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The 33rd annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is in the books and it was another epic event. Something dirt racing fans have come to expect from the biggest and best dirt event of the entire year.
The crowd seems to get larger every year in spite of the fact that all but Monday night was sold out according to local news outlets. The crowd size for a Tuesday and Wednesday night is amazing considering 85% of all the tickets sold for The Chili Bowl are sold outside of Oklahoma!
The preliminary night events were run with impeccable time management and organization. The mud cab crowd that whines and hates on dirt open wheel racing because of the cars not having self-starting capabilities are sorely disappointed and proven wrong every year at Tulsa. The racing is run with efficiency and is no more time consuming than starter car events. I've said for years that tracks who host dirt open wheel events only occasionally should be required to come to Tulsa in January to learn first hand how it's done correctly.
With Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell (to be fair a couple more dirt open wheel drivers deserve to be mentioned with those two) we are incredibly privileged to be watching two massively talented and brave drivers go at each other. They are like two heavy weights at the absolute top of their game, in their prime going at each other but with the huge respect toward one another. By all accounts both Larson and Bell are quality human beings who conduct themselves with class, dignity and manners. We are watching a modern day Larry & Gary/Petty & Pearson show of the early 21st century. The Chili Bowl is an event that showcases their talent and skill in a way that no other could, or can.
No one knows just how big and relevant The Chili Bowl will become going forward, least of all me. But, one thing is for sure, it's surpassed most any and all expectations of even just 15 years ago.
Have been home from Tulsa less than 12 hours and already thinking of Chili Bowl XXXIV!! Can't wait!
The crowd seems to get larger every year in spite of the fact that all but Monday night was sold out according to local news outlets. The crowd size for a Tuesday and Wednesday night is amazing considering 85% of all the tickets sold for The Chili Bowl are sold outside of Oklahoma!
The preliminary night events were run with impeccable time management and organization. The mud cab crowd that whines and hates on dirt open wheel racing because of the cars not having self-starting capabilities are sorely disappointed and proven wrong every year at Tulsa. The racing is run with efficiency and is no more time consuming than starter car events. I've said for years that tracks who host dirt open wheel events only occasionally should be required to come to Tulsa in January to learn first hand how it's done correctly.
With Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell (to be fair a couple more dirt open wheel drivers deserve to be mentioned with those two) we are incredibly privileged to be watching two massively talented and brave drivers go at each other. They are like two heavy weights at the absolute top of their game, in their prime going at each other but with the huge respect toward one another. By all accounts both Larson and Bell are quality human beings who conduct themselves with class, dignity and manners. We are watching a modern day Larry & Gary/Petty & Pearson show of the early 21st century. The Chili Bowl is an event that showcases their talent and skill in a way that no other could, or can.
No one knows just how big and relevant The Chili Bowl will become going forward, least of all me. But, one thing is for sure, it's surpassed most any and all expectations of even just 15 years ago.
Have been home from Tulsa less than 12 hours and already thinking of Chili Bowl XXXIV!! Can't wait!
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