Just as popular at the Snowball Derby in Pensacola, the Chili Bowl Nationals draws drivers from all across racing. Considered the Super Bowl of midget racing, the annual event in Tulsa, Oklahoma draws over racers each January for some indoor racing.
During the time that NASCAR ran a dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway, they used the same piles of dirt and clay on the track. So does the Chili Bowl Nationals. The same exact dirt has been used every year since the Nationals creation in 1987 including the clay that once adorned the ground at the fairgrounds nearby..
Since its inaugural race in 1987, the Chili Bowl has drawn quite a number of NASCAR drivers; with some of them bringing home the Golden Driller trophy. In the past Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Tony Stewart, and Dave Blaney have all won Golden Driller trophies.
This year Cup Series drivers Chase Briscoe, JJ Yeley, and Josh Bilicki will be competing; as well as, Jesse Love are among the 350 plus entries from 32 states and five countries – Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.
Already owning a record five Golden Driller trophies, three time World of Outlaws champion Sammy Swindell is also among the entries and looking to add to his name in the record books. Swindell’s son Kevin ranks second in the record books with four consecutive wins.
Prior to the main event on Saturday night, the drivers must run a series of heat race comprised of seven to 10 cars with eight laps each heat. Drivers advancement depends on finish and passing points. Drivers who move on to qualifying races before moving on to the feature event.
With no airing on any commercial television network, race fans can turn to Flo Racing to view all flag to flag events beginning January 8. Qualifying races run all week with the main race concluding the event on January 13.
Chili Bowl winners since 1987:
Rich Vogler
Scott Hatton
Sammy Swindell
Johnny Heydenreich
Lealand McSpadden
Dave Blaney
Andy Hillenburg
Donnie Beechler
Billy Boat
Dan Boorse
Cory Krusseman
Jay Drake
Tony Stewart
Tracy Hines
Tim McCreadie
Damion Gardner
Kevin Swindell
Bryan Clauson
Rico Abreu
Christopher Bell
Kyle Larson
Tanner Thorson
Logan Seavey
Feature photo credit: Chil Bowl Nationals Facebook page