Chili Bowl: Former Champ Rico Abreu Attempts Repeat, Encourages Younger Generation To Race

It's been a year since Rico Abreu took his perch on top of the racing world. 

"If you can win it here, you can win them all and not too many people have won it, and it's just really cool to be on this list," said Abreu.

Abreu's a crowd favorite, and his Chili Bowl win was universally praised by the masses of fans. It was a just reward for a man who races nearly 100 dirt track races a year.

Along with dirt track racing, he competes in NASCAR events and has won a development race in Columbus, OH last year and Truck series events as well. 

As far as what type of track and car he likes the most, Abreu says he likes them all. "I like getting out of all these different kinds of cars and seeing all these different tracks," he said.

But no matter the size of the vehicle Abreu's driving, his size hasn't limited him at all. Abreu suffers from Achondroplasia, a condition that limits bone growth. The 22-year-old is 4’4.

"Obviously with my unique stature, there's some limitations in the car, some foot blocks they put in there [that] push forward into the seat so I can get up under the wheel," he explained.

In a twist of irony, he says his size has led him to be a role model for the younger generation.

"Because of my stature and I'm more their size but look grown up, it's intriguing to them and that helps as well and then they get to watch me race on the track which is cool for them," Abreu added.

But on the track this weekend, his focus is repeating.

"This race is all about being there at the end and that's what we work on as a team, and as a driver [I’m] looking forward to the main event Saturday night," said Abreu.