Bixby Native Races In Chili Bowl, Competition His Grandfather Named

Bixby native Tanner Berryhill is racing in the Chili Bowl this week.

It's always special for Berryhill to come home, but he says it means even more to him to be racing in a competition his grandfather named.

Tanner's grandfather, Bob Berryhill, owned the original Chili Bowl that specialized in seasonings and pre-mixed Chili, and he sponsored the Chili Bowl Midget nationals more than 30 years ago.

Another company bought Bob's business and decided to keep the event's name the same.

"Anytime I get to come race in the Chili Bowl as a competitor, as well as my family involvement as a title sponsor 30-something years ago, it's really neat," said Berryhill.

He's racing for Second Opinion Auto Center Racing, and they know what they have in Tanner.

"For us to come up here to have a local Oklahoma person driving our car that has a history like that, we're basically kind of honored,” said Dan Harris, the owner of Second Opinion Auto Center Racing. “We don't want to tell him that, but we're honored to have him in our car."

Berryhill is racing in his 10th Chili Bowl, and this time, it's tough because he broke his foot in November.

"I've got a little contraption built for my race shoes, so we should be in good shape when it comes to race time," Berryhill said.

His team knows the work Tanner has put in to compete this week.

"This means a lot to him, and he's been exercising, doing what he needs to do, his rehab trying to make sure he can drive the car while he was here," said Harris.

As a competitor, Tanner expects only one outcome at the end of the Chili Bowl.

"My expectations are always to win," said Berryhill.

Tanner wants to continue pursuing sprint racing and is in the fast lane to more races.

“I'd always like to run at Eldora, Knoxville Nationals,” he said. “Those are probably my bucket list races at this point."