Night #5 Is In The Record Books, The Prelim Events Are Over

The prelim nights are history for another year. It's always just a little bittersweet. Justin Grant and Kyle Cummings transfer to the Saturday A-main by running 1-2 respectively in tonight's final prelim night A-main. Like is the case many times, had there been just 1 or 2 more laps in the A-main tonight things might have been different. Kyle Cummings was right on Grant's rear nerf bar in turn 4 of the final lap and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. who ran 3rd, was probably the fastest car on the track for the entire A-main. I really hope Ricky transfer's out of the B-main tomorrow night. He should since he'll start up front. Ricky might just have something for Bell, Larson & Company.

Trigger alert!

I found it rather telling that the competition director for the WoO's generic dirt late model pizza deliver cars would be in Tulsa racing in the biggest and best dirt event of the year when his series is in Florida for an event down there. Certainly shows how the importance of competing in The Chili Bowl overshadows delivering pizza in FL! LOL! I'm sure Casey being in Tulsa driving a dirt open wheel car ruffles some dirt late model fan feathers. Totally understandable to those who understand and appreciate the gravity of what is taking place in Tulsa that Mr. Shuman would opt for Tulsa. If further adds to the inferiority complex of those DLM hacks afflicted with envious tunnel vision!

A Feature
30 laps | 00:00:00
Pos Start Driver Hometown Car
1 2 Justin Grant Ione, CA 2J
2 1 Kyle Cummins Princeton, IN 3G
3 18 Ricky Stenhouse Jr Olive Branch, MS 17S
4 20 Tanner Thorson Minden, NV 08
5 5 Daryn Pittman Owasso, OK 21
6 3 Damion Gardner Concord, CA 71G
7 6 Jesse Love Redwood City, CA 97K
8 14 Aaron Reutzel Clute, TX 87
9 17 J.J. Yeley Charlotte, NC 2G
10 4 Ronnie Gardner Corona, CA 68
11 15 Casey Shuman Rattlesnake Bend, AZ 32W
12 22 Ethan Mitchell Mooresville, NC 19M
13 13 Ace McCarthy Tahlequah, OK 28
14 11 Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA 57W
15 24 Tucker Klaasmeyer Paola, KS 27
16 12 Cody Jessop Madera, CA 4CM
17 7 Bill Balog North Pole, AK 37X
18 23 Wesley Smith Nixa, MO 44X
19 16 Tyler Edwards Salina, OK 73B
20 21 Kinzer Edwards South Coffeyville, OK 15F
21 10 Brent Beauchamp Avon, IN 2X
22 19 Lane Goodman Broken Arrow, OK 10J
23 (DNF) 8 Luke Icke Littleton, CO 56I
24 (DNF) 9 Jesse Colwell Red Bluff, CA 14

Another Chili Bowl is nearly history. This event has grown in stature to the degree that every year it become more epic and relevant in the world of motorsports. The Chili Bowl has taken on an aura and mystic that very few, if any, dirt racing events can equal. It's sad when it's over but the anticipation of the next January journey to Tulsa is a constant the rest of the year.

The alphabet soup is slowly simmering on the stove.

Your addicted bad. Real bad. I could easily argue we are seeing better racing at Volusia speedway this week. Just saying.

I may run a pizza delivery car but have to say that it would be all but impossible to find better racing than the Chili Bowl...an average night there would top most other forms of racing at their best.

But not late models like Arizona Speedway this week or night 1 Volusia. But most other forms of racing ... you probably correct

Right now it’s just a little too predictable. Hopefully these Big league dudes will move along and do something else on a January weekend

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Originally Posted by Rajflyboy

Your addicted bad. Real bad. I could easily argue we are seeing better racing at Volusia speedway this week. Just saying.

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You may easily argue it but you'd be wrong and you'd look silly doing it.

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Originally Posted by EvelB7

I may run a pizza delivery car but have to say that it would be all but impossible to find better racing than the Chili Bowl...an average night there would top most other forms of racing at their best.

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Sincerely, we meant no offense to you Evel.

You speak the truth but there are meat ball generic dirt late model hacks that can't bear to hear the truth. It's one thing to have other preferences, that is human, but it's quite another to deny the truth and downplay the obvious. All I do is point out the obvious! LOL!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rajflyboy

But not late models like Arizona Speedway this week or night 1 Volusia. But most other forms of racing ... you probably correct

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You are joking, aren't you? If you're not, you're doing a great job of looking dumb. LOL doesn't begin to cover it!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EvelB7

I may run a pizza delivery car but have to say that it would be all but impossible to find better racing than the Chili Bowl...an average night there would top most other forms of racing at their best.

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I agree. Likewise, I love watching these tumble buggies.

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Originally Posted by JimBo

I agree. Likewise, I love watching these tumble buggies.

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Tumble buggies. That’s awesome and pretty much exactly what they are.

Tumble buggys. What was it this year ? Did they say 67 roll overs which falls short of the record of 87 flips last year ?

Oh lord. I do remember that from the broadcast lady year 👍

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Originally Posted by CIRF

You may easily argue it but you'd be wrong and you'd look silly doing it.Sincerely, we meant no offense to you Evel.You speak the truth but there are meat ball generic dirt late model hacks that can't bear to hear the truth. It's one thing to have other preferences, that is human, but it's quite another to deny the truth and downplay the obvious. All I do is point out the obvious! LOL!

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No offense taken... growing up I wanted to run sprint cars, started in late models then got a chance to switch (which I did). Change was short lived as I moved south and the sprint cars did not exist here, so back to late models...to old to switch back to sprints I do believe, but you never know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EvelB7

No offense taken... growing up I wanted to run sprint cars, started in late models then got a chance to switch (which I did). Change was short lived as I moved south and the sprint cars did not exist here, so back to late models...to old to switch back to sprints I do believe, but you never know.

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Find yourself a Silver Crown car and come to Springfield & Du Quoin. I'll stooge for you and I'll even buy my own pit pass! LOL!

Problem is I have no money... I can find rides in the late model but don't believe the open wheel world wants to see me (not that the late model world does, I just have been around a long time and didn't tear up much equipment; although that point can be argued lately for sure)....If I hit the lottery it is on to Sprints, Midgets, and Silver Crown!!!

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Originally Posted by Raceready

Tumble buggys. What was it this year ? Did they say 67 roll overs which falls short of the record of 87 flips last year ?

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You were paying close attention, weren't you Rr.

Luckily Emmett has the best people in the business as track workers. The flips are not abnormally time consuming and detract from the show very little. Part of the appeal of dirt open wheel cars, in this case specifically midgets, is that you can't beat and bang with little to no consequences like some other types of dirt racing. Drivers have to take care of one another. Obviously Chili Bowl speeds are less than lethal under normal circumstances, but serious injuries have taken place. Case in point, Tim McCreadie broke his back and was laid up for months as a result of a Chili Bowl midget crash.

When qualified people have the correct equipment at their disposal, such as is the case at Chili Bowl, the show moves on quite well despite the "tumble buggies". They ran an average of 64 cars, 8 heat races, 2 C-features, 4 qualifiers, 2 B-features, and an A-main 5 nights in a row. Except for Tuesday night, which is Race of Champions night and the Saturday night MAVtv debacle, racing was completed by 9:30 PM. Flip counts averaged 11 per night spaced out over 188 laps of green flag racing. That's not counting the flips that took place in hot laps. If the flip count was an excessive time detriment it would have been much later than 9:30 PM finishing times. Anyone who sights a flip count as detrimental to the quality of the show is biased in the first place.

Plus, people gamble some big money on the exact number and the over/under of The Chili Bowl flip count. THAT's why they keep track and announce it so often.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EvelB7

Problem is I have to money... I can find rides in the late model but don't believe the open wheel world wants to see me (not that the late model world does, I just have been around a long time and didn't tear up much equipment; although that point can be argued lately for sure)....If I hit the lottery it is on to Sprints, Midgets, and Silver Crown!!!

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I hope you win the lottery, Evel. I think you'd have some serious fun driving a Silver Crown car on the Illinois 1 mile dirt tracks.

CIRF
I am thankfull of your nightly reports from the front. However I am slightly dismayed on your comments of which you are indeed entitled, you took a crack at the DLM scene by calling them generic pizza delivery cars and about Shuman's absence.

If I recall correctly you have opined on the snarky attitude on the DLM rage about attitude. My view is in the euphoria of being at Tulsa you shot a unnecessary shot at fellow dirt racers.

You can have your view that the Chili Bowl is this and that with good argument. However I think there is a giant segment of dirt racers and fans that may view these events as an equal if not bigger.

*Knoxville Sprint Nationals**
*World 100*
*Kings Royal*
*Dirt Late Model Dream*
*I.M.C.A. Nationals*
*Williams Grove National Open*
*Super Dirt Week*

All those races have high quality merit.

The one thing I find about the Chili Bowl is the insane amount of race stoppage due to spins, wrecks and flips, it can hinder the flow of the race. Saturday nights ultra-long action with so much down time somewhat hurts the program, in my view the talent level across the board is amazing.

You said "generic pizza delivery cars." Don't present day USAC Midgets look exactly the same. Same look, side panels, down tubes, tires, wheelbase, nerf bars, exhaust and so on? Me. I would never use the words generic on the midgets even though they look a like.

Just my 3 cents, well maybe 4. Larson is a beast! No offense to you sir at all.



Late Model Mark
TST Announcer

CIRF, I was born just about 25 years to late by my figures. Open (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)pit, no cage silver crown would have been all me. I prefer a car with too much horsepower on a dry slick track, exactly what Springfield or DuQuoin would be. I'll check my numbers to be sure but think I missed it again....Until I figure out how to pick those numbers I will go buy my first HANS device and run the Pizza Delivery car at Bristol ( under powered and I will assume the track will be hooked up).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EvelB7

Problem is I have no money... I can find rides in the late model but don't believe the open wheel world wants to see me (not that the late model world does, I just have been around a long time and didn't tear up much equipment; although that point can be argued lately for sure)....If I hit the lottery it is on to Sprints, Midgets, and Silver Crown!!!

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Would you be needing a traveling cook?

BBQ, If I hit the lottery you are my first hire! In the meantime maybe you should come with us to Bristol in March....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EvelB7

CIRF, I was born just about 25 years to late by my figures. Open (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)pit, no cage silver crown would have been all me. I prefer a car with too much horsepower on a dry slick track, exactly what Springfield or DuQuoin would be. I'll check my numbers to be sure but think I missed it again....Until I figure out how to pick those numbers I will go buy my first HANS device and run the Pizza Delivery car at Bristol ( under powered and I will assume the track will be hooked up).

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Evel, I'd love to split a 12 pack with you along with all the great conversation that would be the ongoing byproduct of a session such as that.

I'm pullin' for your numbers to come in not only for you but for me, as well. I'd have a ball stoogin' for you when you come to Springfield with that Silver Crown car.

I wish you nothing but success and fun, but most of all safety and good health in your upcoming DLM endeavors. All I do is set with my country ass planted on a bleacher seat and watch the guys like you, who do the work and have the stones to strap into a racecar. Hats off to you, sir.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Late_Model_Mark

CIRF
I am thankfull of your nightly reports from the front. However I am slightly dismayed on your comments of which you are indeed entitled, you took a crack at the DLM scene by calling them generic pizza delivery cars and about Shuman's absence.

If I recall correctly you have opined on the snarky attitude on the DLM rage about attitude. My view is in the euphoria of being at Tulsa you shot a unnecessary shot at fellow dirt racers.

You can have your view that the Chili Bowl is this and that with good argument. However I think there is a giant segment of dirt racers and fans that may view these events as an equal if not bigger.

*Knoxville Sprint Nationals**
*World 100*
*Kings Royal*
*Dirt Late Model Dream*
*I.M.C.A. Nationals*
*Williams Grove National Open*
*Super Dirt Week*

All those races have high quality merit.

The one thing I find about the Chili Bowl is the insane amount of race stoppage due to spins, wrecks and flips, it can hinder the flow of the race. Saturday nights ultra-long action with so much down time somewhat hurts the program, in my view the talent level across the board is amazing.

You said "generic pizza delivery cars." Don't present day USAC Midgets look exactly the same. Same look, side panels, down tubes, tires, wheelbase, nerf bars, exhaust and so on? Me. I would never use the words generic on the midgets even though they look a like.

Just my 3 cents, well maybe 4. Larson is a beast! No offense to you sir at all.



Late Model Mark
TST Announcer

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Mark, I will strenuously attempt to avoid posting a novel as I've been rightfully accused and guilty of many times in the past.

I only take cracks and attempts at being a snarkor after I've first been the snarkee. My snark has never been directed towards you since you've never been the snarkor.

I believe the perception of some concerning Shuman's absence in Florida was one of his lack of loyalty to the division of which he's currently employed. The attitude of some is Shuman shouldn't go compete in a go-cart/tumble buggy/dune buggy event despite the fact that it is huge in the hierarchy of dirt events and where he came from as a driver.

The snark and dismissiveness goes both ways. I've heard and read plenty of petty tribalism in the stands and on the Facebook pages of FALS and some others so I have no particular regret in posting a sophomoric euphemism. If it offends you I truly am sorry because it was not directed towards you or those like you.

All the events you listed positively have high quality merit. I've attended all that you list except the National Open and Super Dirt Week. None I've attended have the tension and anticipation that comes with Saturday night in Tulsa. The truth remains that only Knoxville is truly in a class with Tulsa. Even Knoxville doesn't have the career implications, national prestige and notoriety that comes with winning the Sat. night A-main. None of the others even come close.

In regards to your statement concerning the race stoppages you are correct. It's the byproduct of the ongoing success that comes with drawing over 300 cars to an event that is huge and nationally relevant. On a normal year the stands are sold out 5 of the 6 nights with 15,000 fans packed in the grandstands per night. Every driver is pressing more than normal. But, as the old saying goes, the cream always rises to the top. Live national TV coverage is responsible for the downtime and THAT needs to be addressed. I go back before TV was a factor and Saturday night was done by 10 PM. Last night was bull$hit brought on by live television.

Generic is not a derogatory term. It only explains how the generic appearance of racecars generally known as dirt late model stock cars have morphed from cars that could easily be identified by make, model and year into cars that all look nearly identical/generic and resemble nothing anyone has ever seen on a public thoroughfare. No matter what brand of engine they all look the same. Midgets are, and always have been, purpose built racecars that make no claim of being "stock" in any way or form. Why don't we call them super modified fendered cars, or SMF cars?

If I've been untruthful in any way point it out, Mark, and I'll gladly and humbly retract the falsehood with apologies. Okay, I guess I have to plead guilty to not being able to avoid posting a novel. Sorry.

Alright gentlemen, easy way to solve this. Midget race at TST, I haven't ran there in a number of years but from what I remember it would be a great track for them. Pay some big money, NASCAR weekend and run the late models on the next night. We may not solve the 'who is better' piece but can almost guarantee it will make some money! Bell, Larson, Briscoe, they can bring their midgets and I would bet we could line up a few late model rides for night two. Throw in Dillon, Red(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) and maybe even get Rico into a late model.

Fair enough CIRF, respectable answer. It did not look as if that social distancing stuff was in play last night. Always marveled at how many buns they could put in the place.


One last question or 2, how is the food, do they sell beer, and are the bathrooms overwhelmed with such a large amount of folks?


I wish I could have a midget show at TST or a USAC non-wing sprint race, I have certainly begged enough for one to the owners.



LMM

CIRF. Extended delay for track prep. https://speedsport.com/sprints-midge...r-kyle-larson/

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Originally Posted by Late_Model_Mark

Fair enough CIRF, respectable answer. It did not look as if that social distancing stuff was in play last night. Always marveled at how many buns they could put in the place.


One last question or 2, how is the food, do they sell beer, and are the bathrooms overwhelmed with such a large amount of folks?


I wish I could have a midget show at TST or a USAC non-wing sprint race, I have certainly begged enough for one to the owners.



LMM

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One last point on the term "generic". The use of the adjective generic turns some normally mild mannered dirt late model fans bellicose meat balls. It has never been used with inimical intentions but I've had many attempts at ridicule towards me for my use of it as it pertains to a particular genre' of racecar. Needless to say they've all failed since it's foolhardy to take anything posted on an anonymous message board seriously.

The social distancing aspect was a bit troubling, Mark. The city of Tulsa is governed by people who seem to put great importance on making things less easy for Emmett, his family and his crew. I have to believe there were plenty of videos taken and passed along to the local authorities. I hope there are no repercussions going forward.




The food is very good, Mark. There is a huge variety, as well. The only down side is it's a bit pricey for a clod hoppin' country boy from Boondocks, Illinois like me who's home track is Fairbury where concessions are both of high quality and reasonable. There is some sticker shock involved. I tend to believe that it's more a case of me being out of touch with going prices outside of my racing bubble than the food being over priced. There is full bar service at more than one concession area at Chili Bowl. You can get a (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)tail or a shot of tequila or a wide choice of domestic and imported beers. Again, due to pricing most of our group steer clear of more than a minimum of libation. To put a package on at The Chili Bowl will cost you nearly as much as the nightly ticket for the prelim nights!!

USAC National shows seem to be tough to get and even tougher to keep when it involves tracks other than the Indiana mainstays and the season ending shows on the west coast. Those of us who have yearned for a USAC National show of any kind in Illinois are pretty much resigned to the fact that it ain't gonna' happen.

My home track, Fairbury, got two WoO's Sprint Car events in consecutive years and the people who run FALS said they couldn't make any money. I'm confident if a place like FALS couldn't financially justify a WoO's event they dam sure won't stick their necks out for a USAC National show. I really hope you guys can find a way to get a USAC event down there but we've given up on a USAC show here in dirt late model country.

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Originally Posted by Rajflyboy

CIRF. Extended delay for track prep. https://speedsport.com/sprints-midge...r-kyle-larson/

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The track prep doesn't account for the nearly 2 hour delay between the last of 2 D-mains and the start of the first C-main. THAT was all TV bull$hit.

The track prep problem was never an issue when Stewart in the infield and in charge of it.

I can actually live with an honest attempt to provide a good racing surface but this crap of having TV dictate when races are to be run is BS. It should be the other way 'round. I know I'm shouting into a strong wind. Money talks and BS walks but it makes it no less annoying!