History:
2005

The Williams Grove National Open Chili Cook-Off was born on an internet message board by a bunch of fans that have 3 things in common:.......the love of sprint car racing, the love of cooking chili, and the desire to show their appreciation to the competitors of this sport of sprint car racing.

The first Cook-Off was thrown together in a matter of weeks, and held in 2005 at the Williams Grove National Open on October 1st. Some legendary competitors entered that first event, and the competition was incredibly fierce. The panel of judges included internet legend Dirty Harry, Mike Root, of The Beerhill Gang, 358 sprint car driver Chad Criswell, Grammy, a friend of the Tilton Hilton, and Sarge, a member of the Krietz Racing. When the judges were done tasting the 16 entries, Kevin Sharon and his Sea Bass Chili entry were declared the winner scoring an impressive 43 out of a possible 50 points. Nathan Gramm and his Trailer Trash Chili entry were declared the runner up in the eyes of the judges, and the Peoples Choice Award winner was a gentleman named Jammer. Jammer's sales topped the $250.00 dollar mark, easily making his entry the most popular with those in attendance.

The recipient of the money raised from the Chili Cook-off was Mike Erdley of Elizabethville, driver of the Lisi Shell #11, owned by Randy Lisi. Brook Weibly of York Springs also took home some extra money as the second non-qualifier. Over $1300 was raised through the cook-off, raffle, 50/50 and the money given back by the winner of the 50/50 and money raised in a collection that was taken up for the cause.

2005 Champion

Kevin Sharon - Sea Bass Chili

Runner-up
Nathan Gramm - Trailer Trash Chili

People's Choice

Jon Armstrong-Jammer's Chili

2006

If you missed the 2006 edition of the National Open Chili Cook-Off at Williams Grove Speedway, you missed out on an historic event.

Over 20 chili chefs cooked up their best batch of chili for judging and consumption. The raffle table was packed with booty, with nearly every Posse race team in competition donating something to the cause. The 50/50 drawing rose to over $800.00 and of course the lucky winner donated the winnings back to the fund raising event.

At the end of the day $6400.00 was raised and distributed to non-qualifiers and other organizations. The fans of Central PA racing showed once again how dedicated they are to this sport and its competitors.

Despite the less than perfect weather the fans of Central PA racing turned out and made it a wonderful day. Many thanks go out to all who participated, donated, judged, volunteered, or simply observed. Sprint car hot shoes Doug Esh, Chad Layton, and Billy Kimmel helped out by donating their time for an autograph session. We owe each of them a sincere thank you.

Included below are the results of the chili competition and the totals of money paid to local racers.

Once again, many thanks to all who were even remotely involved in making the 2006 National Open Chili Cook-Off a success. We look forward to the 2007 edition, and hope to see you there.

2006 National Open Chili Cook-Off Results

Judged Chili

1st - Belly Flop Chili, Dan Richcreek


2nd - Red Land Chili, Matt Achey
3rd - Backdraft Chili, Frank Krammer
4th - SeaBass Chili, Kevin Sharon

Peoples Choice

1st - Jammer’s GOT POSSE? Chili, Jon Armstrong


2nd - Baltimore Billy’s Soup Kitchen, Baltimore Billy Harding
3rd - Red Land Chili
4th - Trailer Trash Chili, Nathan Gramm

Best Booth

1st - Tilton Hilton, Brent Leach
2nd - Baltimore Billy's Soup Kitchen
3rd - TrailerTrash Chili

Money Raised Payout

1st Non-Qualifier, Todd Shaffer


2nd Non-Qualifier, Jim Siegel


3rd Non-Qualifier, Niki Young


4th Non-Qualifier, Craig Keel


$450.00 to the York County Racing Club
$450.00 to the Kevin Gobrecht memorial Scholarship Fund

2007

2007 National Open Chili Cook-Off Results

Judged Chili

1st - Backdraft Chili, Frank Kramer


2nd - Just Good Chili, Todd & Missy Daniels
3rd - Trailer Trash Chili, Nathan Gramm
4th - Belly Flop Chili, Dan Richcreek
5th - Tailtank Chili, John Woltman(Team Hoosier Daddy)

Peoples Choice

1st - New York Fat Boys Chili, Keith McNeal


2nd - Redland Chili, Matt & Vanessa Achey
3rd - Dirty White Boyz Chili, Scott "Pine" Robinson
4th - Jammer's Lawyers, Guns and Money Chili, Jon Armstrong
5th - Sea Bass Chili, Kevin Sharon

Best Booth

1st - Redland Chili

2nd - Trailer Trash Chili
3rd - Jammer's Lawyers, Guns and Money Chili

Money Raised Payout

1st Non-Qualifier, Cody Darrah


2nd Non-Qualifier, Stevie Smith


3rd Non-Qualifier, Don Kreitz Jr.


4th Non-Qualifier, Ryan Bohlke


5th Non-Qualifier, Mike Erdley


6th Non-Qualifier, Alan Cole


7th Non-Qualifier, Clark Simonton


47th qualifier, Kevin Nouse