The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals is an annual indoor midget car racing event held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, usually in January. It is one of the most prestigious and well-known events in the world of dirt track racing and has gained a cult following among racing enthusiasts.
History of Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals
The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals is an annual midget car racing event held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, typically in January. It is one of the most prestigious and well-known events in midget car racing and has a rich history dating back to its inception in the 1980s. Here’s a brief history of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl:
Inception (1987): The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was first held in 1987, making it one of the oldest and most established midget car racing events in the United States. The race was founded by racing promoter and Chili Bowl Enterprises owner Emmett Hahn.
1987: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1987 marked the inaugural year of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1987 Chili Bowl Nationals.
Winner: The winner of the inaugural 1987 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Kevin Olson. Kevin Olson emerged as the champion of the very first edition of the event.
Significance: The 1987 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals holds historical significance as the inaugural event. It laid the foundation for what would become one of the most prestigious midget car racing events in the United States.
1988: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1988 marked the second edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1988 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1988 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Scott Hatton. Scott Hatton emerged victorious in what was only the second year of the event’s existence.
Significance: The Chili Bowl Nationals has grown in stature over the years and is now considered one of the most prestigious midget car racing events in the United States. Scott Hatton’s victory in 1988 was a significant achievement in the early history of the event.
1989: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1989 marked the third edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1989 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1989 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Sammy Swindell. Sammy Swindell, a highly accomplished sprint car racer, secured his first Chili Bowl Nationals win in 1989.
Significance: Sammy Swindell’s victory in 1989 marked a significant achievement in his career and further solidified the Chili Bowl Nationals as one of the premier midget car racing events in the United States.
1990: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1990 marked the fourth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1990 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1990 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was John Heydenreich. John Heydenreich emerged as the champion of the 1990 event.
Significance: John Heydenreich’s victory in 1990 was a significant achievement in his career and added to the legacy of the Chili Bowl Nationals as one of the premier midget car racing events in the United States.
1991: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1991 marked the fifth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1991 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1991 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Lealand McSpadden. Lealand McSpadden secured the championship in 1991.
Significance: Lealand McSpadden’s victory in 1991 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals and solidified the event’s reputation as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
1992: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1992 marked the sixth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1992 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1992 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Sammy Swindell. Sammy Swindell, a highly accomplished sprint car racer, secured his second Chili Bowl Nationals win in 1992.
Significance: Sammy Swindell’s victory in 1992 marked his second Chili Bowl Nationals win, further establishing his reputation as one of the event’s notable competitors. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to gain prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
1993: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1993 marked the seventh edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1993 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1993 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Dave Blaney. Dave Blaney, a versatile racer known for his success in various forms of motorsports, secured the championship in 1993.
Significance: Dave Blaney’s victory in 1993 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to grow in stature as one of the premier midget car racing competitions in the United States.
1994: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1994 marked the eighth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1994 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1994 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Andy Hillenburg. Andy Hillenburg earned the championship in 1994.
Significance: Andy Hillenburg’s victory in 1994 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to gain prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
1995: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1995 marked the ninth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1995 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1995 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Donnie Beechler. Donnie Beechler claimed the championship in 1995.
Significance: Donnie Beechler’s victory in 1995 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to grow in stature as one of the premier midget car racing competitions in the United States.
1996: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1996 marked the tenth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1996 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1996 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Sammy Swindell. Sammy Swindell, a highly accomplished sprint car racer, secured his third Chili Bowl Nationals win in 1996.
Significance: Sammy Swindell’s victory in 1996 marked his third Chili Bowl Nationals win, further solidifying his reputation as one of the event’s most successful competitors. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to grow in prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
1997: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1997 marked the eleventh edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1997 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1997 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Billy Boat. Billy Boat emerged as the champion of the 1997 event.
Significance: Billy Boat’s victory in 1997 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to gain prominence as one of the premier midget car racing competitions in the United States.
1998: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1998 marked the twelfth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1998 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1998 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Sammy Swindell. Sammy Swindell secured his fourth Chili Bowl Nationals win in 1998.
Significance: Sammy Swindell’s victory in 1998 marked his fourth Chili Bowl Nationals win, further establishing his reputation as one of the event’s most successful competitors. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to grow in prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
1999: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 1999 marked the thirteenth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 1999 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 1999 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Dan Boorse. Dan Boorse claimed the championship in 1999.
Significance: Dan Boorse’s victory in 1999 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to gain prominence as one of the premier midget car racing competitions in the United States.
2000: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2000 marked the fourteenth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2000 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2000 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Cory Kruseman. Cory Kruseman claimed the championship in 2000.
Significance: Cory Kruseman’s victory in 2000 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to grow in stature as one of the premier midget car racing competitions in the United States.
2001: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2001 marked the fifteenth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2001 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2001 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Jay Drake. Jay Drake emerged as the champion of the 2001 event.
Significance: Jay Drake’s victory in 2001 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to gain prominence as one of the premier midget car racing competitions in the United States.
2002: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2002 marked the sixteenth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2002 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2002 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Tony Stewart. Tony Stewart, a prominent NASCAR Cup Series champion and versatile racer, secured the championship in 2002.
Significance: Tony Stewart’s victory in 2002 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. His win showcased the event’s reputation for attracting top talent from various racing disciplines.
2003: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2003 marked the seventeenth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2003 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2003 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Dan Boorse. Dan Boorse secured his second Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2003.
Significance: Dan Boorse’s victory in 2003 marked his second Chili Bowl Nationals win, adding to his legacy in the event. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to grow in stature as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2004: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2004 marked the eighteenth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2004 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2004 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Cory Kruseman. Cory Kruseman secured his second Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2004.
Significance: Cory Kruseman’s victory in 2004 marked his second Chili Bowl Nationals win, further establishing his reputation as one of the event’s successful competitors. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to gain prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2005: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2005 marked the nineteenth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2005 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2005 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Tracy Hines. Tracy Hines claimed the championship in 2005.
Significance: Tracy Hines’ victory in 2005 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to grow in stature as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2006: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2006 marked the twentieth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2006 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2006 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Tim McCreadie. Tim McCreadie secured the championship in 2006.
Significance: Tim McCreadie’s victory in 2006 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to gain prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2007: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2007 marked the twenty-first edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2007 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2007 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Tony Stewart. Tony Stewart secured his second Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2007.
Significance: Tony Stewart’s victory in 2007 marked his second Chili Bowl Nationals win, adding to his legacy in the event. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to grow in stature as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2008: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2008 marked the twenty-second edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2008 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2008 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Damion Gardner. Damion Gardner secured the championship in 2008.
Significance: Damion Gardner’s victory in 2008 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to gain prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2009: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2009 marked the twenty-third edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2009 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2009 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Sammy Swindell. Sammy Swindell secured his fifth Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2009.
Significance: Sammy Swindell’s victory in 2009 marked his fifth Chili Bowl Nationals win, further solidifying his reputation as one of the event’s most successful competitors. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to grow in prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2010: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2010 marked the twenty-fourth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2010 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2010 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Kevin Swindell. Kevin Swindell, the son of racing legend Sammy Swindell, claimed the championship in 2010.
Significance: Kevin Swindell’s victory in 2010 marked a significant achievement in his career and added to the Swindell family’s legacy at the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to grow in stature as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2011: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2011 marked the twenty-fifth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2011 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2011 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Kevin Swindell. Kevin Swindell secured his second consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2011.
Significance: Kevin Swindell’s victory in 2011 marked his second consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals win, solidifying his status as a top competitor in the event. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to gain prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2012: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2012 marked the twenty-sixth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2012 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2012 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Kevin Swindell. Kevin Swindell secured his third consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2012.
Significance: Kevin Swindell’s victory in 2012 marked his third consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals win, establishing him as one of the most dominant competitors in the event’s history. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to grow in stature as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2013: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2013 marked the twenty-seventh edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2013 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2013 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Kevin Swindell. Kevin Swindell secured his fourth consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2013.
Significance: Kevin Swindell’s victory in 2013 marked his fourth consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals win, an incredible feat in the event’s history. He continued to dominate the competition, and the Chili Bowl Nationals solidified its reputation as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2014: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2014 marked the twenty-eighth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2014 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2014 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Bryan Clauson. Bryan Clauson claimed the championship in 2014.
Significance: Bryan Clauson’s victory in 2014 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to grow in stature as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2015: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2015 marked the twenty-ninth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2015 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2015 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Rico Abreu. Rico Abreu claimed the championship in 2015.
Significance: Rico Abreu’s victory in 2015 added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to gain prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2016: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2016 marked the thirtieth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2016 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2016 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Rico Abreu. Rico Abreu secured his second consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2016.
Significance: Rico Abreu’s victory in 2016 marked his second consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals win, further solidifying his status as a top competitor in the event. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to grow in stature as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2017: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2017 marked the thirty-first edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2017 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2017 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Christopher Bell. Christopher Bell claimed the championship in 2017.
Significance: Christopher Bell’s victory in 2017 marked a significant achievement in his career, and it added to the list of notable winners in the history of the Chili Bowl Nationals. The event continued to gain prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2018: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2018 marked the thirty-second edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2018 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2018 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Christopher Bell. Christopher Bell claimed his second consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2018.
Significance: Christopher Bell’s victory in 2018 marked his second consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals win, solidifying his status as a top competitor in the event. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to grow in stature as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2019: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2019 marked the thirty-third edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2019 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2019 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Christopher Bell. Christopher Bell secured his third Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2019.
Significance: Christopher Bell’s victory in 2019 marked his third Chili Bowl Nationals win, further solidifying his status as one of the most successful competitors in the event’s history. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to gain prominence as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2020: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2020 marked the thirty-fourth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2020 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2020 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Kyle Larson. Kyle Larson claimed the championship in 2020.
Significance: Kyle Larson’s victory in 2020 was notable as he became the first driver in 13 years to win the Chili Bowl Nationals on his first attempt since Tony Stewart in 2002. Larson’s win added to the event’s storied history, and the Chili Bowl Nationals continued to be recognized as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2021: The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in 2021 marked the thirty-fifth edition of this prestigious midget car racing event. Here are some key details from the 2021 Chili Bowl Nationals:
Winner: The winner of the 2021 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Christopher Bell. Christopher Bell secured his fourth Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2021.
Significance: Christopher Bell’s victory in 2021 marked his fourth Chili Bowl Nationals win, further cementing his status as one of the most successful competitors in the event’s history. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to be recognized as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2022: The 36th edition of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire takes place January 10-15, 2022. Reserved Seats will continue to be sold in six, five, and four-day packages will prices unchanged from the previous event.
Winner: The winner of the 2022 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Tanner Thorson. Tanner Thorson secured his second Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2022.
Significance: Tanner Thorson’s victory in 2022 marked his Second Chili Bowl Nationals win, further cementing his status as one of the most successful competitors in the event’s history. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to be recognized as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
2023: The 37th edition of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire takes place January 7-14, 2023. Reserved Seats will continue to be sold in six, five, and four-day packages will prices unchanged from the previous event.
Winner: The winner of the 2023 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals was Logan Seavey. Logan Seavey secured his First Chili Bowl Nationals win in 2022.
Significance: Logan Seavey’s victory in 2023 marked his First Chili Bowl Nationals win, further cementing his status as one of the most successful competitors in the event’s history. The Chili Bowl Nationals continued to be recognized as a premier midget car racing competition in the United States.
Winner List of Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals
- 1987: Kevin Olson
- 1988: Scott Hatton
- 1989: Sammy Swindell
- 1990: John Heydenreich
- 1991: Lealand McSpadden
- 1992: Sammy Swindell
- 1993: Dave Blaney
- 1994: Andy Hillenburg
- 1995: Donnie Beechler
- 1996: Sammy Swindell
- 1997: Billy Boat
- 1998: Sammy Swindell
- 1999: Dan Boorse
- 2000: Cory Kruseman
- 2001: Jay Drake
- 2002: Tony Stewart
- 2003: Dan Boorse
- 2004: Cory Kruseman
- 2005: Tracy Hines
- 2006: Tim McCreadie
- 2007: Tony Stewart
- 2008: Damion Gardner
- 2009: Sammy Swindell
- 2010: Kevin Swindell
- 2011: Kevin Swindell
- 2012: Kevin Swindell
- 2013: Kevin Swindell
- 2014: Bryan Clauson
- 2015: Rico Abreu
- 2016: Rico Abreu
- 2017: Christopher Bell
- 2018: Christopher Bell
- 2019: Christopher Bell
- 2020: Event canceled due to COVID-19.
- 2021: Kyle Larson
- 2022: Tanner Thorson
- 2023: Logan Seavey
Notable Participants
Over the years, the Chili Bowl Nationals has attracted a wide range of racing talent, including NASCAR stars like Tony Stewart, Kyle Larson, and Kasey Kahne. Many midget and sprint car racers from various disciplines also compete in the event.
Growth and Popularity
The Chili Bowl Nationals has grown in popularity over the years, drawing large crowds of fans and participants. The event’s unique atmosphere, with chili being served in the pits, has contributed to its charm and appeal.
Lucas Oil Partnership: In 2009, Lucas Oil Products became the title sponsor of the event, leading to its current name, the “Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.”
Impact
The Chili Bowl Nationals has played a significant role in promoting midget car racing and has helped launch the careers of many talented drivers who have gone on to compete in higher levels of motorsports.
The Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals continues to be a highly anticipated event in the world of motorsports, celebrating the rich tradition of midget car racing and providing fans with thrilling racing action each year.
