Chili Bowl is not just about the racing

Kansasdirtfan · 1/20/14, 3:29 PM

Four action-packed nights, the better part of 11 hours on Saturday. The biggest event that midget racing has to offer. Nearly 300 entries. The best of the best from several disciplines of racing. Thrills, spills, heartache for some and elation for others. And all indoors where there is no threat of a rainout. Not to mention live television coverage. What's not to like?

Yet, in spite of all that, what's most enjoyable to me is getting reacqainted with friends that I seldom see more once a year, and meeting new friends that I hope to meet up with again sometime in the future. This year the group that normally sits in front of me was unable to attend, so our little "community" in Section F had some new faces. We welcomed Illini Ken Redfern (ISF) and his cousin Marion, and Mass. residents and former ISMA competitors Jim Martel (Grinch) and his son Scott to our group. And great additions they were, bringing a wealth of racing knowledge and experience, not to mention just being good people. In addition, my stepdaughter Jill was able to join me this year for her first ever midget racing experience. So thank you Ken, Marion, Jim and Scott, for sharing your Chili Bowl experience with us, and for making the week even more enjoyable for Jill. I hope we can all do it again sometime. Yes, the racing was great, but the friendships are better.

cornerthree · 1/20/14, 4:31 PM

We are from WI and have made freinds with the poeple that sit around us. They are from KS, TX, MO. We now stay. at the same motel and go out to eat together. We have also made freinds with Robbie ans Adam at Burn Co. BBQ better guys and better bbq you won't find. We see these people only a time or two every year, but with social media stay in touch all year.

huskermudd · 1/20/14, 8:39 PM

Our pit pass section was also missing some regulars that didn't show from Arkansas hope everything is all right been sitting with them for six years. Meet some new people from Michigan hope you made it back throught the snow ok and your 14 hour drive. Great racing glad BC won it. Pruff that a nice guy can finish 1st now just want Jerry Coons Jr. and Dave Darland to get their driller Maybe next year We will be there for the 19th straight. Took a rookie this year for his first CB and he says he won't miss it a gain. See you all next year.

ISF · 1/21/14, 1:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kansasdirtfan

Four action-packed nights, the better part of 11 hours on Saturday. The biggest event that midget racing has to offer. Nearly 300 entries. The best of the best from several disciplines of racing. Thrills, spills, heartache for some and elation for others. And all indoors where there is no threat of a rainout. Not to mention live television coverage. What's not to like?

Yet, in spite of all that, what's most enjoyable to me is getting reacqainted with friends that I seldom see more once a year, and meeting new friends that I hope to meet up with again sometime in the future. This year the group that normally sits in front of me was unable to attend, so our little "community" in Section F had some new faces. We welcomed Illini Ken Redfern (ISF) and his cousin Marion, and Mass. residents and former ISMA competitors Jim Martel (Grinch) and his son Scott to our group. And great additions they were, bringing a wealth of racing knowledge and experience, not to mention just being good people. In addition, my stepdaughter Jill was able to join me this year for her first ever midget racing experience. So thank you Ken, Marion, Jim and Scott, for sharing your Chili Bowl experience with us, and for making the week even more enjoyable for Jill. I hope we can all do it again sometime. Yes, the racing was great, but the friendships are better.

Very well said Bob! Couldn't add anything if I tried and the feelings are mutual. And, for the record, none of this would have happened for us if not for you giving us a heads up and pointing us in the right direction. Thank you!

Also, we couldn't have asked for nicer guys to hang out with than Jim and Scott and their perspective as drivers and competitors added to the experience since my next lap in any kind of oval track race will be my first.

This was our second Chili Bowl, our first was way back in 1997. The first time was great, no question, but 2014 exceeded all our expectations. We will fondly remember and reminisce of the 2014 Chili Bowl for as long as we can remember and reminisce for all the reasons stated above, and more.

grinch · 1/22/14, 3:17 PM

Bob......Thank you for the very kind words. I can only echo all that you said. In all the many years and places that i have seen i find that there are no better fans than the ones we sat with this year. I hope our paths cross again and i will never forget this years Chili Bowl.......Thank you again jim and scott martel