I'm considering making my first trip out to the famed Chili Bowl this year. I'm 22 years old and just about to graduate college. In previous years, classes have started the same week as the Chili Bowl. Now that I no longer have to worry about that, I'm considering crossing this big one off the bucket list. I'm thinking I'll only be able to afford going Friday and Saturday, so I'm just looking for any and all information you guys can offer. What should I be realistically looking to pay for those two nights? Who should I talk to about getting tickets? How early do they start things on Friday and Saturday? Any hotel specials or anything like that in Tulsa that week? I'd really like some answers to those questions and also anything else you all think I should know as I'd really like to make the trip this year. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Yep you should do it. you'll be planning for the whole week next year most likely. My tue thru Friday ticket is $54 each and sat $61. pit passes should be about the same. you may see some full sets on here but it might be hard to find some for fri/sat only. There always is a few scalpers out front and in the past I would expect fri sat to sell at a pretty premium. not sure what will happen this year as the chilibowl is trying to stop tickets being sold over face value. Lot of folks just get the pit passes and go early to find a general admission seat on the back stretch.

Friday hot laps 4:45 racing 5:45 racing concludes around close to 11:00
Saturday hot laps approximately 9AM. listen up on Friday time depends on how many features they need to run. first feature probably less than an hour after hot laps starting. zillions of features all day and night ending near midnight.

there is lots of hotel choices within twenty minute drive in Tulsa and adjacent suburbs from $50 up to $200 depending on your comfort level.
I should do it sooner but have always booked within the last few weeks and have always gotten something decent in the $70 range.

We do Friday/Saturday every year. Have done the whole week before. As for the cost, IDK about tickets, but a pit pass only ticket will run you $100 for two days. I bring my cooler in and sit on it, or I bring a lawnchair in. You can set up camp right in front of Keith Kunz stuff and watch the TV that is mounted on the back of grandstands, or in the back of the building usually near where Felker parks. A TV mounted on the wall back there. If you must see the racetrack, there are pit bleachers turn 3, and on the backstretch. I have stood on the right side of the ramp no issue. Eventually after a few races you work your way to the front of the line where cars go on the track. No big deal. I prefer it than to be in the stands packed like sardines with a bunch of drunken slobs!