It has become an annual tradition for the 3 Wide Life crew. A week at the Quick Trip Center in Tulsa, OK watching close to 300 drivers compete on dirt, but indoors, for what is considered one of the hardest trophies to win in all of racing - The Golden Driller. This coveted piece is the prize given to the winner of the famous Chili Bowl, the superbowl of midget racing. The collection of talent is unmatched, with drivers from all forms of motorsports showing up to see how they stack up at the ¼ mile banked oval. The house is packed, even on a qualifier night, when thousands of fans arrive to watch stars like NASCAR's Kasey Kahne or the NHRA's Cruz Pedregon run against Sprint Car legends like Sammy Swindell. The racing never disappoints and the adrenaline seems to take hold of everyone in the building. It is the perfect place to pay tribute to a lost member of the 3 Wide Life family - Alex Pruett.
Pruett had a dream of running in the Chili Bowl's A Main event. He built a car to do just that. When he passed away too early at the young age of 20, his dream was left unfulfilled. The car sat around unused, before his father, Steve Pruett (Steve and Alex co-created 3 Wide Life) decided that it was time for it to go racing again. He wanted it in the hands of a real racer, and after seeing Shane Hmiel adapt quickly to the open wheel cars, he knew he had his guy. For two years now, Hmiel has been the caretaker of the No.56 Pruett midget car. With the help of his father Steve Hmiel and guys like open wheel expert Scott Benic, Shane has kept Alex's dream alive.
"It is an honor" said Hmiel, "to drive Alex's car at the Chili Bowl. Honestly this is the biggest thing I have ever done in my career. I missed the A feature by one spot last year, but I have more experience this time around. My dad and brother will be there helping out. I look forward to paying tribute to such a cool kid."
This week's episode of 3 Wide Life documents Hmiel's week at the Chili Bowl, features interviews with all the big names in attendance, showcases highlights of the racing and gives some technical information about the lack of inspection performed on the cars.
http://www.3widelife.com/video-clip/...703-chili-bowl