Chili Bowl Racers Take To Track For Practice Day

One day after crews loaded cars and equipment into the Expo Center for this year’s Chili Bowl, more than 300 drivers are getting a feel for the track.

Monday is practice day at the fairgrounds, and the drivers are taking full advantage before heats start races start Tuesday.

One of the names competing in this year’s Chili Bowl is the 2014 champion Bryan Clauson. Also in attendance is NASCAR legend Tony Stewart said he loves the event so much he came just to drive a tractor and help prep the track.

"You don't see 300 of any racecars anywhere other than here, each year. It just doesn't exist,” he said.

Qualifying races begin Tuesday evening at 6:00.

Clauson was one of the many unloading trailers Sunday. He said it seems like the planning for the race gets earlier every year.

1/10/2016 Related Story: Racers Converge On Tulsa For Chili Bowl Nationals

“My guys left Thursday to get down here to get in line, and this event keeps growing and growing, and it seems like every year it gets bigger and bigger,” he said.

He’s not wrong; according to Chili Bowl competition director, Matt Ward, it’s getting harder to get everyone crammed into the Expo Center.

“Since it’s grown to what it is, we have to use every inch of space we’ve got in here for trailers and parking,” Ward said.

You can learn more about the Chili Bowl here.