We arrived in Tulsa early Tuesday morning (2:00) grabbed a couple hours of sleep and was at the Expo building ready to sign in and meet the car owners at 7:00 a.m.. First we were greeted by Lance Pierovich, Trish’s car owner; he was anxious to meet Trish and was ready to get her in the car. She would be driving his #6p, Bob Wirth Mopar Powered, Spike midget. Everything fit well, some decals were added and she was ready for the first set of hot laps. Next we met Jack’s car owners, Keith and Brett Anderson from Belleville, IL. They too, were excited to get Jack in the car and ready. He would be driving the orange #53 Fontana Ford powered Spike.

Trish would go out for hot laps first, and looked really good. Now keep in mind they only give you 4 laps to get a feel for the car and make any adjustments that may need to be done. Next Jack would head out for his hot laps and he had a smile on his face from ear to ear, he was really excited to get his chance in a midget. His hot laps did not go so well, as he was trying to get the feel for the car, being so different from a winged sprint car, his hot lap session would end with a bent front axle, as he looped it on the last lap and another car slid into him. Jack had some mixed feelings, he didn’t like the idea of tearing up equipment and wished he had got a better feel for the car, but he would have to wait until Wed for another chance, and listen to as much advice as he could for the next 24 hours.

Now back to Trish who was getting ready for her qualifying day, she would draw high with the #80 pill and would find herself at the back of the very first heat race of the 22nd annual Chili Bowl. She looked strong and was off to good start, by lap 4 she was up to the 4th spot and looked good, but with just 2 laps to go, she went into turn 1 a little to hard and drifted up allowing a car to get under her, resulting in a slight bump, pushing her up towards the back straight away, allowing the rest of the field to go around her, so now she was right back where she had started. It was really bitter sweet, because she looked really good and definitely drove the car to the front. It was just a matter of “not enough experience in a midget”. Finishing last in her heat race would put her 3rd row inside in the “C” Feature, where once again she had a strong run going until a car spun in front of her in turns 1 and 2 causing her to spin with him. She tagged the rear of the field with just 5 laps to go, and let her impatience cost her any chance of transferring as she had the car in front of her brake check her causing her to hit him and break a right front shock, she had to pull in. Trish was done until Saturday. We loaded up and headed back to out motel to try and get more than 4 hours of sleep on this particular night.

Wednesday morning we headed out around lunch time to meet with Jack’s car owner. Jack’s draw was even worse than Trish’s with a # 86. We just could not get a break. Jack’s hot laps looked much better than those just the day before. He was settling into the car and finally getting the feel for it. Jack too, would start at the back of his heat race. Just one lap into the race, Jack jumped the inside berm in turns 1 and 2 and went for a ride that I thought for sure would see him flip, but somehow he was able to save it, but the damage was done, the tire had come off the bead when it landed. Jack was done. He would be in a last chance qualifier, where once again he would start towards the back. H was running about mid pack, but decided to go up on the cushion a little too early and went no where. He would not advance on to a Feature on Wednesday night. And again he was not totally happy with how things went, but he was getting a lot more comfortable with the car.

Now with the next 2 days off, some of us were able to sleep in and enjoy the days off from work and racing. Thursday we went to the Sprint Car Forum meet and greet and put some faces with some names. It was a nice time, and I think they were surprised we showed up. Thursday’s racing was good as usual. We decided Thursday night would be the night to check out the “FLC” party at the Trade Winds Hotel. It doesn’t start till 2:00 a.m. so it made for another short night. All I can say about it, it was very interesting, too many people and too much smoke for me, although certain members of our crew were having a very good time. This is the party that “adds the spice to the Chili Bowl”.

Friday we headed out to the building behind the Expo Center to watch Jack race Remote Control cars. They have an organization that races there everyday of the Chili Bowl and they ask the drivers to come over and race in what they call “Celebrity Races”. Jack had a good time, and those little remote cars are amazing. Trish raced with them on Wednesday. Friday nights racing was once again very exciting to watch. We spent most of our time in the Pierovich pits, which was located just behind the bleachers towards the front of the pits; we could see the big screen perfect. There has gotten to be so many people, that getting into even the “Pits” stands is almost impossible. It was decided that since Saturday was a racing day, we would all go back and go to bed early…..1:00 a.m.

Saturday, our last day. Hot laps started at noon, Trish was in the first set and once again looked good. Just like on their qualifying days, we just couldn’t get any luck and both started towards the rear of the Features. Trish was in the 1st K and Jack was in the 2nd H. Trish looked good the first 3 or 4 laps, but after a caution, something changed, and she never moved forward. She was disappointed, and would have liked to have transferred at least once. Jack looked good in his Feature and was in the transfer position for most of the race, but with just 3 to go, he chose to go high, and it cost him the transfer position. Jack said it was a good time, but he isn’t quite sure if he would like to do it again or not. It’s really hard to feel comfortable, when the equipment does not belong to you, plus if he did do it again, he would figure out someway to get some practice time in.

All in all, it was once again a good time. We all wish things would have went better, racing wise, but the equipment we had and the car owners were just great. We are very fortunate to have been hooked up with not only one good team, but two. We owe a lot of this to Marty Boyer. Marty spent a lot of time looking for rides for both Jack and Trish and we are very grateful. Marty is great guy, and one of the best Ambassadors that Midget racing has!

It was great to visit with some of our out of town friends, but we also had a good time with the local guys too, like Noel and Dean Chadd and it was great having Jeff Griffis around.

A few of “MY” thoughts on the Chili Bowl

Wish I would have thought of it...$$$$$$$$$$$$$

The pits are not very racer friendly, designed more for the spectator.

They (Expo) don’t allow outside food, but yet their’s is overpriced and less than desirable with little or no customer service.

Now you have to pay to park on the south side, I bet before long all the parking will cost.

The big screen was convenient to watch, when it worked.

Saturday, the color of the day was orange, and Home Depot had tons of free advertising.

Jerry Coons Jr. is one of my favorites along with Billy Wease!

California people are a lot of fun to hang out with!

Our Howard Johnson motel was in much need of a renovation, or at the very least a good cleaning.

Women wearing high heels to a race amaze me…..why are they really there ???????

Last but not least, thanks to all of our Sponsors who made this possible, Randy from RMS was a key sponsor, and we can’t thank him enough. Grandma and Grandpa Dixon came through once again; we wish they could have actually been there. There are others sponsors who have asked to remain anonymous, you know who you are, and we thank you.

Since we have returned from the “Bowl”, things have really heated up in the shop, literally, they installed a new wood burning stove, and with the frigid weather we have had, it was a good investment. Cars are being assembled and we are preparing our 2008 schedule.

Check back often, as we will be updating the 2008 schedule and adding some new pics soon.

Thanks and see ya at the races, soon.