Why so many cars?

[HoosierDirtFan]

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.

Being one who has been there. I agree with you

There are ab 6-7 cars that have a shot at winning that no rules exhibition race. SURF lives!!!

There are more then 6-7 cars that have a chance. If you've never been then you would really have any idea the number of quality cars that show up there each year. Just because a guy doesn't race USAC or POWRi doesn't mean they don't have a chance.

IMO
If you have never been to the Chili Bowl then you really have no clue why teams go. The prestige and knowing that if you some how manage to make the Saturday a-main and some how manage to win you just beat some of the very best in open wheel racing and racing in general. The racing there is bar none some of the best racing you'll see all year. I'm a late model and modified guy but love watch other divisions as well and the midgets put on an awesome show there. The effort put forth by the teams that go and race is greatly appreciated by the fans. I think many fans love one type of racing are many times blind by how good the racing is in other divisions and won't give them the time of day.

[Rocky]

I read about some photographer or reporter something that had never raced anything anywhere ever and rented some old heap just to run. That’s the aspect that I am struggling to get. Nobody would do that at any other crown jewel level race. I certainly ain’t going to the World 100 with a 358 motor. Etc. because the track is so small maybe?

[Dlmfan123]

Did anybody ever think tmac would win a golden driller? Hel! No but he went out and did it

[mcarter815]

I’ll probably give it a try one day. It’s less than $10k to rent a ride. Sure, I wouldn’t have a shot at a win, but it’s about the experience.

[Josh Bayko]

The Chili Bowl has grown in prestige and participation at the same rate it’s grown in hype. That’s how it’s all supposed to work.

The race that mystifies me as far as car counts is the IMCA Supernationals. IIRC, that only pays 3k, and they get 250-300 cars that show up from all corners of the country.

[Rocky]

Maybe there’s too many big money late model races? If everything is a crown jewel, nothing is.

[nc mudcat]

I agree with Rocky. It seems like late model fans are hung up on the big-money events, while other divisions have "crown jewels" that are not the highest paying events. The Chili Bowl is a great example. Memorial races to past drivers are examples as well. How many crown jewel races are there now, 25-30? Whatever the number, it is too many.

[dmr37]

at the Boone Super Nationals they get over 800 cars

[CIRF]

WisWildManFan Posted: There are ab 6-7 cars that have a shot at winning that no rules exhibition race. SURF lives!!!

Right here folks is a prime example of equal parts ignorance of the subject at hand and dirt late model inferiority complex. Spewing nonsense that can easily be debunked is not the recipe for being taken the least bit serious. This dullard has no idea what he's talking about but successfully bullsh!t's himself into believing he's an expert of sorts when in reality he's one of the several resident ignoramus's. It's abundantly clear that the only activity of which he has any degree of expertise is being the pivot man in a pre-Christmas circle jerk.

Yessir, SURF lives.......rent free in your head that is not inhabited by even 1 accurately critical thought! LOL!

mcarter815 posted: I’ll probably give it a try one day. It’s less than $10k to rent a ride. Sure, I wouldn’t have a shot at a win, but it’s about the experience.

You get it, mcarter815. Your post explain's exactly why The Chili Bowl draws 375 cars! Take note Rocky, this is what it's all about.

Rocky posted: Maybe there’s too many big money late model races? If everything is a crown jewel, nothing is.

Take a bow, Rocky!! One of the more precise and truthful posts you will ever find on this message board!





I know I said I wouldn't be back to this thread but I went back on my word and deserve whatever haranguing I receive for doing so. However, there are some great posts (see above) that need to be recognized (sorry Josh, yours was a dam good post, as well) and one dim witted post that also needed to be recognized as such.

Again, ya'll have a safe and very Merry Christmas!!

[TUTY]

He is talking about A-Mods at Boone and they get 300-400 for the Super Nationals. But yes with all the classes it’s over 800 Cars and the other classes get a lot less $. Plus I believe the top 3 or 4 lose there motors in each class.

[powerslide]

You just have to go to understand the electric of that place. And its not just one night, its all week. I've not been to the big late model races but I go to the chili bowl at least one night each year and its always explosive. The track is usually wide and racey and some how they always seem to get 2-3 of the stars each night, they are not all piled into one evening(my tin foil hat says its rigged) but i'm not complaining because it produces.

And you know what else.... wait for it..... wait for it..... NO TIME TRIALS

[RiffRaf67]

In response to the OP
Best way I can summarize is: Its for the midget crowd what the world 100 is for the late model crowd.
The vast majority of the late models that show up for the world 100 have zero chance of winning it. (Most of) The fans aren't there to root for the little guys, but to see the big names on the big teams.
The chilli bowl is the exact same mentality on the part of the drivers/fans/crews as the World 100 is to the late models.
And thats what makes both TRUE crown jewels. (and dont get me started on that!)

[dirty-white-boy]

The Chili Bowl is everything that is wonderful about racing in one location. Its the perfect storm for racers and fans. It has a long history and prestige to it that CANNOT be duplicated. No other series is racing against it so it draws 100s of competitors from all over the globe. Its ONE CLASS of car. There is no Crate Chili Bowl or Limited Midget Chili Bowl. Its affordable by racing standards. The track is the equalizer. No home field advantage.

A couple years ago I watched the winner of the J Main so excited in his car and interview that you would have thought he won it all. That says it all right there. Enjoy it while you can, there will never be another.

[Rocky]

But the World 100 barely draws 100 cars anymore.

[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.

A very good post, INDEED !