Auto sports in general never has been the forte for recreants. In fact, strapping oneself to a rocket ship, going hat to leather at mind-bending speeds only to get bruised and battered is not everyone’s cup of tea and it certainly isn’t something how most people imagine themselves earning a living. With the open-wheel dirt racing extravaganza of Chili Bowl dawning upon the community amidst NASCAR’s off-season, let us look at some of the most bizarre and vicious wrecks in this series’ well-curated history.

For NASCAR fans and American racing aficionados, “Rubbin is racing”. The most dramatic wrecks on the track are often career-altering incidents for the drivers that go through the situation. Each week, in each race, these special human beings literally put their lives on the line to build a legacy for themselves and captivate the masses. Now, let us come to the meat of the matter: Chili Bowl wrecks that astounded many a braveheart.

Dousing fire with fire – Jack Hewitt’s indomitable will at the Chili Bowl

Dirt racing fanatics know Jack Hewitt as not only the great Sprint car racer, Don Hewitt’s son but a proper legend in dirt racing circles. He is a two-time USAC Silver Crown Series champion in 1986 & 1987, and an All-Star Circuit of Champions champion. While his accolades speak for themselves, giving him legendary status, old Hewitt was known for his unwavering spirit and never-say-die attitude that he always brought in each of his races. Neither the competition of fiery drivers nor a quick blaze could falter the veteran’s plan.

With the racing community all in for this week’s Midget racing bonanza at Tulsa, FloRacing shared a post, about when Hewitt conquered fire with his will of stone in Ohio during the early days, not budging to the roaring blaze but instead sitting in his racecar until the safety crew doused the flames.

If you’re not blown away by that, Hewitt had another fiery encounter. Earlier in 2023, the legendary open-wheel racer, his wife, Jody, and his longtime buddy, Donnie Hewett were on their way back home after the 37th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals when their van caught fire and incinerated in a matter of minutes. While the trio managed to get out of the vehicle in the nick of time, everything inside the van was completely turned into ashes as the fuel leak got the veteran running for his life this time.

Talking about fiery fallout, who can forget Daniel Whitley’s recent C-Main vicious crash that rendered the driver upside down while his car caught on fire? Rebounding from the wall straight into his fellow driver, the young driver along with his car flipped only to land on his head only to be engulfed in flames. Seeing the dangerous wreck, the safety crew rushed to the scene and controlled the situation effectively, essentially pulling the driver out of the car after they extinguished the fire.

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Ashton Torgerson’s frightening crash at Expo Square SageNet Center

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Following the most horrific crash fans have seen in a long time, dirt racing phenom, Ashton Torgerson walked into the media center. Merely three days after the vicious crash that rendered him incapacitated with officials fearing for his life, the then 16-year-old came right back with his father to address the media and share his thoughts on his recovery phase.

While the preliminary fixture of the bonanza turned out near fatal for the youngster in his debut race in the dirt, Torgerson, a high school student is now climbing the ladder into fame. Despite being safety belted in his midget, Ashton was ejected from the race car after hitting the retaining wall, landing on the racing surface.

Even though the youngster was still talking before race officials rushed him to the hospital, the crash was so horrific many anticipated huge head trauma. But with god’s grace, the youngster returned, stronger than ever, putting his full focus on Sprint racing.

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While crashing and banging are not out of the bloom in racing, these might be some of the most vicious and troubling wrecks the community has ever come across in Chili Bowl’s 36-year-long history.