2006 Chili Bowl

The J&J Hendrick Racing team left for Tulsa for the famed Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. Jonathan's qualifying night consist of drivers like: Josh Wise, Tracy Hines, Jason Leffer, Daryn Pittman, and last years Chili Bowl champion Tim McCreadie. Jonathan came out in his heat starting 5th and broke a right front shock making the car handle terrible but still finished 5th. Still not locked in the show for Thursday night Hendrick did not give up they made adjustments and got jonathan back out for his last chance race. Hendrick started 2nd with an 8 lap race Jonathan passed Michele Miller for the lead on the first lap coming into turn 3. Hendrick had a big lead the whole race and brought home the checkers. Jonathan still not satisfied with the win he wanted to be locked in tonight's feature event. He took the track for his qualifier started 11th and battled his way up to second behind fellow driver Justin Allgaier.

With Hendrick finishing 2nd that got him into the A feature for Thursday. The last for thursday night Jonathan strapped in the midget and was ready to go. Jonathan rolled off the grid 8th for a 25 lap feature. Jonathan worked his up to 5th by lap 12 and on lap 14 Jonathan jumped the cushion causing him to fall back to where he started. After that Hendrick was able to hold his ground and finish up 8th which locks him in to the B-Main on saturdays Show. Hendrick awaited Saturday Nights B-Main . Although Jonathan did not sit around all night he kept busy checking on the car and helping driver Shane Hollingsworth out. After that was time for B-Main hot laps. Jonathan was quick time in his hot laps session. Hendrick Started 6th and the top 6 transferred to the Final race of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. The race went green for the B-Main so Jonathan took off to the front jonathan showing his talent prestige getting into the 3rd spot and holding it for the rest of the race.

" It's a dream come true" Hendrick said after making it into the final race. The butterflies where flying when Jonathan was pushed off "rolling down the front straight-a-way and seeing all 15,000 people was just awesome by that time I knew it was time to go to work." Being the youngest driver ever to make the A main meant a lot but he knew he was going to have to hold his ground. Hendrick going up against the likes of Tony Stewart, Jay Drake, J.J Yeley, Jason Leffer, and starting in front of last years Champion Tim McCreadie. Jonathan off turn 4 and took the green flag by lap 15 he was up to 12th. Later would fall back to 19th. " The car just started to get away from us." Hendrick said. Jonathan would finish 19th out of 25 a great accomplishment for it only being his 2nd chili bowl appearance and only his 3rd time in a midget.