Why so many cars?

[Krooser]

Geez...it's about the desire to compete, the racing camaraderie, the prestige of the event...

Many of the same reasons thousands of guys race every week...to compete.

It's not about winning...it's about the competition of man and machine. And no participation trophies.

[Raceready]

I just got done watching it on tv. Everyone thought for sure Kyle Larson was going to win after leading 53 laps only to have Bell pass him on the last corner to win. A great race.

[ZERO25]

Plain and simple...….its gotta be on your bucket list if you love dirt racing!

Im not an open wheel guy, but I plan on being there in the next couple of years!

[Rocky]

Their car count is going up. Ours is going down.

[lurker]

From last night in Auckland, New Zealand.

Pretty sure the only one to beat Larson in the last couple months ---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KiXNTZbonQ

[50Dixon50]

If I counted correctly 310 midgets

[HoosierDirtFan]

336 entries according to website.

[50Dixon50]

Thanks Hoosierdirtfan

[lurker]

"Currently at 346 entries" - https://www.chilibowl.com/news/?i=80321

[Mod Runner]

No doubt, the Chili Bowl is a must attend event. It is on my bucket list for sure. I like to see what the racers do to get the speed out of such small engines.

[Raceready]

I don't post much here anymore due to rampant lack of facts and and objectivity by a significant number of posters and is often a gross waste of time and thought. However, on this subject, against my better judgement I will respond. #1. First and foremost if you've never attended The Chili Bowl it's nearly impossible to explain the attraction of race fans and race participants alike. Sometimes objectivity is a problem due to dirt late model tunnel vision of which I confess to have suffered in the distant past. The old saying "if I need to explain it to you, you'll never understand" applies here. #2. The Chili Bowl is one of the biggest and most prestigious events in the country. For example, Kyle Larson is on record saying that he'd be more proud to win The Chili Bowl Saturday night A-main than the Daytona 500. A couple of drivers who are regarded as the best dirt late models have ever had to offer have tried their hand at The Chili Bowl and found it to be quite tough going. The drivers and teams aren't particularly concerned with the purse, they want that Golden Driller and all that goes with it!! #3. The Chili Bowl is a career maker. Just ask Dave Blaney, Billy Boat, Tim McCreadie, Bryan Clauson, Rico Abreu or Christopher Bell. It catapulted all of those guys into NASCAR and/or Indy Car rides. Not all stuck but it got them noticed by the right people, something that winning the World Hundred and Dream does not have the clout and prestige to accomplish outside it's niche participant and fan base. #4. The Chili Bowl is such a huge event that anyone remotely connected to dirt racing, and especially those who are involved in midget racing, wants to be a part of it and fans are drawn to Tulsa in numbers that sell the place out 5 out of the 6 nights and the good tickets are handed down in families from one generation to another in spite of the fact that over 80% of all tickets sold are sold to fans outside of the State of Oklahoma. There are probably over 1000 people show up to the Saturday night finale' who don't have seats. They bring lawn chairs, buy pit passes, and watch the jumbo-tron's in the pit area. It's also MAVtv's #1 rated live broadcast of the whole year! Everything in this excessively long post is true and provable and I also know this probably doesn't clear anything up for those who don't understand and are too short sighted to even want to, but I tried. Race fans/open wheel fans aren't "different" at all, they merely recognize a high quality product and support it accordingly. I've attended well over 20 World Hundred's and several Dream's and I know of which I speak. They are GREAT party's! But, take away the party aspect and they don't compare favorably to the 6 nights of The Chili BowL. I can't wait for the flaming to begin! Too bad we won't be back to enjoy it. LOLOL! Lastly, shouldn't this be on the sprint car board? LOL! Everyone have a Wonderful Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year.

Thank you. Glad to see you come out of hiatus ! Its quite refreshing to have somebody on here writing pure and plain FACTS that we can take to the bank !