How did the Chili Bowl Nationals get its name? The history behind the Super Bowl of Midget Racing

In the world of midget racing, the Chili Bowl Nationals is one of the biggest midget races of the year in the United States. Held annually in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this indoor midget car racing extravaganza draws competitors from around the world. As the Chili Bowl Nationals is the prestigious event, have you ever wondered how this legendary event got its name?

The Chili Bowl Nationals, known as the Super Bowl of Midget Racing, were founded in 1987 by two motorsports enthusiasts, Lanny Edwards and Emmett Hahn. But what about the name? The name “Chili Bowl” came after a local company that sponsored the inaugural event in 1987.

It all started when Bobby Berryhill, a Tulsa businessman who owned a food service company called “The Chili Bowl Company," He sponsored the inaugural Midget Nationals. Recognizing this, the two promoters Edwards and Hahn decided to name the event the “Chili Bowl,” after the company.

Recalling how his “The Chili Bowl Company,” known for its pre-mix and pre-made chilli distribution in the US, landed as a sponsor for Edwards and Hahn’s Midget series, Bobby Berryhill said (via Floracing):

“I do remember that I was at the fairgrounds at the expo, and Emmett and Lanny were both there getting it all put together for what they were going to do. One of them mentioned, ‘Heck, we need a sponsorship.’ And I said, ‘Well I’ll be your sponsor. And they said okay. And that’s how it started, very low key.”

The first Chili Bowl raced with 52 entries, and now it’s the biggest indoor race around, with over 350 cars, held annually in January.

After a few years, Berryhill sold their company to Keebler, and their run as sponsor ended after that, but the name Chili Bowl stayed with the tournament forever.

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When is the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals?

The 2025 edition of the Chili Bowl Nationals is the 39th edition of the event and is set to be held from January 12-18, with racing taking place each night beginning on Sunday, January 12, and concluding with the 55-lap main event on Saturday, January 18.

Several NASCAR drivers who have entered for this year's Chili Bowl Nationals are Kyle Larson, Brent Crews, Todd Kluever, Brad Sweet, Ty Gibbs, JJ Yeley, Josh Bilicki, Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Watch the entire 2025 Chili Bowl action will be broadcast live exclusively on FloRacing.