Chili Bowl Nationals officials have announced a rule change in regards to the use of wheel covers for the 2020 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire.

All cars competing must now be equipped with a minimum of three bolts holding the wheel covers to the beadlock.

The change comes after reviewing instances over the past three years where loose wheel covers have come very close to clearing the fences that surround the Chili Bowl venue, Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well incidents where wheel covers have shot up the entry/exit ramp.

“The Chili Bowl is so unique in how confined and close everything is, and we’ve just seen too many times where wheel covers either were not installed correctly, or there is contact that causes the Dzus to break or back off, which lets the cover come off,” Chili Bowl Director Matt Ward said. “Safety is always our biggest priority, and this is a small change to try and minimize someone getting severely injured.”

For the wheel covers, much like rules set by the American Sprint Car Series, IRA Sprints, All Star Circuit of Champions and the World of Outlaws, a minimum 5/16″, flanged steel bolt and an approved fastening (nut assembly) system must be used.

Approved fastening (nut assembly) systems are as follows:
–Keyser Manufacturing, part #100 7-101

–Wehrs Manufacturing Part # (WM377S-312 Steel 5/16)

–Triple X Chassis Part # SC-WH-7810 (for a 1″ spring) / SC-WH-7820 (for a 1 3/8″ spring)

–Smith Precision Products Part # MC-516-18
– Speedway Motors part # 910-07119

For more information, visit the Chili Bowl website.