(Image Credit: Dave Olson)
Bryan Hulbert - TULSA, Okla. (January 29, 2018) - For those who already have tickets to the indoor racing spectacular that is the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, getting seats from year-to-year is simple. If you don't have tickets for the Chili Bowl, things can get a little more complicated, but really it's not as hard as you think.
Granted, Chili Bowl tickets are a coveted thing. So much so that they have been bequeathed on more than one occasion, but they are not out of reach. Here are the 12 most common questions we get about tickets. Our answers are in hopes of informing and giving you a giggle.
1. So, with the deadline for ticket renewals set, the question is when can the general public get in line for tickets? Here's what most people don't know, and we've tried to let them know. You can call and order tickets during the renewal process. It all starts the same day, usually the first Wednesday of March. This doesn't guarantee your tickets, but it does put you in line to receive tickets once the previous year's ticket holders have been taken care of.
2. How long until we know what is still available? Call us old-fashioned, but we pull all orders by hand. We DO NOT use any online ordering or sorting system for our tickets. If you see seats for sale online, that's not us. Now, because we hand pull and ship all orders, it takes about a month after the deadline to truly know what is available. Tickets are mailed most years in June.
HINT: When you call and order tickets for the first time, try not to be overly picky about where you sit. There really isn't a bad seat at the Chili Bowl. What works best is to say how many you want, as close as possible. We'll do our best to try to get you next to your buddy. Getting an aisle seat is right up there with seeing a unicorn.*
3. If I ordered for the first time, when do I get charged? If paying with a credit card, we do not charge anyone until we are able to pull their order. That goes back to hand pulling tickets to make sure you are not out money due to a computer glitch. Granted, we are human, but there is something reassuring about being able to see the actual ticket before we finalize any charges. If you pay by check, the check is sent to our bank as soon as we get it since most checks have a 90 day window. If we can't get you tickets, we will refund your money. If you don’t see a charge to your card by June, we were not able to get you tickets.
4. How can I pay? We take Visa, Mastercard, Check, Money Order, and of course Cash. We do not take American Express, Discover, or foreign currency.
5. Is there a limit to the number of tickets I can buy? Not at all. We have people who order 50 tickets at a time but remember, they have been collecting these seats for years, and usually are the go-to for the entire town.
6. How many rows are there? Depends on where you are sitting. If you are on the front straight-a-way, there are 14 rows. These are the most coveted tickets and usually, don't come up for sale. Turns three and four are the super-stands, they are 35 rows and that is where most of the unclaimed tickets end up.
7. Do I need a ticket to watch the Chili Bowl? Knowing you have a seat is the best way to go, but not the only way to go. The Pit Pass gives you access to the entire Pit area, obviously, but it also gives you access to the back straightaway where seating is first come, first serve. This is the home of the Top Row Rowdies. This is their domain, and you will be judged on your partying ability. Just remember, these seats are first come, first serve, so a bribe of beer, or food, to save your seat when nature calls might be a good idea. Also, Pit Passes cannot be purchased in advance, they must be purchased at the Chili Bowl.
8. I bought my tickets online, but lost them, can you replace them? Absolutely NOT. If you bought your tickets from someone besides the nice ladies, or occasional guy, that answers the phones at the Chili Bowl office, you are out of luck. There is no way around this.
9. I bought my tickets from the Chili Bowl, but lost them, can you replace them? Now see, we can work with you on this. Anyone who attends the Chili Bowl, who has lost or left their tickets at home, will be charged again for their tickets. No exceptions. Only when the tickets are found and returned to the Chili Bowl Office will a refund be issued for the second charge. The buyer has 30 days after the Chili Bowl to claim a refund. Again, we are not liable for any second hand purchased tickets. Tickets must be purchased from the Chili Bowl Office.
10. So and so said I could have their seats, can I switch them over? NO YOU MAY NOT. Unless we have direct permission from the person who has claim to those tickets, we will not switch tickets to anyone.
11. So and so has died, can we get their tickets? Remember that comment earlier about bequeathing tickets? This falls into that category. Only a family member can release the tickets, and they must be the executor of that person's estate, and provide a certificate of death to the Chili Bowl offices before the tickets can be released.
12. Can I just purchase Saturday night? Reserved Seats are sold in 4, 5, and 6-day packages. The only way to buy an individual Saturday ticket from the Chili Bowl is via a Pit Pass.
We hope this answers some of your questions. We realize we probably haven't covered every question that arises, but these are the 11 most common we get. If you have any other question, please call us at 918-838-3777, Monday-Friday, between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. (CT).
For continued updates on the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, fans can follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with @CBNationals. All official press, updates, and results on the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire can be found online at http://www.chilibowl.com.
Quick Notes:
What: 33rd annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
When: January 14-19, 2019
Where: River Spirit Expo Center – Tulsa Expo Raceway 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74114
Ticket Information:
Ticket Renewals: March 7, 2018 – April 27, 2018
Four Day Ticket: $227 (Wednesday-Saturday)
Five Day Ticket: $282 (Tuesday-Saturday)
Six Day Ticket: $337 (Monday-Saturday)
**Price listed does not include shipping.
Contact:
Phone: (918) 838-3777
Fax: (918) 836-5517
Mail: 1141 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112
Chili Bowl Online:
Website: http://www.chilibowl.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chilibowlnationals
Twitter: (@cbnationals)
Official Hashtag: #ChiliBowl2019
Instagram: cbnationals
Snap Chat: TheChiliBowl
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Champions:
Year - Driver (Owner)
2018 - Christopher Bell (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2017 - Christopher Bell (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2016 - Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2015 - Rico Abreu (Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian)
2014 - Bryan Clauson (Joe Dooling/Rusty Kunz/Curb Records)
2013 - Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2012 - Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2011 - Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2010 - Kevin Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2009 - Sammy Swindell (Swindell Motorsports/Curb Records)
2008 - Damion Gardner (Jason Leffler)
2007 - Tony Stewart (Tony Stewart Motorsports)
2006 - Tim McCreadie (Steve Smith)
2005 - Tracy Hines (Wilke - Pak)
2004 - Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
2003 - Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
2002 - Tony Stewart (Keith Kunz)
2001 - Jay Drake (Keith Kunz)
2000 - Cory Kruseman (Andy Bondio)
1999 - Dan Boorse (Dan Boorse)
1998 - Sammy Swindell (Pete Willoughby)
1997 - Billy Boat (John Lawson)
1996 - Sammy Swindell (Rusty Kunz / Jay McKinnie)
1995 - Donnie Beechler (Zarounian Motorsports)
1994 - Andy Hillenburg (Keith Kuntz / Rusty Kunz)
1993 - Dave Blaney (Ralph Potter)
1992 - Sammy Swindell (Dave Ellis)
1991 - Lealand McSpadden (Andy Bondio)
1990 - John Heydenreich (Tony Finley)
1989 - Sammy Swindell (Jack Runyon)
1988 - Scott Hatton (Jerry Hatton)
1987 - Rich Vogler (Bob Lowe)
VIROC Champions: Chad Boat (2018), Kyle Larson (2014 and 2017), Tanner Thorson (2016), Sammy Swindell (2015, 2012, 2011, 2009), Kevin Swindell (2013), Brad Loyet (2010)
Trade Show: A long-standing tradition at the Chili Bowl, the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday), is free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 vendors. The Trade Show still has space available. Anyone looking to be a part of the Trade Show can contact the Chili Bowl office at 918-838-3777. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
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Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. More information about the products available from Lucas Oil can be found at http://www.lucasoil.com. General Tire is the presenting sponsor of the Chili Bowl. A complete inventory of tires offered by General Tire can be found at http://www.generaltire.com.
Vacuworx Global is the title sponsor of the VIROC which brings past Chili Bowl Champions as well as champions from around the world together for a single 20 lap race to see who is the best of the best. For more information about Vacuworx log onto www.vacuworx.com. For more information on past champions of the VIROC, log onto www.theviroc.com.
Note from the Editor: This list was updated from our original posting in 2014.
- Bryan Hulbert on Jan 29, 2018
- Article Date: 1/28/2018