Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

This could be one of those "did I miss the announcement?" things...

Just saw in Flatout that Schatz will be driving Bryan Clausen's ride for Chili Bowl.... should be interesting

Now I really wish I could go, not sure if I want to take a chance with scalpers  or pit pass.... Can you find good places to watch with a pit pass?

1st yr I went I stood in the pit stands going into corner 3.  You can see good but you better get up there early. Dont plan on leaing your spot much after the E mains or so.  You will also have to stand the whole time.

I wouldn't do it.    There are huge video screens where you can watch the action from the pits, but there's no place to sit down.   The one time I went to the Chili Bowl I spent nearly the entire day in the pits.   You wind up standing the entire time and I'm too old for that.  You also spend a good time dodging cars coming off of the track or being pushed through the pits.   My job situation is now to the point where I can look at going to the Chili Bowl again, but not unless I've got a seat in the stands.   

Will be making my first trip to the Chili Bowl this year....19 hour drive from PA....beyond pumped.    Looks like Schatz and I will both be rookies

Rev,  keep an eye on the various midget hotbeds Craiglists (Indy, Wisc, Tulsa, So Cal, Dallas) and EBay and you can most likely find a reserved seat between now and then.   They sent out a letter with the tickets this year that stated if you were caught selling for more than face value, you lose your ticket rights for next year so you might even try calling the Chili Bowl and getting on a list.  

Yes,  you did miss the announcement.   Schatz has even practiced in it since he has never driven a midget before and tweeted out that he had a blast.  

i don't see Schatz doing good at the chili bowl. Schatz isn't a beat and bang kind of a driver. You could see that in the last knoxville nationals race when Johnson banged wheels with him how upset he was. i must say that schatz is the cleanest driver i ever watched in a sprint car. i have watched numerous chili bowls and there is a  lot of beating and banging going on. i guess time will tell. good luck donnie

This is spot on. He's nowehere near a beat and bang kind of driver at all (here comes someone who hates Schatz mentioning one race where banged wheels with a guy)...and that's definitely the type of driving that goes on as thats what the event and track dictates. 

Betcha he can become one really quick.   

I dunno.  He has improved in the late model ranks and they certainly rub some paint.

He won't even make the race......any takers on that fact?

If you are talking the A main, no, I wouldnt bet that he would. I would however bet he races in one of the TV features ( C or B). Donny is Donny, and the Clausons know how to make a car go. If you think they'll be out to lunch, your not giving them ANY credit.

"We got us a bet here Babalugats!!"

I am lucky enough to work at one of the best tracks 
anywhere.

I bet it would be tough to name more than 3 drivers right now that WILL ABSOLUTELY be in the Saturday Chili Bowl A main.   That is part of what makes the Chili Bowl great.   

Like to see Schatz get some practice at Turkey Night.

I suspect he will get some good practice running the Race of Champions on Tuesday night.  That will give him a good idea what to  expect on his qualifying night.

I wouldn't count Schatz out of anything. He's got as much pure talent as anyone who ever strapped into a sprinter and although I don't really follow the fendered stuff, he seems to have quickly become very good when he runs his late model as well. Give him some laps in a midget, and he'll be a contender. I do agree that the beat and bang thing isn't his deal but he's been able to be as successful as he has all while being the cleanest driver out there so I have no doubt that he'll be able to adapt in whatever way he needs to in order to get the job done. I think he'll do well. Making the A on Saturday can sometimes be as much luck as it is skill and we've seen some crazy shit happen over the years but I wouldn't be surprised at all of he's able to make it. 

Heard Donny is running DuQuoin indoor show in December 

Mr.Schatz is most comfortable with a wing and He is the best there is right now.If I remember correctly several years ago He tried non winged I beleive USAC cars for awhile with not his normal success.The Chili bowl is a special race with no weight limit and a different set of rules that favor a lighter driver and one off cars.Steve Kinser[ who is still the best ever] tried it  and the thing that is unique about the Chili Bowl is its not about the money and everyone seems to be having fun and the timing allows the best drivers in several series a chance to show their talent.TIm Mcreadie won it one year and broke his neck the next year so there is a certain amount of risk as they flip more cars than a whole season of WOO racing. I would guess that the Chili bowl makes more profit than many of the top races all year.

Tim McCreadie won on his first visit...

Member of this message board since 1997

No...McCreadie was there in 2005, finished in the top 10 I think, before winning in 2006.  Still impressive though.