In many respects, the 38th edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals will go down as one of the most unusual ever.
In so many ways the on-track action mirrored the extreme swings in weather that fans experienced over the course of the event.
Each edition of this race provides an endless string of storylines, and this one was no different.
One year ago, the Chili Bowl kicked off a glorious campaign for California’s Logan Seavey. It is easy to imagine Seavey did not want the 2023 season to end.
However, it is clear his magic carpet ride is far from over. Once again, a Swindell was in victory lane at Tulsa while Tim Bertrand and supporter Mike Curb’s contributions cannot be overlooked.
When fans file out of the SageNet Center it is always a slightly melancholy time. They know the book has closed again on one of America’s greatest short-track races. Looking back on the week that was, here are a dozen takeaways from this indoor classic.
Seavey’s Universe
It’s Logan Seavey’s universe. In 2023, Seavey absolutely waxed his peers in the NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series. That title chase was over before it really started.
Additionally, he went toe to toe with Kody Swanson and emerged atop the USAC Silver Crown standings.
Then, there were those moments he will remember for the rest of his life like the sweep of the USAC portion of the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway and winning in both midget and Silver Crown action on the same day at two different race tracks.
While there will be discussions about the track conditions for the 55-lap Chili Bowl finale, Seavey also topped the Race of Champions and then on Friday, in what everyone agreed was an incredible field of drivers, he nipped Ryan Timms on the last lap to win.
By the time the cars were staged on Saturday night he was the odds-on favorite, and he delivered.
It is also time for the spotlight to shine even brighter on Seavey. He must be in the discussion when the best open-wheel drivers in America are debated. Over the course of two years, approximately 700 drivers have signed in at the Chili Bowl and he has been the last one standing.
Rules Emphasis
In what was clearly a major topic of conversation, the cars and even the drivers came under intense scrutiny. It would not have been so shocking if not for the seeming absence of rules in past years.
The last sentence isn’t really a criticism. However, it does provoke the question why now? Is this an effort to level the playing field? If so, is this an effective way to do it? This is potentially a far more intriguing question than it may appear.
Jay Drake, a Chili Bowl winner and a member of the Keith Kunz Motorsports team, slightly bemoaned the death of the run-what-you-brung era. Drake said he enjoyed the work of Andy Bondio, Sammy Swindell and his current team.
Who remembers the radical bodywork on cars piloted by Danny Lasoski and J.J. Yeley?
Or do you remember when Bondio put a motorcycle wheel on the left front? Even the bobtailed midget raised a ruckus among some purists. In some ways this was fun and you pondered what the next move would be. Did it get out of hand? Some say yes.
In any respect, we may never see this kind of innovation again and that seems a little sad. One more thing. The funny thing about rules is that they cost everyone money.
Transponders & Watches
Another issue in this arena involved swapping out transponders and driver’s watches on the grid. By any measure this was an eye-opening move. While watching all of this transpire, it reminded one of performance enhancing drugs in stick-and-ball sports as the cheaters are always a half-step in front of the enforcers.
My hunch is the justification for doing nefarious things is that others are doing it, too. Maybe so, but I can’t imagine what it feels like to take the checkered flag under such circumstances.
Larson Comes & Goes
In 2023, Kyle Larson did not participate in the Chili Bowl after voicing concerns about the size of the purse. It was a polarizing issue among fans.
Many were caught off guard this year when Larson did an about face. The fact that Keith Kunz Motorsports made a car available at the last minute provoked a number of funny memes on social media.
Any promoter in this age benefits when Larson is in the house.
Certainly, there were a few fans bitter about his 2023 boycott, but all evidence indicated that those in the grandstands were glued to his every move.
That he flipped was shocking as was the fact that he did not lock into the big show. His Chili Bowl was over before it really started.
Some felt justice was served. Yet, other drivers have quietly done exactly what Larson has done in the past.
Managing The Chili Bowl
A survey of veteran drivers produced a general agreement on how to succeed at the Chili Bowl. Here are a few key observations.
First, do not over drive your car in your anxiety to get to the front. Second, do not play hero trying to gain one extra spot in your heat race or qualifier, but rather let the race come to you and take what you can get.
As easy as this sounds, these principles get violated repeatedly. Justin Grant was trying for one more spot. If his late-race move had been successful he would have had a great starting position on Saturday.
It didn’t work out and he was in his street clothes well before driver introductions started. He probably would like that lap back. If it happens to Grant it can happen to anybody.
Pace Of The Show
The programs were run in a very efficient manner, and much credit is due to the various officials. The ability to get cars through the pits and in and off the track is a logistical nightmare. The preliminary nights were completed in record time.
For those who grumble over things like driver introductions, it is really time to get over it. Elaborate opening ceremonies are germane to major events. The drivers who survived a 350-car field and made it to the starting grid deserve a moment in the spotlight.
Jerry & Cale Coons
Jerry Coons Jr. and his son, Cale, were one of the feel-good stories of the week.
For Jerry, an engine problem put his entire Chili Bowl in doubt before Dave Estep and the RMS team pulled out a backup car for Coons.
He responded by qualifying for his 24th preliminary night feature.
In an added emotional twist, Cale was assigned to Joe Dooling’s No. 63 midget. It was a car that his father had piloted as well as the late Bryan Clauson. This was Cale’s first time in a full midget.
On Friday night, the youngster looked poised as he made the starting field. His 10th-place finish had most nodding in appreciation.
Then, on Saturday, father and son landed in the same C main. Cale transferred to the B main, while Jerry finished one spot shy of the cutoff. We will be hearing from Cale Coons for a long time.
The NEMA Connection
Tim Bertrand, a partner of Kevin and Jordan Swindell, and Matt Seymour Racing, which fielded cars for Hank Davis and Timmy Buckwalter, spend most of the summer racing on pavement with the Northeastern Midget Ass’n.
Matt Seymour Racing was also victorious in the Little 500 sprint car race at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway with youthful Jake Trainor, who served on the crew this week.
Many of the NEMA teams have been vital to the resurgence of midget racing at Indianapolis Raceway Park. It is a reminder the professional race teams have transferable skills.
Hank Davis
Numerous drivers can be singled out for praise, but Hank Davis had a tremendous week. This could be a big year for the Oklahoma driver. A preliminary win during the 2023 Chili Bowl caused all to reach for their programs and this year he netted a runner-up spot on Tuesday and backed it up with a fifth-place run when the money was on the line.
The list of his believers got a whole lot longer. This season, Davis will compete with Cornell Racing Stables, one of the long-standing USAC midget teams. He appears equal to the task.
Keith Kunz Motorsports
While undoubtedly disappointed not to win a Golden Driller, it was a strong week for one of the premier teams in midget racing.
Tanner Carrick and Buddy Kofoid netted preliminary wins, while Ryan Timms came within a whisker of joining them.
Kofoid shook off the disappointment of a year ago and demonstrated anew that he is one of the best midget racers of our age. He may be poised for a big year with the World of Outlaws.
Chase Briscoe
The personable NASCAR Cup Series veteran returned to his open-wheel roots and enjoyed a strong week.
Past experience is helpful, but Briscoe does not race an open-wheel car 80 times a year. He finished fourth on Monday and took care of business on Saturday. We expect to see him in a sprint car a bit more this summer.
Changing Of The Guard
When the final grid was rolled to the track on Saturday, it was interesting to note who was missing from the field.
In this case we’re talking about drivers who have won major championships. There are several reasons for this.
First, this event is extremely difficult. A driver needs to be nearly perfect every time on the track and have a little luck as well.
Secondly, turnover reflects a basic fact of life. Time marches on. As micro racing has expanded exponentially, younger drivers move into midget and sprint car racing after taking on serious competition for years.
They are hungry and ready to take the next step in their career.
Viewed dispassionately there are a plethora of talented drivers on the horizon. Kale Drake was the rookie of the year, but it is important to remember that Corey Day, Buddy Kofoid, Daison Pursley, Emerson Axsom and so many others — are incredibly young people.
Oh, by the way, Seavey is 26 years old. The future is bright.
The Race Track
It was a wild ride for sure. On Monday everyone heaped praise on the racing surface and by Saturday night, social media pundits and some participants were outraged.
Midweek we saw imposing and tricky ledges, and it was clear that some drivers were simply unprepared to manage the conditions. That’s the nature of dirt-track racing.
The drivers and teams who can adapt are the ones who thrive. It may not be fun for every participant but watching racers on the ragged edge is thrilling. In the end the two drivers who were the toughest all week finished at the top of the queue.
Was the Saturday night finale 100 percent satisfying? No. What made matters worse was that the big show came on the heels of a stellar night of racing on Friday.
However, with the notable exception of Daison Pursley (who started his day in a D main) who finished fourth after starting on the outside of the 10th row, and Michael Faccinto, who improved nine spots, there was little passing. There was even a hint of drama brewing. Unfortunately, as Logan Seavey inched closer to encountering significant lapped traffic, the yellow flag waved.
Seavey and his closest supporters were the only ones who were not disappointed. Shortly after the halfway point in the 55-lap finale, the race track took rubber and all of the participants dropped to the bottom groove.
When the checkered flag waved, the howling was nearly instantaneous. Disappointment is understandable. We all long for the instant classic. However, vilifying people who work their tails off long into the night all week long is unacceptable. No one ever sets out to prepare a track that doesn’t support good racing. It will never be an exact science.
There is one truth in racing. One can change formats and procedures, and dirt tracks can throw one a curve, but 90 percent of the time, the best get to the front.
In the end, the man who has been the best midget racer in the nation prevailed once more, and a two-time national champion was the runner-up. Most can also imagine Corey Day, who finished third, capturing a Golden Driller in the near future.
Seavey remains in the zone. How long he can keep this up remains to be seen. It was one more endorsement on a résumé that is pointing to a Hall of Fame career.
The greatest imaginable array of short-track racing talent was on hand for the Chili Bowl. Fans and cars crowded into every corner of the building, the grandstands were lively and there were after parties to be had.
There still is nothing in racing quite like it. Year after year there is only one real observation to be made.
The Chili Bowl always delivers.
This story appeared in the Jan 17, 2024, edition of the SPEED SPORT Insider.
