Perhaps with the exception of Spencer Bayston and RMS Racing, it was a procedural day of practice for the 38th annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
Bayston biked Turn 3 when he went to slow for a caution and it resulted in a pretty violent tumble. It meant that his team had to spend the second half of the day putting their Sage Fruit 1s back together.
“It was a combination of things,” Bayston told Sportsnaut after the incident. “Felt like we were pretty good, better in the second session compared to the first.
“We were behind Tanner (Thorson) there and trying to pace him. The caution came out and it was a combination of lifting for the caution and just getting into the corner and it jumped out and surprised me. Biked and tumbled.
“Didn’t tear it up too much. We should be able to bolt a few more pieces back on and should be fine. That one surprised me. You can almost anticipate these but this one surprised. I feel bad for the RMS crew and Sage Fruit car but we’ll bolt it back together and be ready for tomorrow.”
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The way practice day works is that the field is split into 40 groups of 10 and they started the day at 9 a.m. until all 40 groups have turned their four laps. Then they started over again from Group 40 and worked their way back down to the first group.
That’s more or less 320 green flag laps. Transponders were not placed on cars so there was no scoring and timing mechanism for the sessions.
Beyond the Bayston flip, the biggest story within the building was just how teams responded to a new mandated right rear tire compound, which is basically the one used in outdoors USAC competition.
A snapshot of driver quotes can be found below.
2023 winner Logan Seavey, Bertrand/Swindell Speedlab
“Really, today was just shaking it down again and making sure it was where we ended and I’ve run this tire all year so it’s nothing huge for me. We didn’t have to change much.”
2022 winner Tanner Thorson, Tanner Thorson Racing
“We came back here with the same package, a few things different here and there between our team cars. I’m excited to see where we stack up with this new right rear. We all kind of have a notebook here but I feel like it’s washed away with this tire. Today was a good day. We tried some things to gain and got faster each session. Excited about it.”
Chase Briscoe, Briscoe Racing
“We have a little bit different package than what we brought last year, new engine package from almost everyone here but TMez and Joe B. Miller. That’s been a lot to wrap my head around because the weight is different and the quirks of how it drives. Unless every other year, I didn’t test before coming here, so it’s been different. It has me scratching my head a little bit.”
Two-time USAC champion Buddy Kofoid, Keith Kunz Motorsports
“I was pretty good. The biggest thing is obviously the right rear tire. Just getting used to that. Getting tighter. We started on a track that was super wet and then our second session, it was super slick, which was a benefit for us. Speed wise, I feel like we were pretty good. The tire was about what I expected it to feel like. It has little to no grip and it doesn’t roll over like the SP2 does. The RD12, the previous tire is wider, but it rolled over more, had more side bite, and overall more grip. I think that was the big difference with a harder and narrower tire. The feel is a lot different, especially when the track is slicked off, and you feel it right away. Overall, the change is the same for everyone, and there are things that I feel really good about and I know there are things for us to work on.”
Tyler Courtney, Abacus Racing
“I learned how to drive a Midget again. I was in one last November but other than that but all I’ve raced the past couple of years is winged Sprint Cars. I’m a little rusty but I felt like I knew what I was doing again come the second session. These guys had a great season with Logan (winning the USAC championship with Seavey) and him being committed to Kevin (Swindell) opened the ride up and it was a great fit for me and NOS Energy Drink.”
David Gravel, Abacus Racing
“It was just getting comfortable again. I didn’t do Chili Bowl last year. Yes, it’s a dirt open wheel car but the Midget drives way different than a Sprint Car. Different seat than I normally run, throttle position and steering position and all the things that I need to be comfortable. It’s a big day for me, and race of champions will be big too. So what did I learn? I think our cars get around the track the way their cars have all year and I’m pretty damn excited.”
Thomas Meseraull, Stealth-Engler
“Practice was pretty good and that kind of sets the vibe of the week. If you suck in practice, you feel behind the 8 ball. I feel like we were one of the fastest cars, and I say that without seeing any times. I feel good about the day.”
Santino Ferrucci, Dave Mac Dalby Motorsports
“Well, I got to run the bottom when it was super slicked off and then a little more up top. It was super choppy in 3 and 4. Used the one caution today to my advantage to make some changes and it was much better. I feel like a better driver every time I come here and I’m excited for the week.”
Jesse Love, CB Industries
“Just getting used to the car. Chad (Boat)’s stuff is different than what I’ve raced here in the past. We were good though. It’s pretty good. I was happy with the car. We’ll have a better idea with Race of Champions and qualifying. Really happy with day one.”
The Chili Bowl Midget Nationals begins in earnest on Monday with the first of five qualifying prelim nights. Each driver has one day of the five that is their race day that determines where they start on championship Saturday.
The Chili Bowl Race of Champions is also on Monday night.
The entire event airs live on FloRacing.
Matt Weaver is a Motorsports Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.