logo adorning the cars of competitors Jason Leffler, Brad Sweet and Matt Hummel.  The partnerships with these three drivers stems from the company's long relationship with Leffler and Sweet (Leffler represented the brand in the NNS from 2006-2011 and Sweet has represented them in select NASCAR Camping World Truck Series over the last three seasons), as well as their partnership with Kasey Kahne Racing, which fields a Great Clips sponsored entry in the World of Outlaws Series.    All three drivers have deep roots in open wheel racing and all three look to be strong contenders for the Golden Driller trophy. Leffler, who will be driving for owner Keith Kunz, is credited with multiple USAC championships throughout his career.  His best performance in the five-day event occurred in 1998 when he came away with a second-place finish.  Other top finishes include a fifth-place in 2004 and ninth in 2000. Leffler did lay claim to the title as an owner when Damion Gardner won in the event in 2008, driving under the Leffler Racing banner. Sweet and Hummel will both be driving KKR entries in the event.  Sweet also made a name for himself in the national open wheel racing circuits. Tapped to drive for KKR in 2008, Sweet became a superstar in his own right in the USAC racing world with victories including the Belleville Midget Nationals, the Knoxville Midget Nationals and both the Sprint Car and Midget "Four Crown Nationals" at Eldora Speedway.  Sweet has made four starts in the Chili Bowl Nationals with a best finish of ninth in 2010. Hummel, who works for KKR as a mechanic, will be making his third start in the Chili Bowl Nationals.  Prior to working at KKR, Hummel moonlighted in the midget series in California and Indiana. His career-best finish was seventh at Belleville.    After a practice session on Monday, January 9th, the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals will kick off one night later with the first of four qualifying nights. For Leffler, Tuesday night will include the fourth annual International Chili Bowl Race of Champions, featuring past event winners and other top Chili Bowl contenders squaring off in a special feature race. The action continues with Wednesday's River Spirit Casino Qualifier, Thursday's Suburban Chevrolet Qualifier and then Friday's International Qualifier.   The top-three finishers from each of the Qualifying Night features will automatically lock into the Saturday night (January 14th) Lucas Oil Chili Bowl championship feature, with the balance of Saturday's Lucas Oil championship feature events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes.