Shawn Miller's 1st Chili Bowl Experience & Thoughts of DRC

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Tulsa, OK | Jan 15, 2012 - My eyes watered, my throat burned and my ears rang. A haze lingered throughout the building as my body struggled to figure out whether I was under attack. Yet I’m sure I was smiling while a few coughs escaped my oxygen-deprived lungs.

Ahhh, the Chili Bowl.

I spent the past five days at the Quiktrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla., for the 26th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals – the biggest midget race each year. A total of 259 drivers from 32 states as well as Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Finland competed, including some of motor sports’ biggest stars at various levels.

It was my first time at the “Knoxville Nationals” of midget racing and it likely won’t be my last. What a unique event. From the tradeshow to the on-track battles – and everything in between at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds – it was truly an event rather than a race....

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The spectacle began last Tuesday. My first race of 2012 opened in the grandstands in turn one, where I was showered with dirt clods during hot laps. I then watched my buddy, Matt Ward – the ASCS competition director – hold off veteran Jerry Coons Jr. to claim a heat race victory in his first career Chili Bowl.

Ward then charged from fifth to second in his qualifier and finished seventh in the feature, narrowly missing out on being locked into Saturday’s feature by four positions. Watching a friend race so well started the event on a great note.

Unfortunately, it didn’t end that way. On Saturday, a day when everything was being taped by CBS for an April television broadcast, the mood was soured early when the death of Donnie Ray Crawford III that morning spread throughout the building and the racing community.

A teammate of Ward, Crawford’s car was on display with a helmet and flowers on the hood in their pit as a memorial for the thousands of spectators. A sign was laid on a table in front of the pit for various drivers, crew members and fans to write messages of support.

During the Opening Ceremonies, Crawford – a Chili Bowl qualifying night winner in 2011 – was honored with a video and a speech by ASCS leader Donna Hahn Harris. Drivers from Oklahoma walked the track with a special banner and Crawford’s car was moved to the infield.

A couple of donation boxes were set up throughout the facility and as of Sunday night, an estimated $17,000 was raised. Also, I was told NASCAR star Tony Stewart, who finished 10th in Saturday’s feature, said he would match the amount that was donated.

Those were all nice sentiments in memory of a great driver and an even better person. However, it was a sad atmosphere where people tried to comprehend his death while sharing stories of his life.

Numerous memories of Crawford’s on-track success were trumped by the angelic acts off it. Never one to shy away from an autograph, Crawford treated everyone like life-long friends. He wanted to be an EMT and is likely most known for saving the life of fellow racer, Harli White.

In April 2008, White’s micro sprint burst into flames after a crash at I-44 Speedway in Oklahoma City, Okla. She was engulfed for approximately seven minutes as the safety crew was unable to remove her. Crawford, who was buckled into his own race car, hopped out and ran over to the scene. He reached into the fire, unbuckled White and pulled her out. Crawford then smothered the flames on White, who had third-degree burns across 40 percent of her body.

It was an incredible act of courage for Crawford, whose loss was obvious throughout the building on Saturday night; visible on the faces of people who knew him or who knew of him.

Prior to Crawford’s death, my inaugural Chili Bowl was a great experience. While the weather featured sun and snow outside the Quiktrip Center, inside the racing was intense throughout four qualifying nights.

On Saturday, Kevin Swindell claimed his third consecutive Chili Bowl title by leading all 55 feature laps – an homage to Crawford, who piloted a No. 55 sprint car. All five nights looked sold out, with an estimated 17,000 in attendance in the finale. And the event will be showcased on national television in three months.

Yet, it was all overshadowed. I didn’t know Crawford personally and I feel like I missed out. One of the best  things about racing is how close the community is and how supportive teams, drivers, crews and fans are during difficult situations.

The last couple of years have been challenging for this community. There have been too many deaths and too many life-altering injuries. It’s easy to get caught up in the depression in these situations.

I will likely go back to the Chili Bowl as I’m sure most spectators will. I’d bet there will be a nice tribute to Crawford next year and beyond, but I think we should do better than that.

Crawford saved lives when he was alive and I hope his attitude, courage and grace will live on in his death. After all, people don’t have to be stuck in a burning car to need saving.