Celebrating Heart River Spirits History with the Chili Bowl & Midget Racing

Midget Racing & The Chili Bowl

Midget racing is a form of dirt track motorsport that features small, high-powered, lightweight open-wheel cars. Known for their incredible speed and agility, midget cars typically run on oval tracks ranging from 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile in length. These cars are powered by four-cylinder engines that generate between 300-400 horsepower, making them incredibly fast and exciting to watch. Despite the smaller size of the cars, midget racing offers fierce competition, high-intensity action, and a dedicated fan base.

The Chili Bowl Nationals is the crown jewel of midget racing and one of the most prestigious events in motorsport. Held annually in January at the Sage Net Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this indoor dirt track race attracts the best drivers from across the world. Often referred to as the "Super Bowl of Midget Racing," the Chili Bowl draws competitors from a wide range of racing disciplines, including NASCAR, IndyCar, and World of Outlaws.

Our Journey into Midget Racing: A Family Tradition Turned Passion

The story of Heart River Spirits is intertwined with a deep love for midget racing. Scott and Connie Beierle, the owners of Big Dog Distillery, have long been involved in the sport. Before owning a car, the Beierle's supported their children as they competed in thrilling races, including the legendary Chili Bowl Nationals. These early years laid the foundation for what would become an enduring passion and commitment to the sport.

Five years ago, the Beierles took their involvement to the next level by owning and operating their very own midget race car. This milestone marked a new chapter in their journey, combining their entrepreneurial spirit with their love for racing.

Meet Our Driver: Clinton Boyles

Behind the wheel of our car is the talented Clinton Boyles, a seasoned racer with over 20 years of experience. Currently, Boyles is an announcer for Floracing and a full-time crew chief for the World of Outlaws Racing Series. He’s been driving for the Beierles for the past 5 years.

Although Boyles is involved in many aspects of racing, including sprint car racing, he’s expressed his love for midget racing.

Our Chili Bowl Legacy: A Showcase of Grit & Speed

The Chili Bowl Nationals, one of the most prestigious events in midget racing, has played a central role in our racing story. It’s where the Beierle family first made their mark in the sport, and it remains a significant part of our racing calendar today.

Since our start in midget racing in 2020, we’ve had some real notable moments, Chili Bowl especially. In 2022, we finished 7th in our qualifying race on Friday, starting us in the B-mains for Saturday. Boyles gave a repeat performance in 2023, finishing in 9th on Friday and starting in B-mains again on Saturday. In midget racing terms, this means we made it to the semi finals two years in a row.

Although we’ve had a wonderful track record, the high intensity nature of the sport can yield chaotic results. In 2024, a broken fuel pump kept us off the track for the main event race on Saturday. We’ve also had our fair share of wrecks. This year after a wreck and a tire mishap, we were unable to race once again on Saturday night for the main event race.

Despite these set backs, being a midget racer means keeping in good “spirits". Wrecks, car complications, and tire mishaps can’t rattle you. Our near constant supply of rum and moonshine is a real life-saver in that sense. Heart River Spirits keeps the crew in good “spirits” as well as stokes their passion for midget racing. If anyone asks that’s our secret weapon.

 We will be back on the track next year to take our shot for the A-mains at the 2026 Chili Bowl. See you then…