The Chili Bowl From A NASCAR Point Of View

[CIRF]

This is a really good read that researches the allure of The Chili Bowl to drivers from other racing persuasions, in this case it deals with NASCAR drivers.

Crossman does a pretty good job capturing the popularity of competing in what has become a world class event

http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2016/1/26/chili-bowl-attracts-nascar-drivers-matt-crossman.html

[Clayton_Wetter]

I like spaghetti, tomatoes, and green peppers in my chili bowl!!!

[Raceready]

A great article. Thanks for sharing.

[CIRF]

I like spaghetti, tomatoes, and green peppers in my chili bowl!!!

Funny you should say that CW. There was a concession stand selling chili at The Chili Bowl and you could get everything you mentioned, including spaghetti! Chili was really good, too.

Why is a concession stand selling chili at The Chili Bowl noteworthy, you ask? Because this is the first year in quite a while that chili was actually on the menu of any food concession. I found that a bit odd for an event of this size and with it's title not to have chili available.

[mudslinger47]

Funny you should say that CW. There was a concession stand selling chili at The Chili Bowl and you could get everything you mentioned, including spaghetti! Chili was really good, too.

Why is a concession stand selling chili at The Chili Bowl noteworthy, you ask? Because this is the first year in quite a while that chili was actually on the menu of any food concession. I found that a bit odd for an event of this size and with it's title not to have chili available.

How were their concession prices? Tucson this year was utterly ridiculous... seven bucks for a hotdog, nine for a hamburger...flippin crazy.... they like doubled from last year....

[CIRF]

How were their concession prices? Tucson this year was utterly ridiculous... seven bucks for a hotdog, nine for a hamburger...flippin crazy.... they like doubled from last year....

Equally outrageous, Mud. I don't drink a lot of beer during the races because of the obvious need for the frequent disposal of the bodily byproduct but the Mrs. and I like to indulge in a couple over the course of the evening. We soon quelled our thirst for even a couple with draft beers costing over $20.00 for the two of us. Food was just about in the range you say it was in Tucson. The bowl of chili I spoke of was $7.00 and you could add .75¢ for each of the added toppings. I love the grilled turkey legs but wouldn't pay $12.00 for them.

We stopped at a Jimmy John's on our way to the Expo Center Saturday morning and picked up some sandwiches for the long day and night of alphabet soup racing and successfully smuggled them up to our seats. That move prolly saved us $30.00.

But, I guess if we wanna' play we gotta' pay.

[Clayton_Wetter]

How were their concession prices? Tucson this year was utterly ridiculous... seven bucks for a hotdog, nine for a hamburger...flippin crazy.... they like doubled from last year....

Wow that is unreal. One thing I have always noticed is how hungry I get every time I go to the race track. lol

[old fan]

Cost me 10 bucks for food to watch chili bowl and the races at tuscon at the same time a deal

[CIRF]

Cost me 10 bucks for food to watch chili bowl and the races at tuscon at the same time a deal

I can't speak for Tucson but in regards to The Chili Bowl I've watched it on TV and I've been there in the stands, multiple times of each, and there is absolutely NO comparison. But, it is without any doubt that it's much cheaper to watch it on TV.

As long as we can afford to procure tickets, lodging and the 1250 mile round trip to Tulsa we'll be there!!

[old fan]

yes it a great time I was there in 1990 when it was fun you walk up to ticket booth and get your tickets

[CIRF]

I was there for the first time in 1997 for the 11th running and it was a completely different atmosphere. I'm not sure they even had 100 cars that year and it was just a 3 night deal with Thursday and Friday being the prelim nights and of course Saturday being the alphabet soup night.

I was there just 2 weeks ago and it's every bit as much fun as it was way back in 1997. Some aspects are even more fun today. I do miss the driver and crew member basketball game, though. Nowadays they have a kick-ball tournament for the drivers and crew members in the exhibition building near the Expo Center on the fairgrounds. We went to that in 2014 and it was kinda' neat but not like the basketball game. Given the number of cars the CB draws now the basketball court is an impossibility.

In 1990 The Chili Bowl was still in it's infancy and making a comparison to today's CB is like comparing a local T-ball game to game 7 of the World Series.

[old fan]

I personnaly like a race to be outside

[CIRF]

Personal preference aside this race has become a national icon in the dirt racing realm. The CB arguably is the biggest dirt event of the year and in some fans minds it even is bigger than the Knoxville Sprint Car Nationals. Personally, I'm not sure about that but a case can be made in that regard.

Part of the charm and uniqueness is the fact that it's held in an unorthodox manner and venue. Obviously, as with all forms of entertainment the charm and uniqueness of the CB doesn't appeal to everyone but it is nonetheless undeniable that it is an almost irresistible draw to most drivers and fans of nearly all forms of racing given the 344 cars and all 11,000 seats sold out all 5 nights.

There have been iconic drivers from some other forms of dirt racing that have been humbled and embarrassed when trying their hand at winning the Golden Driller. One in particular. Others, like Tim McCreadie and Rico Abreu were given the opportunity to advance their career's as a result of a CB win. Not many, if any, other dirt events can boast that kind of spoils to the winner.

Gotta' go watch the start of the Rolex 24 now.

Later.

[mudslinger47]

I think the biggest deal is its a race in the middle of winter when people are suffering from racing withdrawal.... I know that's why there is a packed pit in Tucson, just ask anyone from up north... I talked to a guy from Alberta, said it was -25 at home and he was in shirt sleeves in Tucson...

[old fan]

You said it mud but where are all the midgets during the rest of the year