went to the chili bowl yesterday, and crossed paths with Tony Stewart after,s he sat out this year for health reasons, but took on the role of prepping the track. the god damn dude worked 12-14 hours every day this week working the track. anyway, I've always loved the chili bowl. It's a fun experience, and I'd suggest anyone who loves racing and party rockin to attend at some point in their life.
P.S. No female assassins were in attendance, that I saw.
I've always wondered about the fumes. It seems like going to the Chili Bowl is what it would be like living inside of a cigarette.
it's a little different, because I hate being in insanely smokey bars now (you can still smoke in bars in Tulsa) but don't mind being in there at all. for most people, the fumes are the worst part, and it's the only part that has ever got to me (they burn straight methanol, so it'll get to your eyes). but the only other time it can be annoying is on long runs after multiple races and the track goes dry slick, the dust can be irritating. But for the most part, they re-work the track throughout the day and it never gets too bad. I wouldn't really compare any of it to living inside a heater, tho.
you can also upgrade to a pit pass, or just do a pit pass, so you walk right out of the bleachers and into the pits to get away for a few if the fumes get to you. you can go meet/hang out with Kasey Kahne, Kyle Larson, Tony, Kenny Wallace, Ricky Stenhouse, etc. it's a pretty cool experience.