True bonding happens when one offers unconditional help. The 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals witnessed many spectacular moments. These include Cup Series star Kyle Larson holding off hard-charging dirt racers and Christopher Bell proving that he still has the fire in him after a two-year break. Aside from these glamorous racing moments, a specific act of kindness also captured the fans’ attention.

There were almost 390 participants in the Super Bowl of Midget Racing. Among them, Santino Ferrucci was the only full-time IndyCar representative appearing to make a splash. Making his fifth appearance in the event, little did Ferrucci expect things to go haywire – but an angel in disguise came to help him.

A heartwarming moment at the Chili Bowl

True racing, or true sportsmanship rather, is visible when athletes help each other in times of distress. Such an incident unfolded at the 39th running of the Chili Bowl Nationals. Santino Ferrucci drives for A.J. Foyt Racing in IndyCar and was fresh off a 9th-place finish in the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series. He clinched 4th-place finishes in both Milwaukee races, entering the Nashville final 10th in the standings. Ferrucci sought to continue this glorious trend at the Chili Bowl. He refreshed his skills by racing the No. 16 midget car for Abacus Racing. However, the driver ran into problems.

Santino Ferrucci’s appearance at the event was marred by a wreck mid-race. The No. 16 team was left fumbling for a solution. However, Flea Ruzic was on the scene. The 51-year-old former midget car racer is a master fabricator of open-wheel race cars and parts. Ruzic helped to Ferrucci piece his car back together in a short time frame. Ferrucci wrote, “We can’t thank you enough for getting us out there. This will be one of those chili bowls that I will never forget 🙌🏻 and one of the wildest rebuilds to get racing, with a 45 minute clock. Can’t put into words how insane it was to watch!” In response, Ruzic proudly patted the Abacus Racing team on the back as well: “I don’t hang out with quitters, always make the best out of the situation no matter how dire it appears 👊🏼🤘🏼”

This heartwarming Chili Bowl moment was not over so soon, though. After Flew Ruzic extended his help, Santino Ferrucci‘s team showed him a true mark of respect. Ruzic recollected that incident: “Saturday afternoon Santino and the entire @AbacusRacing crew walked over to give me the visor off the car. Each member of the crew said thank you as they shook my hand, probably 8 or 9 guys…They coulda handed me $10k cash and i would turned it down. But the fact that they all took their time to show appreciation for my time was probably the classiest thing I’ve ever encountered at a race track!”

And the racing community tipped their hats to this exchange of respect as well.

Fans rally to salute midget star

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Flea Ruzic, although unknown in the NASCAR world, is a renowned element of the midget car racing world. He would often enter races under the pseudonym ‘Rip Jetson’, and does not want people to know his real name. Despite his concealed identity, fans love the icon nonetheless. Recently he sanctioned Keith Kunz amidst mounting criticism and then helped out Ferrucci. So somebody hailed Ruzic for elevating racing ideals at the Chili Bowl: “Another amazing @cbnationals story involving @ripjetson9 & his acts of Racing FAMILY kindness. He does miracle type work for the love of the sport. He is a good man. Media doesn’t see these types of stories.” 

Flea Ruzic’s background is not largely known to the racing world. However, the core fans are mostly aware of his amazing work nonetheless. Besides the midget racing world, Ruzic has also worked in IndyCar, and one of his associates there dropped a comment. It appears that Ruzic’s noble deeds are a known thing: “Kid was definitely an upstanding citizen in the Indycar paddock while I was working there. Just goes to show it’s not a smokeshow with this dude. Awesome story!!” What is more, the racing world waits for such heartwarming moments amidst the chaos and conflicts that unfold on racetracks. A fan observed that point: “Nothing better then the racing family and helping others. I miss those days.”

People also threw the spotlight on the Abacus Racing team. Santino Ferrucci is a high-profile IndyCar driver who just came back from a European stint. Despite his high-flying status, he and his team saluted Ruzic in the best way possible – showing their appreciation personally. A fan stressed this point: “Best gift right there. Nothing means more than genuine appreciation for your help and the God given gift you share with others than that. You are a class act my friend. Keep being that amazing person you are.” Somebody else quipped that Ferrucci was truly blessed to have Ruzic around his car. “You had the man with heart and talent on your car. 💪❤️”

Evidently, the racing community loves this Chili Bowl moment. Santino Ferrucci admittedly would carry this in his heart for years.